Ai Giardini di San Vitale0

A little gem hiding behind a modest street frontage this hotel (or B&B) makes a happy comparison with the faceless hotels of the international chains. The welcome is warm, the hosts are helpful and accommodating and our room and bathroom were generous. If the weather had been better we would have made more use of the charming garden. Most of the major sites, and the town centre, are only minutes away on foot, as are excellent restaurants recommended by the host.

As a 'mature' Italian property it has the inevitable eccentricities around the plumbing. In this case the hot water supply. But the hosts have provided instructions which, if followed, overcome any shortcomings.

It was very close to town but not right in the middle. An easy walk. Not a cook to order breakfast, Continental type breakfast with coffee. It was perfect for what I needed. My room was just off the main room so it was a little noisy. It was fine for me. It did feel like I was staying in someone's home. Good option before a cruise to see Ravenna. The town is charming with lots of cafes and beautiful buildings to explore. The beach is not too far away. Taxis are very limited. Best to have transportation arranged in advance. The owner was very kind to help me arrange transportation back to the airport in Bologna when my luggage was lost.

This was a very pleasant property in a lovely city. We were surprised by how much we enjoyed the city of Ravenna, not even counting the frescoes. The location was good as long as one liked to walk, as it was a couple of blocks from the entry to the historical center. The parking was a few houses away in a communal space, but you couldn’t drive into the center. The host was welcoming and gave us good restaurant advice.

There were some ways this property could be made better. The yard outside our room was fairly unkempt and needed something to sit on to be inviting. our room was downstairs and there was a sitting area next to it, but it also could have been made more inviting.

The B&B is beautifully located in an absolute quiet surrounding, with a beautiful garden and several places to take breakfast on different level terraces either in front of some rooms or the breakfast room. The most impressive byzantine mosaics are reachable within a 10 minute walk . Rooms are given flower names and come with single or double bed options and a small bathroom. The largest room named Amaryllis is located on the garden level and has a terrace in front of the fully glazed room wall to the garden. Very romantic and definitely the best place to stay during the hot summer. An occasionally visible rabbit passing the terrace on its hunt for fruits from a shrub planted next to the walls of the next level (street level) terrace or visiting the garden completes the romantic experience. For the automn season the higher level rooms (street or 1st floor) may be the preferred selection as they come with big windows catching the last sun of the season. Parking is arranged by the owner in a nearby backyard reachable within walking distance of not more than 50 m.

Considering the interest of other guests in the garden it would be nice to have a light transparent curtain in the Amaryllis room too to prevent the guest from curiosity of other guests visiting the garden.

The garden was outstanding/so relaxing (and home to the fattest rabbit I have ever seen!), the hosts couldn't do enough for us (very helpful with restaurant recommendations, breakfast, choice of rooms as each one is different, etc.) -- and once we found the shortcut, the sites of interest were even closer than we had thought.

This is not a criticism -- but just a note for future guests...the property is on a side street and the garden is in the back of the property, so at first glance, the curb appeal doesn't do it justice. But once you're in the front door, the experience is exceptional.

The hotel is a converted church -which makes for some surprising nooks and corners, but it has been beautifully done. The great thing is the location -the gardens are quiet and there is a lovely view across them to San Vitale. There is a big terrace for breakfast -which is simple but good.

Guests should realise that this is a small, family run hotel. We loved that but if you want speedy room service or a bar this is not for you. Quiet, slightly old-world is the keynote.

Everything was quite good, the hosts are friendly and the facilities very clean. A delicious breakfast out in the beautiful terrace was a great treat. Bonus for giving us extra pillows - thanks!

Just a few things to consider maybe: 1- the wall sockets could have more space to connect 2x chunky plugs, and maybe USB directly. 2- the shower cubicle could be more spacious. 3- brown bread available for breakfast.

I had a comfortable double room with a view from two windows of the large, pleasant garden and the pet hare chomping the rose bushes or sleeping in the shade. The breakfast was served buffet style and there were many choices, you could breakfast in the garden. The Old Town centre, most of the UNESCO World Heritage mosaic sites, good restaurants and cafes were all within walking distance. the rooms were very clean and the owners and staff very pleasant

There was nothing to dislike.I

We had a great stay at Ai Giardini di San Vitale! We stayed there as the first stop on our honeymoon. The owners were wonderfully helpful throughout our stay and gave great recommendations for dinner and things to do in Ravenna. They also literally SAVED our honeymoon when we couldn’t get a taxi to take us to the cruise port. They tried to find a taxi for us and when none were available they took us there themselves! Apparently Ravenna didn’t have enough taxis operating on a Sunday to service the cruise ship and a busy beach. We also loved the morning breakfast on the back patio overlooking the courtyard and a very friendly rabbit. It was a relaxing way to start the day! The location is on a quieter street but is only a quick walk to many restaurants and historic sites in Ravenna.

- very good breakfast - free baby cot - exemplary cleaning - parking in a nearby yard which closes at night - large room with access to the garden - beautiful garden with flowers, trees and a rabbit

- quite narrow steps - we also had a pram, but we managed it - I don't know if it's necessarily negative, but - we paid for a triple room (with a single bed and a large bed) and, on their own initiative, we received instead a room with a single large bed and a baby cot - the gesture was nice, only that it would have been nice to be asked, not to be put in front of the accomplished fact