Savhotel Mantegna Padova

Savhotel Mantegna Padova takes its name from Andrea Mantegna, the Renaissance painter who trained in Padua and left frescoes in the city that changed the course of Italian art. It is a comfortable, mid-range hotel in the central part of town, and it suits visitors who want a dependable base rather than a historic palace, with the old centre within reach and the practicality of a modern city hotel. Padua is a compact university city, and from a central address most of what visitors come to see is a walk or a short tram ride away. The Scrovegni Chapel with its Giotto frescoes, the Palazzo della Ragione and the markets of Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta, the university buildings around Palazzo Bo, the great Basilica of St Anthony and the open oval of Prato della Valle all sit within the old centre. Arcaded streets make the walk pleasant in rain or heat, and cafes and wine bars fill the squares in the evening. Expect a hotel of its class: private bathrooms, air conditioning, a breakfast room and a reception that can help with tickets, taxis and restaurant bookings. Rooms are typically practical rather than grand, and sizes vary by category, so read the details when you book.

The Scrovegni Chapel is the sight that most visitors plan around, because entry is by timed ticket and the visit is short, so book the slot before you choose your hotel dates. The same applies to the Palazzo Bo anatomy theatre, which is visited on a guided tour. Having a comfortable base in the centre makes it easy to fit these timed visits around long lunches and slow afternoons.

Many guests combine Padua with a day trip to Venice, which is about half an hour away by train, and a hotel within reach of the station or a tram stop keeps that simple.

Food in Padua is excellent value. Look for bigoli with duck ragu, risotto with seasonal vegetables, boiled meats served with sauces in the traditional trattorias, and a spritz in the squares, where Padua's students and office workers gather at aperitivo hour. The markets around Piazza delle Erbe sell cheese, cured meats, vegetables and flowers in the mornings and are a good place to pick up a picnic for a day on the Brenta canal or in the Euganean Hills.

Practical points are worth checking before you go. Ask whether breakfast is included and what it offers, whether the hotel has parking and what it costs, and whether a lift serves all floors. Central Padua has limited traffic zones, so if you arrive by car, ask the hotel for the best route and parking advice before you reach the centre. Most visitors arrive by train, and the hotel can explain the walk or tram ride from the station.

Padua gets busy when fairs, university events and pilgrimages coincide, particularly around the feast of St Anthony in June, when rooms near the Basilica fill early. Weekdays can be busy with business travellers, while weekends are sometimes cheaper outside event dates. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking, and summer can be hot, so air conditioning matters. Flexible rates are worth looking at if your plans may change.

Overall this is a sensible choice for first-time visitors, art lovers and couples who want comfort and convenience at a fair price. Travellers who want to sleep beside the Basilica, in a boutique palace or at a spa resort in the Euganean Hills will find other options in this guide, but for an easy central base for the frescoes, markets and day trips, it does the job well.