Rosetta Hotel Perugia

Rosetta Hotel Perugia is a long-established address in the old town of Perugia, and it belongs to a worldwide collection of independent-minded hotels. It suits travellers who want a comfortable, well-run hotel in the historic centre without the price of the city's grandest palace. The old town is the reason to stay here, and from this position the best of Perugia is within a short walk. Perugia sits on a hilltop, and its historic centre is a tangle of steep lanes, stairways and arches around Corso Vannucci, the long promenade that links Piazza IV Novembre with Piazza Italia. The Fontana Maggiore, the cathedral, the Palazzo dei Priori with its National Gallery of Umbria and the Collegio del Cambio are all within easy reach on foot, and the Carducci Gardens offer a wide view over the Umbrian valley. The streets fill with students in term time and with chocolate lovers when the city hosts its famous festival. Expect a classic hotel with a polished, traditional feel, an on-site restaurant or bar, helpful reception staff and rooms that vary in size and outlook. Some rooms look over rooftops and the valley, others over the street, so it pays to ask at booking time about the view and the quietest side.

A central base makes a real difference in Perugia, because the city is built on slopes and the best time to walk its lanes is early morning and evening, when day-trippers have left and the stone glows. From a hotel in the old town you can return for a rest in the heat of the afternoon, then go out again for the passeggiata along Corso Vannucci. The city is lively at night, with wine bars, jazz venues and student cafes, so ask for a quieter room if you are a light sleeper.

Perugia is also an excellent base for Umbria. Trains run to Assisi in about twenty minutes, Spello and Spoleto are straightforward rail or bus trips, and tours reach Orvieto, Lake Trasimeno and the wine villages of Montefalco. A hotel in the centre helps with early starts, as the minimetro and escalators link the main car parks and the railway station with the old town. If you arrive by car, remember that the centre is a limited traffic zone, so ask the hotel for parking advice before you set off.

Food is a highlight. Look for strangozzi pasta with black truffle, grilled meats, lentils from Castelluccio, the flat unsalted bread that suits the local salami and cheese, and the rich local red wines, especially Sagrantino. Chocolate is the city's signature sweet, and the famous chocolate festival in October brings crowds and higher hotel rates, so book early if your dates overlap. The Umbria Jazz festival in July has a similar effect.

Practical points include luggage, as old town streets can be steep and cobbled. Ask whether the hotel has a lift and how best to reach it from the station or the car park. Taxis are available, and a short ride saves a long uphill walk with heavy bags. Check what breakfast includes when you book and compare flexible rates if your plans may change.

Overall this hotel is a good fit for couples, first-time visitors and culture lovers who want comfort and a central address. Travellers wanting a historic palace experience, a boutique feel or a countryside retreat will find other options in this guide.