Hotel Kennedy is a conventional hotel with a Ravenna address, the sort of place that suits travellers who come for the mosaics and want a dependable room, a reception desk and breakfast rather than a historic palace. Ravenna is a small, flat city, and its eight early Christian and Byzantine monuments, which are listed together as a World Heritage site, sit within a short walk or an easy cycle of one another. That makes the choice of hotel less dramatic than in a city of steep hills and long transfers, and a practical hotel can be a very good choice. The information available for this property is limited to its name and city, so the notes here are general guidance, and you should confirm the exact location, the room types, the facilities and the policies when you book. Ask how far it is on foot from the railway station and from the central squares, whether it has a lift, and whether the rate includes breakfast. Those details matter more than the name when you are planning several days of walking between basilicas, baptisteries and mausoleums.
Ravenna rewards slow, well-organised sightseeing. The great mosaics are in San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the two Baptisteries, the Archiepiscopal Chapel and the basilicas of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo and Sant'Apollinare in Classe, which sits a short ride outside the centre. Many of the central sights share a combined ticket arrangement, and opening hours vary through the day, so a base within walking distance of the centre saves time. Ask the hotel for the walking time to the main monuments and whether it can recommend routes and opening times.
Cycling is part of life in Ravenna, and many hotels in the city offer bicycles or can point you to a hire shop. If you plan to cycle, ask about secure storage and whether bicycles are available to guests. If you drive, ask about parking, since the historic centre has restricted traffic zones and parking rules can be confusing. Many visitors arrive by train, in which case the distance from the station to the hotel is an important detail to check.
Plan your visit to take advantage of the light. Mosaics look different in morning light and in the late afternoon, and the churches can be quiet early in the day. In the evening, Ravenna is a lively town for a stroll, with wine bars and restaurants serving the cuisine of Romagna, including fresh pasta, piadina and seafood from the nearby coast.
A day trip to the beaches of the Adriatic or to the pine forest of the Pineta di Classe makes a pleasant break from sightseeing. Book ahead for spring and autumn weekends and check the cancellation terms before you confirm.
Why stay here
- ✓Ravenna address
- ✓Staffed hotel reception
- ✓Check distance to the mosaics when you book
- ✓Check breakfast when you book
- ✓Check parking when you book
- ✓Check lift access when you book
- ✓Check bicycle options when you book
- ✓Suits first-time visitors and families
Good questions
Is Hotel Kennedy close to the mosaics?+
Check the exact location when you book. Ravenna is compact, but walking times to the main monuments vary from one hotel to another.
Is parking available?+
Parking varies and the historic centre has traffic restrictions, so check the details when you book.
Who is it best for?+
Travellers who want a practical, mid-range base for a few days of sightseeing, including first-time visitors and families.
