NH Torino Santo Stefano

The NH Torino Santo Stafano hotel is situated in a large corner building with a cream-colored facade accented by a unique central section made of brick and topped with a fifth floor balcony. The hotel has a five-story central atrium lobby and simple decor that mixes classic Mediterranean style with clean, modern details. A gray-tiled floor meets coral-colored walls, while distinctive globe lights -- a conglomerate of smaller bulbs -- hang over stone reception desks. The glass ceiling lets in lots of natural light, and the five stories of circling wood stairs are particularly impressive. While there's no seating in the lobby, the hotel's pleasant outdoor courtyard is surrounded by interior walkways with lots of seating and huge windows. The bar is chic, with modern cylindrical pendant lights, leathery brown barstools, and a beautiful wooden piano. With it's proximity to Turin's attractions, this hotel is a hotspot for tourists and leisure travelers, though it gets its share of business guests, too.

The hotel is exceptionally located in the center of Turin's Roman Quarter and within easy walking distance of bars, restaurants, shops, and sights. The Palatine Gate, with its stone street and small park, are just across the street, creating a pleasant ambiance around the hotel. The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist is a two-minute walk away, while the Turin Royal Palace can be reached in four minutes on foot. Guests can get to the Mole Antonelliana and the Egyptian Museum in under 15 minutes on foot. Buses and trams stop about a block away from the hotel, and though the Porta Nuova and Porta Susa train stations are a bit of a hike on foot, they can be reached by public transportation in about 15 minutes. Turin Airport is about a 20-minute drive. The hotel offers an airport shuttle as well as underground parking, though these cost an extra fee.

The hotel's 125 guest rooms feature modern, minimalist decor that can be a bit bland in lower tier Standard Rooms, but gains character as the room size and category goes up. Standard Rooms are tastefully done, but somewhat stark, with white walls and bedding paired with gray-black furniture. The silver gooseneck reading lamps and pendant globe lights add a stylish modern air, while the wood floors are a homey alternative to carpeting. Some of the hotel's best rooms include the spacious attic suites with wood-beam ceilings, wood furniture, and stylish seating like clean modern armchairs and button-tufted benches. Bathrooms are modern and tend to be roomy, with farmhouse sinks, toilets, bidets, and standing showers, though some also have tubs. All rooms include flat-screen satellite TVs, desks and chairs, and wardrobes with safes, along with minibars stocked with beer and non-alcoholic beverages. Not all rooms have coffeemakers, however. Wi-Fi is free, but can be slow, while premium Internet incurs an extra fee. Rooms are air-conditioned, but some guests have complained that units work poorly.

The hotel has a pleasant restaurant serving local cuisine and a chic bar with a piano. Guests tend to be satisfied with the free breakfast, which serves up standards like fruit, breads, and pastries, along with made-to-order eggs. Room service is available (with limited hours). An outdoor courtyard features an ivy-covered walkway, gazebo, and modern white chairs, ideal for relaxing outdoors, while the fifth floor has a balcony that offers lovely city views. Five event rooms have space for 250 people and the hotel has a range of audiovisual and business-related equipment for conferences and meetings. Other services include babysitting, bike rentals, laundry and dry cleaning, and airport transfers, plus dogs and cats are allowed for a fee. Indoor parking is available on-site, but this also costs an extra fee. Weekend perks include extended breakfast hours and free late checkout on Sundays. Wi-Fi is free, but guests have complained about slow speeds. Note that there is no fitness center.