I have a policy on the blog that I only review hotels I really like; places I want to – and do! – return to again and again. It was my third stay at Grand Hotel Sitea in Turin a couple of weeks ago and without doubt I’d choose to stay there again next time I’m in Turin. It manages to wonderfully combine luxury with friendliness, and its situation is so ideal you couldn’t find a better located hotel to stay – only minutes from the main sites; just a 5-minute walk from the beautiful Piazza San Carlo.

A 5* neoclassical hotel housed in a former palazzo, it opened in the 1920s. Its decor celebrates that history with a sense of style and tradition, but it operates in a fully modern way offering its guests all the mod cons they expect, a very efficient WiFi system and impeccable service that’s never pompous and always friendly.

I don’t normally stay in such luxury, but I first chose it because it looked so lovely, was in a great location and I got a fantastic deal booking it with my flight via British Airways back in October 2016. I got similarly good deal on my second trip in March 2017 but when booking this last one, I found booking direct with the hotel gave me a better price (click here for their website).

I wanted to go back to lovely Turin but I have to confess to being tempted also by a weekend of luxury at Grand Hotel Sitea! Living alone and often travelling alone, I like to stay in a nice hotel where someone will ‘look after me’ in the sense of making my bed, tidying my room, getting me a lovely breakfast and passing a few friendly words when I go in and out of the hotel. I like to stay where the room is nice enough for you to want to spend a couple of hours there in the afternoon relaxing after a morning of sightseeing and before going out for the evening; a room it’s a pleasure to be in. For that reason I often make a choice of three nights of luxury over a week of frugality!

Turin isn’t a hot tourist spot – which is a large part of why I like it; you shop, eat in restaurants and cafes, and have a drink with largely locals. And I think it’s also why a lovely hotel like Grand Hotel Sitea is reasonably priced for what it offers and would cost a lot more in a more popular city.

There are wonderful open sitting areas with large comfy sofas.

In this area (below) you can eat breakfast, get a snack or drink, and look out on to the patio garden.

There’s a cosy bar for drinks, snacks, coffee and aperitivo.

There’s a nice touch of luxury in the corridors leading to rooms.

I like to have a ‘Comfort Small Double for Single Use’ because I don’t like sleeping in single beds (€116 per night including breakfast). I’ve had the same room each time. The second time I asked for it because it was lovely but also looked over the back on to the courtyard; the third time they just gave it to me! And even said ‘welcome back’ when I arrived.

There’s a tray with kettle, cups and a few complimentary sachets of tea and coffee and some complimentary bottles of water. I really like it when I get a kettle! It’s so nice to be able to make your own hot drink early morning, late at night or when you go back in the afternoon.

The bathroom is nicely fitted and decorated with plump towels and complimentary toiletries and a hair dryer. There are slippers and a big fluffy dressing gown.

Breakfast is a huge and gorgeous buffet. You can sit in the area mentioned above or this more formal room, which I like, and it looks over the patio area outside. You help yourself from the buffet but a waiter will bring you tea or coffee and there’s a menu of cooked food if you want extra (though it’s hard to see how the buffet wouldn’t be enough!).

The buffet is huge and full of wonderful fresh produce, including fresh fruit, juices, yoghurts, local cheeses and traditional foods.

There are excellent pastries, and freshly made cakes.

Different breads and rolls and a fine choice of cold meats, cheeses, etc. They will also make you a coffee and I had an excellent Illy cappuccino each morning. Often hotel coffee is a bit grim but Grand Hotel Sitea’s is very good.

There is a smart Michelin starred restaurant and a bistrot, though I’ve never eaten ‘in’ as I prefer to go out to eat.

It’s so central that for a short trip it’s great to be able to come and go easily; you can pop back with some shopping or just to rest your feet for a half hour or so. And it’s a very inviting sight coming back in the evening; warm and welcoming and always an ‘hello’ from the reception staff.

Grand Hotel Sitea is definitely one of my favourite hotels.