Best Western Crystal Palace Hotel

The location of this hotel was excellent and easily accessible from the airport via the airport bus. It is also close to the Torino Porta Nuova railway station making excursions out of the city a doddle. It is also very walkable to the historic centre with nowhere taking more than 20 - 25 minutes of direct walk, although you can easily get distracted by all the wonderful sights of the city. We had a room on the 5th floor, the same floor as the breakfast room. As it is on the top floor, the ceiling of the room was high but the side towards the window was vaulted. The room was fairly spacious. However, because of the vault or sloping ceiling, there wasn’t enough room for an easy chair. We did miss not having somewhere to sit down after a long day of walking around the city. The bathroom was big with a jacuzzi bath. However the beams of the ceiling got in the way of reaching the actual shower heads. It made taking a shower a bit awkward. We didn’t use the jacuzzi feature - it uses too much water, but it felt nice and spacious when we tried lying in it. The bed was comfortable and we slept pretty well. The breakfast was served in a buffet style and we liked what was on offer. It was mainly continental, ie no full English, but there were bacon/sausages and scrambled eggs. There was plenty of choice and I especially liked the local cheeses. Don’t be surprised if you see pastries on the table which are labelled as “Croissante” but are filled with jam, Nutella or pistachio cream. They are not a poor imitation of the French version. Instead they are very much Italian from a different baking tradition. They are cousins to the French ones and are delicious in a different way. The staff was helpful and friendly. The coffee offered by the waiter tasted better than the self-service one. This is curious, as he also made it from a machine in the kitchen. Maybe it has a higher spec. He was very friendly and remembered our choices by day 3. The surrounding area may seem a little dilapidated, but Italy can look like that sometimes. Other reviewers commented that there were “dodgy-looking characters” walking or hanging around. What you need to understand sit in the area, San Salvario, which is a working residential district. You won’t find the international shops there and the atmosphere is therefore, less glam. At no point during our stay, and walking around there after 10 pm, did we feel unsafe. Turin was stiflingly hot at that time with most days reaching 36oC. People naturally will be out on the streets in the evenings to enjoy the cooler air and chat. People from countries which don’t have that habit, or where they drive even half a mile, will look upon these scenes as “areas full of dodgy characters”. We liked this place and would happily stay here again.

A few meters from Porta Nuova Station and not far from the main tourist attractions, a good 4* at affordable prices, with comfortable rooms equipped with everything. Friendly staff, impeccable cleanliness.

Location just a few meters from the side exit of the Porta Nuova train station, making this hotel ideal for those traveling by train. Like all hotels adjacent to major stations, one cannot exclude some less-than-ideal presence in the area (but I had the impression of a fairly well-patrolled area by law enforcement). Taxi station just a few meters away. Stops for many public transport options just a few meters away. Courteous and professional reception. At the reception, they provide all useful information, including a list of restaurants and pizzerias (many of which are within walking distance), including important venues and/or simpler and more economical places. Spacious room on two levels, well-furnished, small external balcony, with excellent soundproofing, adequate thermal insulation, efficient air conditioning (although centrally managed, so if you want to change the temperature, you need to ask at the reception), efficient Wifi. Large desk if you need to work. Courtesy water (large glass bottle) and a minibar with the usual products. Paper cups. Very comfortable bed and a selection of pillows. Bathrobe and sponge slippers available. Spacious wardrobe with wooden hangers and a safe. TV with a very large screen. Large bathroom, good quality towel set, usual bathroom products in a 4-star hotel. Breakfast room on the 5th floor. Good breakfast, with a decent availability of options; the espresso coffee products prepared at the bar are appreciated, although the classic machine is available for self-service in the room. Double elevator with minimal wait times. Correct cost-quality ratio.