The four floors of the Best Western Bologna Hotel - Mestre Station underwent major renovations in 2007 and the construction took the building from a basic chain hotel to a stylish and modern property. The cool, gray lobby is accented with floor-to-ceiling pillars and a natural granite front desk. A flat-screen TV, shelves stocked with books, leather club furniture (albeit slightly worn) in shades of chocolate and orange, and an abstract painting on the wall make the space comfortable to linger. Da Tura restaurant looks more like a casual cafeteria than a fine-dining establishment, particularly given its tired plastic banquette seating. The pretty white bar area has a sleeker, more distinctive feel.

The Best Western Bologna Hotel - Mestre Station is located directly across the street from the train station the hotel is named after. Let's face it, train station neighborhoods aren't usually designed with aesthetics in mind, and this one is no different. There's a general bustle and noise of people hurrying to catch a train and a few shops and restaurants selling to-go items quickly. Noise from the train isn't an issue inside the hotel.

There are 109 rooms and suites at the Best Western Bologna Hotel - Mestre Station and each is decorated in a contemporary design style (think fresh white bedding, light wood floors, and colorful accent walls). Look carefully at what's available before booking, as there are seven different types of suites and rooms with a variety of bed sizes from singles to kings. Rooms come standard with hardwood floors, flat-screen TVs with satellite cable channels, and minibars. The views are lacking, though, as there isn't a great one in the house. And some guests complain of thin walls between the rooms.

Bathrooms in the Look Rooms have a sleek look, with natural stone throughout, but only have walk-in showers. For those guests who want tubs, the Avant Rooms offer bathrooms with either shower/tub combos or separate showers and tubs. The design scheme in these bathrooms is quite vibrant (think blue and white stripes).

The Best Western Bologna Hotel - Mestre Station makes it easy for guests to get to Venice via the train station across the street, as the staff sells tickets at the reception desk and provides maps of the island. Breakfast at Da Tura restaurant is included in the price of the room, as is Wi-Fi. There's a communal laptop and printer in the lobby, plus a meeting room for business travelers. Da Tura serves traditional Italian cuisine in a contemporary (albeit somewhat generic) setting and offers wine, cocktails, and bar snacks until midnight, along with room service.