Delightful medieval charm in the heart of Gubbio
The Hotel Relais Ducale is located across from the Piazza Grande in the historic part of Gubbio. The hotel is in a 300-year-old building that eloquently combines medieval character with modern conveniences.
Each room in the hotel has its own characteristics and the options range from “Economy” to “Superior Suites”. The hotel has a lovely terrace, a roof garden and provides panoramic views of Gubbio from many of their rooms.
The Bottom Line
The Hotel Relais Ducale is an excellent option for a hotel in a perfect location in the heart of Gubbio. The hotel provides beautiful views of Gubbio and at a reasonable cost.
Hotel Brand Affiliation
The Relais Ducale hotel is part of the Mencarelli Group and can’t be booked with hotel points. However, it can be booked through the hotel’s website, a hotel service, like booking.com, or by using Capital One points at a 1 cent value ratio.
Hotel Review
The entrance to the hotel is through the Ducale coffee shop (a good place to stop for an afternoon expresso.) It is across from the Piazza Grande, one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. The cobblestone streets to reach the hotel are narrow, and the check-in desk will direct you to a parking area nearby once you drop off your belongings.
I stayed in a Deluxe Superior room and was delighted to discover the room retained the architectural beauty of the original building. The ceilings are made of stone and wood arches and I felt like I had stepped back in time (with all the modern conveniences, of course). The room overlooked the terrace with views of Gubbio in the distance. There was a nook in the room that held a desk and chair and the closet and bathroom both had tile arch ceilings.
One negative of the room is the furniture is very basic, but possibly antique. Some features of the room, such as the bed coverings, are a bit outdated.
The hotel has a secret passageway that looks like a tunnel and they encourage guests to explore it (I confess – I was a bit hesitant to explore it on my own!)
The breakfast room was nothing special, nor was the breakfast, but it was satisfactory and had everything I needed to feel satisfied.
Things to Do
There is so much to do in this area, and I regretted only staying one night. I highly recommend spending at least 2 full days exploring Gubbio or stay longer and use Gubbio as your base for exploring the Umbria region of Italy.
For a sampling of activities in Gubbio, please visit our Gubbio Destination Review.
Pros
- Excellent location in the heart of historic Gubbio and walking distance from most sites
- Good price point for hotel quality
- The hotel is an excellent example of Gubbio's medieval charm and historical significance
- Beautiful terrace and roof garden with panoramic views
- Staff is very helpful and friendly
- Rooms were clean and comfortable
Cons
- There are several low arches, including in some of the bathrooms, that may be difficult to navigate for tall people.
- Due to the building's age, the structure is convoluted and requires navigation up and down several staircases. This hotel may be challenging for someone with mobility limitations.
- Some aspects of the hotel are showing age and need to be refreshed and updated. I would consider this a 3-star hotel. However, the reasonable price and excellent location help outweigh the dated furnishings.
- The church bells chime during the night, so if you are sensitive to noise, this might not be a good location for you.
- Parking for the hotel is a 10 minute walk from the property. Of course, this may also be considered a "Pro" as the village is a delight to walk through.
Travel Tips
- Consider staying multiple nights and use the hotel as a home-base for exploring Umbria.
- If you are tall, ask for a room without an arched ceiling in the shower.
- I suggest booking a Deluxe room or above. The “Economy” and “Comfort” rooms are very small. However, they may be perfect for a solo traveler.
- Ask for a room at the back of the hotel if you are bothered by noise.
- Enjoy a drink on the terrace and stay for views of the sunset.