Hotel Rua Frati 48 in San Francesco
Old-world Italian palazzo meets contemporary luxury. Formal but not cold — the staff (Andrea gets mentioned by name in dozens of reviews) are known for genuine warmth. The building is handsome and serious; the experience is more intimate boutique than grand chain.
Book a suite category or above to get the frescoed ceilings — standard rooms are comfortable but more neutral
Why It Matters
One of only two or three serious luxury options in Modena, and the most central. Sitting in the Michelin Guide selection. The Locanda in San Francesco restaurant celebrates Emilian cuisine with housemade pasta and local products. Osteria Francescana is a 5-minute walk.
A 16th-century Renaissance palazzo in the San Francesco district of central Modena, converted into a small luxury hotel with 30 rooms and suites. The original architecture — frescoed ceilings, parquet floors, wood-paneled boiserie — stays intact while the interiors got a thorough modern overhaul: Frau leather armchairs, Technogym fitness equipment, and whirlpool tubs in the bathrooms. The Presidential Suite takes things further, with a marble fireplace, gilt antiques, and heavy drapes that feel genuinely palatial.
Where You'll Stay
8 room types available
Deluxe Room
Standard luxury offering at this property. Individually decorated, air-conditioned, with private bathroom featuring jetted tub, Frau furnishings, and all the hotel's standard amenities.
Deluxe Twin Room
Twin configuration of the Deluxe room — same quality fittings and finishes, suited to two guests traveling together.
Twin
Junior Suite
Warm and well-sized rooms with wood paneling and Frau furnishings. Bathrooms with bidet and separate toilet. Note: one guest reported a noise issue from an HVAC unit in room 309 — resolved by the hotel with a room change.
Junior Suite Superior
A step up from the standard Junior Suite, with enhanced décor and fittings. Individually furnished with the hotel's characteristic warm-meets-modern aesthetic.
Presidential Suite (Suite Presidenziale)
The most spectacular room in the house. Frescoed ceilings, a marble fireplace, heavy drapes, and gilt antiques create a theatrical, genuinely historic atmosphere. Marble bathrooms with all modern comforts. Penthouse pricing — one guest reported paying €1,250/night.
Royal Suite
A top-tier suite option sitting just below the Presidential, with the same Renaissance-era building character. Individually decorated with premium Frau furnishings and a private bathroom with jetted tub.
Single Room
Notable for a hotel in this category: one of the single rooms reportedly comes with a private hot tub. All singles include bathrobes, toiletries, bidet, air conditioning, minibar, and flat-screen TV.
Suite
Spacious suite with warm wood boiserie paneling and modern Frau furnishings. High ceilings, tall doors, and well-appointed marble or stone bathrooms. Guests consistently praise the room size and quality of bedding.
The Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Archery sessions available at the hotel — an unusual offering for a city-center property.
Cooking classes focused on traditional Modenese cuisine, offered to guests.
A complimentary evening social held daily — a chance to mingle with staff and other guests over drinks.
Occasional live music or performance events hosted in the hotel's spaces.
The hotel maintains a private art gallery on-site, with temporary exhibitions. Provides an unexpected cultural dimension to the stay.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Three meeting rooms totaling approximately 200 square meters, suitable for conferences and corporate events.
24-hour business center with photocopier and work desks.
Continental buffet breakfast available at approximately €25–€30/person. Includes fresh fruits, local charcuterie including Culatello di Zibello and Prosciutto di Parma.
Private parking near the hotel available at approximately €50/day. Reservation required. Hotel is inside Modena's ZTL restricted zone.
A pillow menu is offered — guests consistently mention this as a highlight.
24-hour roundtrip airport shuttle to Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (~40km) available for a fee.
BUILD YOUR HOTEL RUA FRATI 48 IN SAN FRANCESCO PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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