'Gray Matter'

The gray building known as the AC Hotel in Bologna looms over the tennis courts in front of it, casting an ominous shadow over terracotta rooftops. It may not compliment the architecture of this medieval city, but it is one of Bologna’s most modern and luxurious hotels.

I got word only a few weeks ago that I would be traveling to Bologna again, my second time in the last six months, to attend an annual party. Complete with live music, food, wine, art and fashion, the 10-hour bash would take place at the Impero Villa.

I imagined that I would spend my short stay in a hotel typical of most European cities: a small accommodation with paper thin walls, classic fixtures and a narrow staircase in place of an elevator.

But AC Hotel was different.

New, urban and cosmopolitan is at the heart of the hotel chain’s mission. With locations in Spain, Italy and Portugal, AC Hotels redefines luxury with its state of the art services and rooms designed for comfort.

I held my breath as I swiped the room door open with the key card.

Soft. Inviting. Modern. A cream curtain covered the length of a wall with windows, filtering only soft light into the room. A minimalist black chair with foot stool and a longer black stool for my luggage were the other pieces of furniture in addition to the bed. An ample-sized closet opened with the pull of a sliding door.

Eco-friendly. The lights and power in the room needed the key card to be inserted through a slot by the door in order to activate. Without the key card, all electric powered fixtures would turn off after five minutes or so. While the idea is not altogether new for most European buildings, the feature was helpful in lighting the room when entering into the bedroom at night.

Sleek. Chic. A sink made completely of glass allowed me to stare at the dark hardwood floors of the bathroom as I watched my hands. The bathroom “curtain” was a thick panel of glass that extended halfway across the tub. A directional shower, complimentary soaps and toothbrushes were thoughtful touches.

Making my way to the exercise room on the top floor and later to the ground floor restaurant, I had no idea what else was in store on this business trip.

To be continued...

-S. Gonzalez