Grand Hotel Duchi d'Aosta, Trieste

This is the only hotel on one of the great imperial squares of Habsburg Europe. That's worth half the fee. Inside it's a semi-grand late 19th Cent. hotel. Some rooms are a little small; our suite was delightful. Many look out over the square and are sufficiently sound-proof for that to be a large plus. Service is unusually agreeable, and return guests are recognized. The restaurant--also with tables on the square--is one of the better in town (Trieste has good food, especially seafood), though certainly some others have more character. All in all, strongly recommended for a short or long stay