🇮🇹 Turin, Italy
Balbis Choco Rooms
📍 23/f, Via Giambattista Balbis, Turin, 10144
Your stay — Balbis Choco Rooms
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Turin.
The Property — Balbis Choco Rooms
Balbis Choco Rooms is a compact, design-forward three-star near Porta Nuova station. The lobby hits you with dark wallpaper, brass fixtures and a glass counter filled with local gianduiotto chocolates – the owner’s family runs a nearby confectioner. It suits solo travellers or couples who want a central base with character, not cookie-cutter chain comfort. Each room has a chocolate-themed name and a Nespresso machine, but don't expect a gym or restaurant.
Chronicles of Turin
Turin was founded as a Roman military colony (Julia Augusta Taurinorum) around 28 BC, its grid plan still visible in the city centre. It became the first capital of unified Italy in 1861, reflected in its grand arcaded boulevards and Baroque palazzi. In the 20th century, Fiat turned Turin into Italy’s Detroit, shaping its industrial working-class identity. Today, it’s a quieter, more cultured city – home to the Egyptian Museum, the Mole Antonelliana and a refined café culture that gives Milan a run for its money.
Best Time to Visit
Full Turin guide →Best months
May, June and September: warm (20-28°C), low rainfall, and fewer tourists than the summer peak. June has long daylight hours for evening aperitivo along the Po.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak. July brings the Torino Jazz Festival and outdoor events; August is hot (often 30-35°C) and many locals close up shop mid-month. Hotel prices rise 20-30% in July, then drop slightly in late August as Italians holiday.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer mild temperatures (12-20°C) and lower prices – 15-25% off summer rates. Rain is possible, but museums and cafés are near-empty. October also has fewer school groups.
Weather & packing
Turin sits in a basin, so summer humidity and occasional afternoon thunderstorms are common. Pack a light rain jacket or compact umbrella even for a July visit, plus comfortable walking shoes for cobblestones.
Live City Briefing — Turin
- Line 2 of the Turin metro (from Porta Susa to Rebaudengo) is under construction, with road changes around Corso Turati – check Google Maps for bus diversions. The main line 1 runs fine to Porta Nuova.
- The Museo Nazionale del Cinema inside the Mole Antonelliana reopened a new immersive exhibit in spring 2026 – book tickets in advance if you want to go up the lift.
- Turin’s outdoor market at Porta Palazzo (Europe’s largest) runs Tuesdays to Saturdays; summer hours shift earlier (7am-2pm) to avoid the heat.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Balbis Choco Rooms, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floor 4 or 5, facing the inner courtyard (away from Via Giambattista Balbis). These upper floors get more light and are well above street-level noise, while the courtyard side is quieter at night.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 1 or 2 facing the street. Via Giambattista Balbis carries steady local traffic and bus routes, so low floors directly above the road pick up engine rumble and morning delivery trucks. Also avoid rooms near the single lift shaft on any floor if you're a light sleeper — lifts clatter, especially in older 3-star buildings.
Best views
Ask for a courtyard-facing room on floor 5. You'll see the green inner block of Turin's typical 19th-century architecture — not spectacular, but calm and private. Avoid street-side views unless you're keen on buses and scooters.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 and 5. They sit far enough from street height to cut traffic noise, yet aren't the top floor (which can get roof-level mechanical hum). The interior courtyard side is dead quiet by Turin standards.
🔊 Noise notes
Via Giambattista Balbis is a secondary road with frequent bus line 68, delivery vans to local shops, and scooter traffic especially between 7am-9am and 5pm-7pm. The single lift is old and clunky — you'll hear cable whine from adjacent rooms. No bar or nightclub nearby, but the street has a few late-opening kebab/pizza takeouts with pedestrian chatter until 11pm.
Insider tips
1. Check in after 3pm to avoid waiting for housekeeping — small 3-star hotels like this often have a skeleton staff. 2. If you drive, pre-book a spot at Parcheggio Bologna a 5-minute walk (Via Bologna 45); the free street parking around Balbis is a gamble with resident-only zones that get fines.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Balbis Choco Rooms
Free Wi-Fi throughout, 30 Mbps download, requires registration via email link on login page
One lift serves all 5 floors; no stairs-only sections
Free digital access to PressReader; no physical papers
Check-in from 14:00 to 22:00, early bag drop from 08:00, late check-out until 12:00 for €20 (subject to availability)
Free for same-day after check-out; longer storage €5 per day
Step-free entrance from street, lift to all floors, but no wheelchair-adapted rooms or accessible bathrooms
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Parcheggio Balbis at €20 per night (24h), unreserved; no EV charging on site
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €3.50 per person per night, up to 5 nights, children under 12 exempt
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; €50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in (refundable if no charges)
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Chiesa del Santo Sudario (179 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa della Madonna del Carmine (295 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Santuario della Consolata (420 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa di Santa Chiara (469 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parco commerciale Dora — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Giardino Marino Ferraro — 859 m · ~11 min walk
Museo Diffuso della Resistenza, della Deportazione, della Guerra, dei Diritti e della Libertà — 185 m · ~2 min walk
Teatro Piccolo Valdocco — 763 m · ~10 min walk
Le Chiuse — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 265 m · ~3 min walk
Comunale 43 - Afc — 289 m · ~4 min walk
Ël Formagé - F.lli Aragno — 428 m · ~5 min walk
XVIII Dicembre — 852 m · ~11 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs at banks for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at Turin Airport and tourist spots, which take a big cut.
Cards are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and transport; contactless is standard, but keep some cash for small bars and market stalls.
Rounding up the bill or leaving 1-2 € is appreciated but not expected; taxis and hotel staff don’t expect a tip.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at the counter in any bar — about 1.20 €.
Panino or pizza al taglio from a bakery or forno — around 5-7 €.
Pasta or pizza in a modest trattoria — main about 10-12 €.
Porta Palazzo market area has cheap takeaway sandwiches and grilled meat stalls at lunchtime.
Conad, Coop, and Lidl are common in the area.
Via Roma and the city centre have mid-range chains; for cheap basics, try OVS or the markets at Porta Palazzo.
Single bus/tram ticket 1.70 €; day pass (GTT) 4.50 €. From Turin Airport, the SADEM bus to Porta Nuova station costs about 7.50 € one way.
Buy tram/bus tickets at tabacchi not on board (surcharge). Lunch menus (menù del giorno) in trattorias are usually 10-12 € for two courses. Tap water is fine to drink, so carry a bottle.
Good to know — Turin
Type C/F/L · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
TurinFor general emergencies in Italy, dial 112 (Single European Emergency Number). In Turin, 112 connects to police, ambulance, and fire. For non-urgent police matters, call 113. For roadside assistance, dial 116.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Turin, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Balbis Choco Rooms
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 265 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Comunale 43 - Afc — 289 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Porta Nuova station → Porta Susa station
💡 Use this single stop to skip walking with luggage. The hotel is a few minutes east of Porta Susa metro exit. Validate your ticket before entering the platform — fines are steep.
Porta Nuova station → Via Lagrange stop (near Hotel Turin City Centre)
💡 A scenic route through central Turin if you're not rushed. Get off at 'Lagrange' and walk 5 minutes north. Single tickets work on all GTT transport, and a day pass (€4) pays for 3+ rides.
Turin-Caselle Airport (TRN) → Hotel Turin City Centre
💡 Book through the official airport taxi stand or a licensed app like 'Taxi Torino' to avoid overcharging. Flat rates to centre are standard, but confirm price before departure.
Turin-Caselle Airport (TRN) → Porta Nuova or Porta Susa stations
💡 Disembark at Porta Susa for quicker access to Hotel Turin City Centre — it's a 10-minute walk. Buy tickets at the airport kiosk or online; validation is required before boarding.
About Turin
Wikipedia ↗
Turin is a city and a business and cultural centre in northern Italy. It is the capital city of the Piedmont region and of the Metropolitan City of Turin. From 1861 to 1865, it was the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy. The city is mainly on the western bank of the River Po, below its Susa Valle...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Balbis Choco Rooms?
Request a room on floor 4 or 5, facing the inner courtyard (away from Via Giambattista Balbis). These upper floors get more light and are well above street-level noise, while the courtyard side is quieter at night.
Which rooms should I avoid at Balbis Choco Rooms?
Avoid rooms on floor 1 or 2 facing the street. Via Giambattista Balbis carries steady local traffic and bus routes, so low floors directly above the road pick up engine rumble and morning delivery trucks. Also avoid rooms near the single lift shaft on any floor if you're a light sleeper — lifts clatter, especially in older 3-star buildings.
Is Balbis Choco Rooms noisy?
Via Giambattista Balbis is a secondary road with frequent bus line 68, delivery vans to local shops, and scooter traffic especially between 7am-9am and 5pm-7pm. The single lift is old and clunky — you'll hear cable whine from adjacent rooms. No bar or nightclub nearby, but the street has a few late-opening kebab/pizza takeouts with pedestrian chatter until 11pm.
Which rooms have the best views at Balbis Choco Rooms?
Ask for a courtyard-facing room on floor 5. You'll see the green inner block of Turin's typical 19th-century architecture — not spectacular, but calm and private. Avoid street-side views unless you're keen on buses and scooters.
What are insider tips for staying at Balbis Choco Rooms?
1. Check in after 3pm to avoid waiting for housekeeping — small 3-star hotels like this often have a skeleton staff. 2. If you drive, pre-book a spot at Parcheggio Bologna a 5-minute walk (Via Bologna 45); the free street parking around Balbis is a gamble with resident-only zones that get fines.
What time is check-in at Balbis Choco Rooms?
Check-in at Balbis Choco Rooms is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Balbis Choco Rooms have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, 30 Mbps download, requires registration via email link on login page
Is there a city or tourist tax at Balbis Choco Rooms?
€3.50 per person per night, up to 5 nights, children under 12 exempt
Where can I eat cheaply near Balbis Choco Rooms?
Panino or pizza al taglio from a bakery or forno — around 5-7 €.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Balbis Choco Rooms?
Single bus/tram ticket 1.70 €; day pass (GTT) 4.50 €. From Turin Airport, the SADEM bus to Porta Nuova station costs about 7.50 € one way.
When is the best time to visit Turin?
May, June and September: warm (20-28°C), low rainfall, and fewer tourists than the summer peak. June has long daylight hours for evening aperitivo along the Po.
Top Attractions in Turin
💡 Go on a Saturday morning for the biggest selection and best energy. Bring cash; most stallholders don't take cards. Try a focaccia with mortadella from the bread vendors.
💡 Go up to the Borgo Medievale at the south end; it’s a free open-air museum of medieval architecture. Also a good spot for watching the sunset over the river.
💡 Walk up from the Sassi district via the scenic pathway (30–40 mins) rather than taking the rack railway for a cheaper – and more atmospheric – route. The church interior is free; the crypt costs a small fee.
💡 Entry is free for under-18s and reduced for 18-25 year-olds with ID. On the first Sunday of each month, entry is free for all from 10am–2pm, but arrive early to avoid long queues.
💡 Visit on a clear day for the best Alps views; morning light is less harsh for photos. The lift costs €10 but the ground floor foyer and building exterior are free to see.