Stayed here for a couple of nights in September 2007. I'm a frequent traveller to L'aquila, the real Italy. Up until this stay I stayed in Hotel Duomo of the main Piazza which I thought was good until I found the San Michele. 2 minutes walk to the main Piazza. The rooms are average size, but are very well fitted out. Breakfast is typical continental style buffet breakfast, fresh fruit, pastries tea/coffee, juices etc, as much as you want. The building is on the corner of a quite street which is great as Hotel Duomo is on the Piazza and gets very very noisy from the early hours of the morning for the market which is there every morning of the week exept Sundays. The staff at San Michele speak very good english. As for restaurants in the evenings best places are the ones where the locals are. I've found the restaurants on the main Piazza a little less friendly, maybe too used to tourists. But, just walk those extra few yards down the side streets you'll find some great places. The market as I already said is every morning except Sundays, you'll find great fresh food. You have to try the hot food stall only one stall(truck) serves it. They do this fantastic pork with crackling in a bread panini. Yum The hotel also provides a good map of the city. Best way to explore L'aquila is get out and explore it's not very big so you can walk everywhere. I will be staying in the San Michele in the new year and I'm sure many more times. IDEAL!! Learn a few words of Italian it will only enhance your experience.