Gæstebruger
22. januar 2025
We fell in love with this hotel back in 2017, making this a tricky review to write. It’s like comparing apples with oranges! But we’d return to this hotel in a heartbeat - it’s in our favourite location in Rome. The hotel was renovated during Covid, giving it a completely different feel this time around. I remember terracotta floors, a quirky layout, and a more open lobby (the internal staircase has since been enclosed). The hotel is now carpeted, has a grey colour scheme, and the breakfast room has moved. It took a while getting used to the grey, but I’m guessing inspiration was taken from the Pantheon - some of the shades are a perfect match. Last time we stayed in an annexed Apartment. Our rooms had a small balcony directly facing the Pantheon (it’s one of our all-time favourite hotel memories for that very reason). This time we stayed in the hotel complex - still a fantastic view from a waist-height window, but there’s nothing like sitting at a balcony for hours with a glass or two of wine, watching the action below, the unforgettable sound of the pedestrian-only piazza buzzing through the air. Rooms 308 & 306 were comfortable, well appointed, stylishly decorated, and both had that amazing view. Our floor was a little slopey - charming evidence of this being the oldest hotel in Rome. The bathroom, whilst modernised, was a little disappointing. There was very little storage/bench space and no towel rails. (It would be good if hooks & rails were installed on the spare wall). There was also an occasional ‘drain’ smell. The service was consistently excellent - particularly at breakfast. (The only hotel during this trip that got a pot of tea right, each & every time.) The selection of food was good too. The seating was a little cramped though - our party of 4 chose to sit at different tables. It wasn’t too busy in January, but could be a bit squeezy during peak season. We stayed 4 nights, which gave us a few bonus inclusions: a bottle of bubbles, one free mini bar round, and a small fruit platter. In hindsight, the Covid carpet upgrade could have been better considered. Whilst good for noise dampening, it felt a little stale. Maybe it was because of winter - central heating & less fresh air circulating? I was surprised there weren’t any air diffusers or scented candles in the lobby/breakfast areas. There are so many fabulous landmarks to stay near in Rome. The Pantheon piazza has its own unique feel, and is within walking distance of all the major sights. I look forward to staying here again one day.
Oversæt