"While planning our trip to Italy, I wasn't sure or knew anything about which decent areas to stay in Rome. Since I have a cousin who's in the travel business, I asked his advice on where to stay. He told me to stay near Via Cavour, and he also suggested this hotel. I was a bit surprised when I arrived because my cousin is highly particular with taste, style, and comfort, and although he's never stayed here, his business partner had. Well, I guess his business partner isn't picky. Rating this place was hard on Trip Advisor scale, and that's because it's a perfect balance between good and average in rating. The lobby is a bit early 90s dated, although they seem to be in the process of remodeling, so more on that later. The lobby area is also pretty small.
When we first checked-in, we were brought to a room that was tons smaller than what I saw on Trip advisor, and it smelled like stale food. I realized then that the room was above the breakfast dinning area. When the room was dank and smelly, I immediately went to the front desk and informed them that I was disappointed in the room for the price we had paid, and also that I had been recommended the stay by my cousin who owns a travel business. I was seriously considering going down the street to Genova hotel, which we had stayed at earlier in our trip, and room was much bigger and we paid less. However, the desk clerk booked us into another room, which was bigger, and also had just been remodeled. This is why I anticipate the rest of the hotel will be remodeled as well. After this our stay was pleasant for the most part, but had nothing to do with the hotel, nor the guest service staff. It was some Italian deva who apparently was staying at the hotel and decided to roam the hallways at night chatting with her friend / boyfriend, so I had to contact the front desk, who had her go back to her room.
Guest service desk staff were all pleasant at the hotel. When we first arrived, we were running late because of our train from Florence, and we had tour tickets to the Vatican, yet the staff at this hotel contacted our tour company and spoke to them, and arrange a quick taxi for us. We were so thankful for their gracious hospitality. On the other hand, the only person at the hotel who seemed too stuffy was this bartender there, who looked very Irish. Anyhow, he just seemed unpleasant and wasn't too friendly to us or other patrons.
The breakfast here isn't particularly great but think of it as better than a roadside hotel breakfast back in the states. It may be better or close to a Holiday Inn Express breakfast. The coffee is horrible from a coffee connoisseur's perspective. It's like tasteless office coffee, and it's not just at this hotel but standard throughout Italy. Same for cappuccinos with no robust flavor. But I digress. If there were a Starbucks nearby it would be a decent alternative for coffee."
