"⭐ Tripadvisor Review – JO&JOE Roma
Clean and convenient, but far too restrictive and noisy for a relaxing stay
We recently spent three nights at JO&JOE Roma, booking a private double room through Qantas Hotels with breakfast and dinner included.
Firstly, the positives. The location was convenient for exploring Rome, and our room was clean. Unfortunately, that’s where most of the positives ended.
We understand that JO&JOE operates as a hostel-style property and that certain rules are necessary, particularly with shared accommodation. However, as a mature couple on holiday, paying considerably more for a private double room, we found the experience unnecessarily restrictive.
At times, we genuinely felt like teenagers being told off rather than grown adults and parents enjoying a holiday in Rome.
One of our biggest surprises was discovering that guests are strictly prohibited from drinking their own alcohol, even in private rooms. We only discovered this after asking reception where we could purchase some wine or beer to enjoy in our room. We subsequently noticed a sign in the lift confirming the restriction and directing guests to the hotel bar.
We completely understand the need to manage behaviour in shared hostel accommodation, but surely guests paying for private rooms should be able to enjoy a quiet glass of wine without feeling they are breaking the rules? At the very least, such restrictions should be clearly advertised before booking.
Our accommodation included breakfast and dinner. However, dinner was restricted to a selection of just three pizzas or three pasta dishes from a much larger restaurant menu. Staff simply pointed out the section we could order from, without explaining whether substitutions or alternatives were available at an additional cost.
Breakfast was reasonable, and we appreciated the flexibility with breakfast times. However, the buffet wasn’t consistently replenished, and once certain items ran out, they appeared to remain unavailable.
Another significant issue was the noise and lack of comfortable sleeping conditions.
Road traffic and nearby building works created considerable noise throughout the night. Although the windows offered some sound insulation, the air conditioning wasn’t particularly effective with them closed, leaving the room hot and stuffy. Opening the windows meant dealing with the outside noise. There was also a loud internal rumbling noise, making it difficult to enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep.
Our private room had no television, and even borrowing an iron required leaving identification at reception. While these may seem like minor inconveniences individually, they contributed to the overall restrictive atmosphere.
We were also disappointed that the upstairs rooftop area was closed during our stay.
The staff generally didn’t come across as particularly friendly or welcoming, and we were especially uncomfortable when housekeeping entered our room despite us displaying the Do Not Disturb sign. We believe guests should reasonably expect their privacy to be respected.
To top things off, the hotel charged €2 per large bag for just one hour of luggage storage after checkout. While the amount itself isn’t significant, it felt like yet another unnecessary charge.
Ultimately, our disappointment wasn’t about expecting luxury. We simply wanted somewhere comfortable to return to after long days exploring Rome, where we could relax, enjoy some privacy and feel like welcome guests.
Instead, we found ourselves navigating numerous restrictions, unexpected charges, limited meal choices and uncomfortable sleeping conditions.
JO&JOE may be a great option for younger travellers looking for a hostel atmosphere, and we appreciate that this style of accommodation appeals to many people.
However, I would strongly encourage couples considering paying extra for private rooms to understand exactly what they’re booking. A private room doesn’t necessarily mean the independence, comfort or facilities you might expect from a traditional hotel.
We enjoyed our time exploring beautiful Rome, but unfortunately, our accommodation experience was a disappointment.
My advice: Read the restrictions carefully before booking, particularly if you’re a couple looking for a comfortable and relaxing stay rather than a hostel experience."