This little hotel is on a lovely little street and within easy walking distance of many of the sights in the historic district. The rooms were spacious, and the bathroom modern and comfortable. Breakfast was upstairs in a roof top solarium, and was simple but delicious and filling.

The service was good, but not terribly personable. I'd stay here again if I was specifically looking to stay in Centro Storico. Otherwise I'd look at a B&B near the Termini Station, as those tend to cost much less.

My husband and I visit Rome every year and always, forever hopeful, try a different hotel. In Rome, it's the "agony or the ecstasy!" Finding a comfortable hotel without spending a fortune is a major challenge, especially with the weakness of our dollar.
So, when we found the Portoghesi, we decided that maybe we have finally found the right one, without breaking the bank. Granted, the first time, we booked a suite, and the second time, a junior suite, because I got the impression that the standard rooms are very small. We actually preferred the junior suite, which was of decent size and had a nice bathroom. A new flat-screen t.v. on the wall offered cable reception (more channels)including "Everybody Hates Chris" dubbed in Italian! The only thing I missed in the room was a safe.
The location has been described by other guests of the hotel. The area is safe at night because there a very visible police presence due to the government buildings nearby. The highlight for us was our after-dinner walk to Piazza Navona to see the artists at work, or to the Pantheon, to enjoy the street scene. And, right next door, is gorgeous (what Roman church isn't?) St. Anthony, the national church of Portugal. It doesn't hurt that "L'Orso 80" is just down the cobblestone street...very fresh, well-prepared seafood.
The Portoghesi is a comfortable, cosy three star hotel that pleased us more than some of the more expensive hotels we've tried in the past.

We and our in-laws spent four nights in early October at the Hotel Portoghesi. I had discovered this hotel through a travel book which listed it as one of the best moderately priced hotels in Rome. It was exactly what I was looking for. The rooms were very clean and very quiet with no noise from other rooms or from outdoors. The rooms were small as were the bathrooms, but adequate for our needs. The front desk staffers were all courteous, pleasant and helpful at all times.
I was very pleased that the hotel was situated not only, in a safe neighborhood, but also within walking distance of all the major attractions/sights as other reviewers have also noted. Our only taxi ride within the city was to Borghese Gallery, a must-visit booked in advance through the internet.
Breakfasts were fine and consisted of the usual cereals, croissants, yogurts, etc and good coffee especially the capuccino.The sunny breakfast room was located on the roof and included a terrace, which was a little too cold in the mornings to enjoy. We did, however, enjoy a bottle of wine up on the roof terrace one warmer evening before dinner.
A few doors down the street from the hotel is a restaurant, Hostaria Orso 80, that I would recommend for the experience of enjoying their antipasta mista della casa. This is a meal in itself! Four of us were served 15 bowls/plates containing different meats, a variety of grilled veggies, cheese, olives melon etc.--all delicious. They treated us at the end of the meal with limoncello and biscotti.
Years ago we stayed at a luxurious American hotel on the outskirts of Rome, but I must admit I enjoyed the small intimate atmosphere of Hotel Portoghesi more. It gives you the opportunity to enjoy the narrow charming streets, grand piazzas, small churches, neighborhood restaurants and shops of a wonderfully ancient city "up close and personal."

Great location and a pleasant hotel, better than expected. We stayed in room 38 which is perfect for families. There is a double room with ensuite and a sliding (solid) door which can be used as a sitting area but for us the hotel put in two single beds for our children. Air conditioning in both rooms, TV in double. No view but the hotel is so close to piazza novona and lovely cobbled streets. Quiet too, we didn't hear any noise from other rooms. Hotel staff were very friendly to us but I noticed they were less so to a rather loud and forceful American lady in front of us! There's a small roof top terrace for breakfast. Breakfast not very exciting but fairly typical for Italy. All in all a great start to our holiday and would definitely stay there again.