We stayed at the Hassler in Rome for 1 night on November 21st before departing on a Mediterranean cruise from Civitavecchia, Italy (45 minutes from Rome)

I booked directly with the Hotel as they have a Last Minute Offer section on their website and had a very good rate available for a standard room including breakfast. I requested a room with a view of the Spanish Steps, if possible.

We arrived at 2pm and our room was ready, it was on the 5th floor, quite small, very upscale with the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in covered in huge pillows, thick carpet, towels, automtic draperies and best of all when we stepped on our balcony we had the most amazing view of the Spanish Steps!

The concierge and check in staff were warm and friendly, we had breakfast in the restaurant just off the lobby (included) it was continental with coffee, tea, pastries, cereals & fruits etc... everthing was perfect.

The location of the Hassler is just at the top of the Spanish Steps a wonderful area to walk around, shop, dine and soak in the atmosphere of Rome. Even if your room does not overlook the steps if you go up to the 7th floor where there is a large terrace with breathtaking views of Rome.

We loved our stay at the Hassler and wished it was for longer, we would definately like to come back and stay here again.

I stayed at the Hassler earlier this week. When checking in, at around 8pm, I was taken aside by an embarrassed looking staff member, who told me that for "technical reasons" my room was unavailable and that I would therefore be given the "emergency room". He made a point of saying that my travel agent had said that I would arrive earlier in the day, thus to my ears suggesting that my room had been given away and that it would have been better for all concerned if I had not come at all.

The emergency room (room 412) turned out to be the size of a walk-in wardrobe and with a very narrow bed. There was no bath, a very small shower and toilet, an old television and a view of a courtyard, although this was almost entirely blocked by drainpipes. For all this I was charged a "reduced rate" of 250 euros, plus a further 15 euros for breakfast (my colleague paid a full rate of 350 euros, so my discount was pretty limited). Breakfast itself was average, although the view is of course magnificent. On check-out, the supposed "technical reasons" were not mentioned and I was simply told that the hotel had overbooked.

I stayed for a week in Rome last year with my wife at the excellent 3-star Hotel Modigliani. The rooms there are not large, but the staff are extremely friendly (on hearing that it was my wife's birthday they left champagne in our room), and at a price of about 150 euros it is far better value than the overpriced Hassler - there are plenty of wonderful restaurants in Rome at which you could spend the difference!