I just returned from a fabulous trip to Italy...a week in Venice, a week in Siena for the Palio horserace ( a once-in-a-lifetime MUST) and ended with 2 days in Rome at this hotel, The Regina Baglioni. Within a day I had a list of infractions with the concierge, Lorenzo. He had an "attitude' and never smiled, was not thorough with directions or making suggestions, was rude and condescending...I could go on and on. I told him in a loud voice that he was ruining my stay at this hotel. This is a Virtuoso property and a 5 star property. I insisted on a meeting with the GM and I got it, against Lorenzo's wishes. I was prepared for a real confrontation. Instead, The GM, Signor Falconieri, was listening intently, did not interrupt me, was genuinely concerned and sorry for my incidences with the concierge. He could not have been more gracious and apologetic. He handled me so appropriately and considerately that I was amazed at how he turned my big bag of lemons into lemonade. He insisted that my party of three have dinner gratis that evening in the hotel (an excellent meal) and he spent the entire evening in the restaurant to be sure that all was perfection for us...and it was. This man is a gem and I hope the owners of this hotel appreciate him. I cannot imagine how anyone could have made the situation any better. Unfortunately, I did notice that there is an "attitude" in some of the hotels in Rome as I did get brochures from other five star properties. Maybe it should be explained that a smile and a genuine warm welcome does wonders in the hospitality industry. I had no such problems at the beautiful converted palazzo, The Grand Hotel Continental in Siena, another five star Virtuoso property. As a matter of fact, a young clone of John Cleese from "Fawlty Towers" was behind the desk...he couldn't do enough for us...Nabil. Very charming and effusive and all our wishes were thought of by him before we could think of them! The coup de gras was running into Daniel Craig at the elevator...Bond, James Bond. It doesn't get any better than that!!

We stayed here the other weekend and had a really lovely time. To be honest I normally go for more modern hotels (like the 'design hotels' group) but I really liked the big drapes and marble floors. I wouldn't have it in my living room, but it was really luxurious & decadent for a weekend away.
Having read the reviews I was a little worried that when we were lead to the end of the corridor and down some stairs that we'd end up in an old room with broken air con, but the room had just been renovated and the aircon worked as it should. There was no bath but there was a huge swanky shower. Toilettries had a nice scent. Mini bar was full. Breakfast buffet had everything you might want.
We found the staff chatty and helpful. The most dissapointing thing was that the website says there is a roof terrace, but there isn't. But we went round to the hotel Eden for that instead (lovely view at dusk).
I guess even a 5 star hotel is what you make of it, but I thought this one had character. Well, we had fun anyway!!

From the word go, we knew it wasn't going to be all roses at the Regina Baglioni. What set this hotel apart was no welcome, not even a smile, followed by an aloof receptionist who looked at us upon check-in as if to say "What are you doing here?". He then begrudingly showed us to our room, only to discover that the window was broken, allowing no natural light or fresh air.

When we brought this to the hotel's attention, to their credit, they promptly moved us next door to a room that was satisfactory and the room type which we paid for.

At breakfast we were met by even ruder staff and it felt like the we were in the room of the living dead! Even the interior furnishings and dull lighting gave it no atmosphere. We waited 10 minutes to be asked whether we would like coffee or tea.

That day, after spending 6 hours in 32 degree heat walking the streets of Rome taking in the sights, we headed back to our so-called 5 star hotel only to find that the room was in the state we had left it at 8am. My wife first called reception, except no one picked up the phone, so then walked out to find the housekeeper standing in the hall. She asked why the room wasn't made up, only to be told that we didn't have our sign on the door (mind you, there was no sign to hang there).

My wife (who is a travel agent and booked this hotel!) proceeded to vent some steam at the Conciege, again only to be passed down the line to Reception. We then had to wait half an hour for our room to be serviced. We waited in the lobby where no one informed us that our room was ready. We eventually got back to our room and again, to the hotel's credit, they brought us a botttle of wine and note from the General Manager with his apologies.

Upon check-out, not one staf member asked us how our stay was. Fortunately, our 6 cent phone bill was scrapped.

Ultimately, it is a shame that the hotel rests on its laurels and has become a most medicore 1 star establishment. It was disappointing that our last two nights of our honeymoon were somewhat of a let down. The other beautiful hotels in which we stayed in Europe we could not recommend highly enough.

First of all, in answer to the previous review, there most definitely was excellent high speed internet in the room.

Beyond that: it's not really what I'd call a 5 star hotel. Processed, tasteless orange juice at breakfast, shockingly small room and bathroom, all very clean and nice enough but decorated in a fussy brocade-and-fleur-de-lys style that to me is more oppressive than luxurious. For this much money I am sure something much more special can be found in Rome. And the Via Veneto is not the most atmospheric of locations, though it's within walking distance of many awesome things.