It's part of American Express' Fine Hotels & Resorts. Along with that and the location, we just had to book it for the 4 days before our cruise departed. We had a suite with balcony overlooking the city. Our friends chose a standard room with garden view (that still had a balcony, but it was shared with 3-4 other rooms.) We noticed a big difference depending on which room you booked and how you paid. Our arrangements were handled by American Express Platinum Travel, our friends booked directly on their own. We were greeted with a welcome basket that included fruit, cheese, chocolates and even a bottle of Lemoncello. Since we booked with our AmEx card, our stay included breakfast each morning, our friends' didn't. We enjoyed a full breakfast in the hotel restaurant complete with espresso, eggs, toast and fruit. Since it worked out to approximately $35 per person, our friends made other arrangements for breakfast. I agree, it wasn't worth $35 per person, but since it was included in our price we enjoyed it every morning (the service here was nothing short of impeccable.) The concierge left a little to be desired. We had already booked tours and excursions before getting to the hotel, but we did ask for help in planning dinner the first night we arrived. He suggested a restaurant that all of us wish we would have skipped. Let me not forget to tell you about the location. We walked out the front door of the hotel and the Spanish Steps were right there! Just go down the Spanish Steps and the city awaits!! It was wonderful for us. We walked whenever we got the chance. We walked to dinner, shopping, site seeing and espresso!!

This is a very tired hotel.
In urgent need of upgrade as all areas of the hotel are looking shabby and worn.
What also makes its worse the attitade of the staff are arrogant and rude.
I stayed in a suite which looks straight out of the 1970s .
Goes well with the mouldy shower curtain !
We unfortunately had afternoon tea at the lobby cafe and the quality of the something basic was terrible.
Another rip off was the wireless internet charge.
Better off going down the road at a resturant and use the free wireless service.
Why this hotel cannot offer this service is terrible ?
Suggest give this hotel a big miss !

We had read mixed reports on this hotel before staying - membership to the Ambassador Club was the main driver for the initial booking. We ended up having a fantastic time in Rome, with the service, room and location of the hotel being a big part of this experience (just above the Spanish Steps). Our suite was spacious enough to be comfortable sharing with our 2 young sons, breakfast each day was full of tasty options & excellent service, and the concierge helped arrange some excellent personalised day-tours. We didn't want the mass-tour experience, so had a personal tour guide for the Colloseum / Roman Forum and a driver take us out to Villa D'Este & Villa Adriana. These were highlights of our European trip.
My only suggested improvement for the hotel is to make wireless access complimentary, as most other leading hotels now do.

In Rome, there is a huge difference in quality between 4, 4.5 and 5 star hotels. This was my third trip to Rome, second within a year, and have to say - my husband and I LOVED this hotel.

Great customer service, nice room (traditional furnishing) which seemed pretty spacious overall (including the bathroom), centrally (and conveniently) located. Restaurant onsite served a great cup of American coffee (as well as espresso) and a decent lunch. Beds we instantly fell asleep on. We were on an upper floor, which was really nice. Conceirge desk gave us good restaurant advice, but take advantage of having them book you into the spots - you might find yourself in a queue if you "walk up". We would stay here again (I'm a Starwood gold lifetime member, so yes, we temporarily defected) and highly recommend.