I would not recommended this hotel to anyone. It is definitely not worthy of a 5 * rating. I found the service highly lacking and the accomodation sub-standard. On arrival at reception we were ignored for quite a while. The receptionists sat in a room where they could clearly see us but they probably couldn't imagine why we were standing there so didn't budge. The concierge was completely useless and gave us inaccurate information. I travelled with 4 other ladies so we had two rooms. One of the rooms was a Double Deluxe!!! which had dirty, stained carpets and a layer of dust everywhere. The TV was an unbeleivable 14" antique. A cot that was sqeezed into the room was clearly a child's bed and quite uncomfortable for an adult. When we complained to the manager about the room he said he was familiar with Room 610 and tried to convince us that this room was acceptable. This is not the way for customers to be treated in a 5 star hotel.
The rooftop restaurant was apparently worth visiting, but the prices were indeed extortionate so we thought we'd go to the bar at least to have a drink and enjoy the view. But, as we approached the restaurant we were told the bar was closed.... though we observed live music being played and the restaurant and bar were completely unoccupied at 9:00pm on a Friday night!
The concierge was unable to book us a taxi in advance, and on the day of our departure I asked the receptionist to make a brief call to re-confirm our transport from the hotel to the airport but was told to return to my room to make the call. I will go nowhere near this hotel again and will advise anyone I know travelling to Rome to avoid this hotel as well!

If this a 5 star hotel then so is my local Motel 6. The rooms we stayed in were completely worn out and not too clean. The design of the shower door allowed water to run out onto the floor of the bathroom and carpet of the room. BLACK MOLD has been growing there for quite some time. I have posted a photo I took of the mold. The staff is condescending nearly to the point of being rude. I do not recommend this Hotel to anyone.

My 21-year-old son and I spent a week at the Bernini Bristol, and the hotel really made our stay in Rome an enjoyable experience.
The room was exactly as pictured on the hotel's website, elegant damask drapes and wall covering, spacious and very clean. We had a 4th floor room facing a side street, so the view wasn't anything extraordinary, but we didn't hear any street noise at all from the busy Piazza Barberini. The air-conditioning worked great, making the hotel an oasis of coolness after a day of walking around in the 100 degree heat. Our rate, which was about $320 US a night (moderate, by Rome standards) didn't include breakfast, so I can't tell you about that, but the hotel does have a lovely (and very expensive) restaurant. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. I spoke to several of the concierge staff before our trip, and they helped me get opera tickets in advance. I never felt that they were holding out their hands for a tip, either. The best thing about the Bernini, though, is the location. Piazza Barberini is so centrally located that you can really walk almost anywhere. We only took a cab once during the whole week. The Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Termini Station and the Pantheon are all within a 10-15 minute walk. The Forum and the Colloseum are only a little farther. The Vatican looked like it was too far, but we actually walked back after a tour by bus, and it wasn't a bad walk at all. There's also a metro station in the Piazza right outside the hotel, and a currency exchange and an ATM machine right next door, which is very convenient. There are literally dozens of restaurants and trattoria within a few minutes of the hotel on the Via Tritone or the Via Veneto, so whether you're looking for coffee and a croissant, a slice of pizza or a really nice dinner, you don't have to go far. The only negative thing I have to say is not about the hotel itself, but about the tour company that the concierge booked with when we asked for a Vatican tour and a day trip to Pompeii. We weren't crazy about it, so I'd recommend you do some research and either book for yourself online, or come with phone numbers and ask the concierge to call the company of your choice. We were much more pleased with the tours that we arranged on our own.

Hotel Bernini Bristol is on Piazza Barberini. The location is OK (for instance, very very convenient to the Barberini Metro station - outside the hotel door pretty much), but not great if you want less touristy dining and cafe options. We stayed at this hotel for our last two nights in Rome (earlier in the week we stayed at the lovely Hotel Teatro di Pompeo, then went to Positano for a few days, then back to Rome). This hotel claims it is 5 star. It isn't. I think Expedia (who we booked it through) rates it as 4 star. That is maybe even pushing it a little. Read on...

First, note that our experience was completely pleasant and nothing bad happened. The room was clean, fairly large, and comfortable. But the service was generally lacking (even for Italy!). After realizing we booked through Expedia we seemed to get even more indifference from the reception staff! Concierge was not particularly helpful (certainly not enthusiastic about helping/offering advice). View from room was good (out on to Piazza Barberini).

This hotel has a rooftop bar/restaurant, which was one incentive to stay there. Having drinks on the rooftop with a great view at sunset was the plan. However, their prices are extortionate. Even for a hotel (where you expect some kind of premium pricing). I hate it when hotels take their "right" to over-charge too far, and this hotel did that in bucketloads. It is a pity.

Overall, not a terrible hotel. I wouldn't stay there again just because there are better options and better locations in Rome. In terms of location, note that this hotel is very convenient to the Metro/subway and within easy walking distance of the Spanish Steps, Villa Borghese, and the Trevi Fountain. If you are more interested in hanging out in cool cafes/bars and eating in less touristy, more authentic Roman restaurants then stay elsewhere. The area closer to Piazza Navona and Campo dei Fiori is probably better then.