I booked a weeks “holiday” in Rome with Cititalia – this was an 8 day stay (8th night included free, with “a free lunch including wine, every day” ) included in the price.
Upon arrival, we were met with a Basil Fawlty style greeting - I actually thought we were in the wrong hotel when we walked through the doors – this establishment is in no way worthy of its 4 star rating – more like a 2 star rating at most.
The “gentlemen” at reception kept us waiting an age before checking us in. They were rude and brusque. A porter was assigned to us to bring us and our baggage to our room. The first room were were taken to (on the 2nd floor), was appalling – dark and dank, with 1 double bed – we are two ladies and had requested when booking with Citialia, for a twin room – 2 twin beds. I had even rang to double check this in advance of making the booking and it was duley noted on the booking documents that were posted out to me. We alerted the porter to this, who rang reception, and, after much deliberation and shouting !! on the phone, we were taken to a room on the 4th floor, at the front of the building. Room was large and clean, but very VERY basic. It had a wooden trouser press that exhibited the latest in wireless technology (This was similar to one found in the Villa of Lucius Calpurnius circa 1 A.D !!). The “bathroom” had been installed by the romans in circa 549 B.C !! – the shower had a boiling hot dribble of water, the taps in the sink shot water out in bursts which went everywhere except the sink ! The ancient plumbing was directly connected to the Cloaca Maxima, and was constructed in the time of Tarquinius Priscus .There was a coating of mould on the shower curtain, which had previously been installed in the Diocletian circa 305A.D.
There was 1 electricity plug point in the entire room, and our room was connected to another room via a small passage and a locked door. You could hear EVERYTHING from the guest room next door ( when the sound of passing traffic on the street outside abated). There was no air conditioning so I can only imagine what the heat would be like on the summer months in that room ( it was 540 by the way).
Traffic passing by the front of the hotel, caused our room to vibrate – casting serious doubt over the soundness of the structure and foundations of this ancient construction.
Now, to the “Free Lunch” debacle. As per Citialia’s website and brouchure, our 8 night B&B package included a free lunch each day with wine. When we checked in we were given 8 paper vouchers for lunch, which we were instructed to present at the dining room upon arrival each day, which we duly did. The food itself was bland ,but we didn’t complain, as it was free. The menu itself did not change over the entire 8 days, and we were given a ½ bottle of house red or white wine each day, which was fine. Ordering food, and its delivery to the table, was a job in itself – surly staff hurled startes and main courses out at the same time, insisted on serving side orders AFTER the meal,deserts were the leftover deserts from the previous evening meal and arrived up to 30 minutes later. We were offered mineral water with each lunch, which we accepted, and offered tea and coffee after each lunch, which we also took. Now, for the sting in the tail – when we were checking out, we were presented with a bill ! – please note that we had paid Citialia in full for the holiday when we booked in advance of our arrival at the hotel, so this charge of €120.00 was a mystery. When I asked what this charge related to, I was initially told it was the charge for each lunch ? – I produced the Citialia booking receipts which detailed the “free daily lunch with wine”, which was snatched out of my hand by the ever courteous man on reception. There was much deliberation between the 3 –Amigo’s behind the desk. The man returned and said the charges were for the wine, I said no, and again pointed out “free lunch including wine”. He again conferred with the board and upon return declared that the charge was for tea’s and water ! – which, conveniently cost €6.00 for the large bottle of water and €4.50 for each tea/coffee (we had 1 bottle of water and 2 tea’s with each lunch). This was never made clear in Citialia’s brouchure, receipts, or by the Rep – who I rang when this debacle was going on. The man at reception shouted and roared at us, insisting the charges were for wine, and when I showed him the Citialia documents, he said he didn’t give a [--] what Citialia said !! This all occurred in front of other hotel guests, and was mortifying.
Every night, there is “live music” which comprises of the same guy, who plays the same set of songs. The place is shabby, old furniture, which has seen better days. The flowers in the main lounge, were never changed the entire 8 days. When we were leaving, no one offered to help with bags etc.
I would advise to avoid at all costs. This is not for the faint hearted - bad service, bad food, below par facilities and blatant thievery are all what makes the Quirinale what it is - Monte Testaccio !
