We booked two rooms at this hotel from Dec 20 - Dec 25 2007. Our choice was based on the TripAdvisor Luxury Hotel reviews. I have stayed at Novotels in Canada, and really wanted to try the Sofitel.

The hotel is located near the Spanish Steps (5-10 minute walk). There are many excellent, albeit expensive, restaurants in the vicinity.

The hotel itself exhudes class. The rooms are very well appointed, and feel luxurious without being overdone. The bathrooms are amongst the nicest I have ever seen. Breakfast, which was included, was very average - definitely not worth the 12 or 13 euros it is advertised at. The rooftop view from this hotel is just amazing, particularly at night. if you do stay at this hotel, definitely check out the roof.

However, it was the staff that really really impressed me. I stayed at the hotel over a year ago, but I still remember the staff. They were just amazing. They were very welcoming, and took great pride in their jobs and cities. They was a genuine air of cheerfulness about them, which was quite refreshing after the politely distant attitude that most hotel staff seem to adopt around the world. The doorman was an absolute gem - informative, helpful, and courteous, without being overbearing.

Rome itself is a wonderful city. I nearly ruined my trip by forgetting an important item in the cab that took me to the airport. I called the hotel to request their help, and sure enough, they traced the cab and had my item returned in 20 minutes. Top class service.

We recently had reservations at the Sofitel Rome for a five day stay during May. The location seemed perfect ( Via Veneto ) and the pictures on the website were beautiful. Upon check-in, we knew that it was doubtful that we would stay. The staff at the front desk were very welcoming and professional. The room however did not meet the promise of the pictures on the website. It was very worn, small and most important unbearably hot. Not warm but very very hot. The room had to be at least 85 degrees. I can not imagine anyone staying at the hotel in any warm month. The bed was beyond hard and uncomfortable. Friends who had previously stayed at the Sofitel tried to discourage us from staying there but we thought they were being a little to unreasonable. They weren't. It would be impossible to sleep with that bed. When we went down to the front desk, again they tried to be helpful and accomadating but when the air-conditioning system is grossly inadaqute and the hotel in desperarte need of an upgrade, their options are limited. They offered to change rooms but were honest in acknowleging that all the rooms would be the same throughout the hotel. Again, the staff tried to be helpful but there was only so much that could be done. We were very happy with the newer hotal right up the street. It was everything we hoped the Sofitel would be

I reserved this hotel for our first anniversary. I reserved the hotel for 3 nights about two months prior to our travel. After doing a bit of research, I thought there might be better hotels in Rome to stay at. I returned to the Sofitel website and saw a special offer called "Exclusively Yours". This offer included amongst other things - transportation to and from airport, bottle of champagne on arrival and breakfast. Rather than try another hotel, I canceled my reservation and re-reserved at the higher rate.

A couple of days before traveling, I called to confirm and was told I did not have the package "Exclusively Yours". The hotel refused to accept proof by e-mail, leaving me with a reservation that could only be canceled with a penalty. Not only that, but the reservation was at the higher rate.

Rather than burdening my pregnant wife with last minute changes to a hotel and the challenge of fighting a charge to my credit card, I decided that we would continue our holiday without the package. I have to say that reservations were borderline rude and completely unacceptable of a supposedly 5* hotel. I even courteously contacted Sofitel directly, but they didn't bother to reply.

Our stay was also a disappointment. Although the concierge and door staff were friendly enough, there were a number of things that I would not expect of a 5* establishment. A shower that leaked all over the floor. Food that was left out in hallways on trays all day long. Small rooms with tiny TVs (not that you really need to watch it). The bed itself was clean, but the linen was a bit coarse and the bed sagged to each side. This made us feel a bit like sleeping on sinking ship. And, despite claims of sound proofing, this is simply not the case. Noise could be easily heard from the street (although a quiet street, they come and take away the trash quite early) and from the hallway.

That said, the AC worked well and the Hermes soaps show a bit of class.

The bar on the 7th floor has a nice view. But you can get the same views elsewhere (a few metres away is the Hotel Eden with a better view). There is no bathroom on the 7th floor, so you either return to your room or go to the basement (where they stuck the restaurant) where there is a single toilet (per gender). Also, prices starting at around EUR 13 for a Coke are bit silly.

The last thing is the neighborhood. It's quiet and nice, although you can never quite escape the wagon loads of tourists, but it's on a hill. Which after walking around a lot during the day and in the evenings, can be a bit of a pain to come back to.

For the high price, I know there's better out there.

Staff were delightful. Room very good. Not sure if it is quite 5 star however even if your not staying, go have a drink on the rooftop terrace. Its really pricey however the view is incredible.