We chose this hotel because it's widely recommended-even making it into Frommer's Rome. I noticed on their web site that they also have an annex building, so it would be helpful if someone could review that as well. We were in the main building, Room 305, which looks out on Via dei Condotti. They said it was an upgrade from the Deluxe Double Room I had booked on the web for 319 Euros (including breakfasts for 2) plus 10% tax per night. It was clear to me that the 30-day advance booking price (with deposit) was going to go up after the 30-day deadline, so I went ahead and booked. They told us that they were full-up by the time we got there. Internet was 15 Euros for two days, very high speed. (This was essential for grabbing the last Borghese gallery tickets available!)

This is a small hotel, with a hardworking, dedicated staff. There's an elevator, but it's impossible to avoid all the stairs. Although breakfast in your room is available, there's no way to reach the beautiful rooftop bar and breakfast terrace without climbing stairs. Those with bad knees, etc., should consider staying elsewhere. We had no complaint ourselves.

The room was attractive and clean, if not more spacious than the average midrange european hotel. That is, we had a desk, but you had to push the chair in to get by when going around the huge bed-bigger than kingsize. There was one window with double glass. You could hear the garbage trucks, the noisiest things on the street, although you could not hear the crowds of tourists at all. We slept fine.The bathroom (with Jacuzzi that we didn't use) was more spacious, modern, and attractive. Like much of Italy, there's no shower curtain, but a glass partition kept 99% of the shower water in the tub.

I strongly recommend that you stay here three nights, because you probably will then qualify for a free airport car pickup. We paid 55 Euros, and we enjoyed the luxury after a two-segment flight from the US. But because we were meeting a cruise ship, there was no way to stay more than 2 nights. The car to the Civitavecchia cruise port was 150 Euros (!), but that's the going rate for a trip three times as far as the airport, and no hope of a fare back for the driver. The managers also made two restaurant reservations for us in advance. We were pleased with all the staff we met.

When the weather is wet, the breakfast room can be crowded, since many are reluctant to sit under the (huge) umbrellas on the terrace. An evening glass of wine (very reasonably priced) with complimentary heavy hors d'oeuvres is magnificent in the sunset. You have to look over the edge of the roof, and turn your head to see the Spanish Steps, however. (I'm not whining, just a matter of truth in advertising.)

The location is excellent for attractions on this side of Rome. In particular, the Borghese and Barberini Galleries are walkable, as is The Trevi Fountain We did a sightseeing walk home from the Castel Sant'Angelo, through Piazza Navona, to the Pantheon, and the Trevi Fountain. But not everyone would want to walk that far. The Coliseum and ancient Rome are actually a shorter distance from the hotel than that walk added up to. Walking was cool in October, but you might want to use the Spagna subway stop on a sweltering summer day.

I can't recommend the hotel at the full rack rate, but if you can get a discount, it's a worthwhile splurge. The rooms are not quite as charming as the hallways and public rooms, but our room was certainly quiet and comfortable. Our room was in excellent shape, and I wouldn't even describe it as "dated". But the striped and printed fabrics looked like an obsolete style of luxury-decorating. In that sense it wasn't "better" than a glossy modern business hotel interior.