This hotel was located in a quiet street off the busy Via Natiozionale. The advantage of being so close to one of the main streets in Rome afforded convenient acccessibility to the bus routes and within walking distance of the metro at Piazza Republica. The location of the hotel also meant that you did not have to suffer any of the traffic noise that is usually experienced when situated directly onto a main road.
The hotel itself was small and intimate. The staff were extremely friendly and efficient and spoke excellent English. The rooms were typically small for a city centre hotel but exceptionally clean with daily maid service. There was a safe in the room, suprisingly enough, you did not have to pay for the use of the safe key.
My only criticism was the breakfast which consisted of rice crispies or cornflakes and milk, a bread roll with butter or preserve and a croissant. Drinks were juice, water, tea or coffee. This offering did not deviate for the 4 mornings we were there. Suffice to say after the second morning we made alternative arrangements in one of the many cafes surrounding the hotel.
Rome was everything I expected it to be and more. I found the `Romans` generally helpful and friendly - a real contrast to the residents of Milan.
Be prepared for an awful lot of walking - you will not see everything but if you plan for the sites you want to see and use the public transport system wisely - you will not be disappointed.
A word of advice - all the literature about Rome will advise you about pickpockets. Having visited various cities across Europe and America, I would regard myself as quite cautious and sensible about my belongings, but Rome was something else, the excessive amount of people using the buses and metro system provide the crafty pickpocket with ample opportunity to steal your belongings as my partner experienced on our second day into the visit. Upon reflection, the theives worked in pairs, were very well dressed and extremely good at what they do. Fortunately, they only got away with about 50 euros as we had placed everything of worth in our hotel safe.
Do not let this deter you from using what is otherwise a really efficient and quick way of getting around the city. The friendlieness of the other citizens of Rome restored my good opinion of the city and its residents.
To experience a real Roman trattatoria, visit the Est Est Est across the road from the hotel. The Pizzas are to die for and the service was second to none.
Finally, I would advise you to use the audio guides wherever possible as there is such a lot of information for the tourist to take in - audio guides are relatively inexpensive but main attractions such as the Collesseum, Roman Forum and Vatican Museum require you to provide identification i.e. passport, ID card, or a credit card. My advice would be for you to take something that you can use as ID but not of any real value.
Useful tip - we purchased a 7 day pass which allowed us access on all public transport - cost 14 euro per person, this pass proved to be a pair of feets best friend.
