I feel like we really lucked out with this hotel - a 5 star experience at a 4 star price. It's a beautiful hotel in a great, high-end location (just off Via Veneto). And the service is better than many 5 star hotels - very responsive and with a friendly and pleasant attitude - including the staff in the bar and restaurant, as well as the reception clerks.

We booked the Rose Garden after reading the many glorious reviews on this site, and I must admit we were slightly disappointed. Maybe we got our hopes up too much, maybe the poor euro/pound exchange rate tainted our stay, or maybe we are just a little unfamiliar with high Rome prices - either way we didn't feel this hotel was as reasonable as others had made out.

We shopped around before booking and found a rate of about €175 per room per night (about £175 per night due to the current exchange rate). It pays to shop around as some sites were charging double this. However, this did not include breakfast which, had we wanted, would have been an additional €15 per person per night. Many of the hotels and cafes within walking distance offered breakfast for a similar rate; a 15 minute walk towards the city centre took us to a variety of cafes serving cappuccinos and croissants for a fraction of the price.

We found the reception staff friendly enough, although the hotel seemed deserted! Maybe it was the time of year - the weekend before Christmas - but throughout our four night stay we only saw two other guests!

The pool area was lovely, though very small and intimate if you happen to turn up the same time as anyone else, as there are only two loungers. But just to have an indoor pool & sauna in the centre of Rome was a luxury in itself.

The rooms were fairly spacious and very clean, though some items of furniture were looking rather tired. And the bathroom was lovely despite the heavily chipped marble around the tub. Being six months pregnant and a true tea-drinking Brit I was a bit disappointed that there were no tea/coffee making facilities in the room - returning to our room for a hot drink, feet up, at the end of a tiring day would have been nice. I know we could have asked room service, but at €12/£12 for two hot drinks it was one expense too many!

Oh yes - and the 'free' mini bar. Not so free, actually. Ours wasn't even switched on, so all the drinks were warm and they weren't free at all! From what I recall I think a small 500ml bottle of water was €5, and a Coke was €6! There was a Spar right around the corner selling chilled 1.5l water for 0.20€ - much better!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a cheapskate. Over the years we have stayed in various places - from 2 star budget Travelodges to 5 star hotels and we like to treat ourselves when we go on holiday. However, we didn't feel like this was the bargain everyone seemed to make out - even though overall it is a nice hotel and I would consider staying there again, should we return to Rome. Next time though, I'll definitely pack a travel kettle!

I have stayed in several hotels in Rome and this was by far, the best yet. Great location; nicely appointed and large rooms... beautiful garden patio. The public areas are modern and understated.

The staff was very helpful, especially Max at the front desk and the bellman. When we arrived(early), our room wasn't ready but we were offered complementary drinks and had to wait only about 10 minutes.

The location of the hotel is down the street from the Westin Execelsior... and across from the American Embassy. easy to and from.

A really great hotel....

I stayed at the Rose Garden Palace in October and was so impressed. I was delighted to find a great mix of travelers at the hotel and a very international atmosphere. I am no stranger to Rome, and having stayed at a variety of hotels over the years I would say that the combination of price, style, location, and professionalism here was special.

The hotel is in a renovated palazzo just off the Via Veneto, within a short walk to the Spanish Steps. Being in Rome on business, it was easy for me to get to any point in the city for my appointments and for sightseeing. The staff at the reception desk was invaluable at helping with directions, train and bus routes, and restaurant recommendations.

I love the decor of the hotel. The rooms are spacious, decorated in a soft contemporary style, elegant in an unobtrusive way, and everything works! The minibar has water and soft drinks only, but they are complimentary. I thought this was a great idea considering how much some hotels charge for minibar items. If I wanted a cocktail I went down to the wonderful lounge and sipped my drink either with other guests or outside in the rose garden. Yes, there really is a rose garden.

The food at the hotel requires special mention. I have eaten many a buffet breakfast in hotels throughout Italy. Many of them rather ho-hum. On the contrary, here you will find an impressive spread including fresh breads, freshly cut-up fruit salad, huge wedges of cheeses, and, best of all, homemade tarts and pastries. I also recommend having lunch or dinner in their in-house restaurant. I invited friends to dinner there and we all enjoyed it tremendously. The service was attentive and professional. The food was great.

There is a fitness room and lovely zen-like pool in the lower level of the hotel, which is also complimentary to guests. After a day walking your feet off in Rome, a dip in that pool was divine.

I recommend the Rose Garden Palace to all types of travelers, business, leisure, even families. The location is great, the atmosphere is relaxing (which is a plus in a city like Rome!) and all the comforts you want are there. Overall, it's hard to beat. Take it from an experienced traveler.