this is not a 4* so dont expect the usual care and attention!!!!!!!

on arriving we were given room 310 ( dont stay in this one )
the room its self was a decent size but with three exposed walls it was freezing there was no hot water or heating due to some problem i know these things happen but very little help from the reception. We eventually were moved to the sister hotel valle just around the corner and what a difference, warm and friendly staff and a comfortable room which was a lot cleaner ( no crack and leaking toilet cistern and dirty seat ) than the antico. all you are paying for at the antico is its position.
on the whole the antico is a cold hotel with equally cold and unhelpful reception staff ( well not really they had a portable heater in the reception to keep them warm which was more than we were offered ) nice building but that is it

We had 3 nights at this hotel in Feb and came away feeling that it was ok, but would not stay there again. The location is great and it looks good from the outside with all public areas looking very good. Our room was clean and tidy with a king size bed and serviced daily with clean towels. The bathroom let it down - VERY small, a window with a sign saying 'please do not open window', no ventilation and a fixed head shower that is OK if you are over 6ft tall - but at least there was plenty of hot water. One reason we chose this hotel is it lists on it's own web site and on tripadvisor as having a cocktail bar - we like to relax with a coffee and drink at the end of the evening, but we were told at reception that there is no bar and you must use the minibar in your room (which has limited drinks) - no tea/coffee facilities in room. Overall I would say good 3 star, but struggles to be a 4 star.

Anyone who has read my other reviews will know that I like hotels that feel like a better version of home. This one fits the bill.

The whole place is spotless and gleaming. Some rooms are better than others, with views of Santa Maria Maggiore. Mine looked onto a side street, which was still quaint and got plenty of light. I booked a double room for single use, so it was pretty roomy and had a very big bed for just a little more money. My mother had just booked a standard single room, which was a little on the small side.

The best part was the 2nd floor library with marble floors, comfy chairs and sofas, and some decent books and magazines in stock. We had some other friends staying in Rome at the same time, so this was good place for us all to meet up without having to crowd into someone's room or loiter in the lobby. It was also a good place to just go and relax between sightseeing and dinner. It definitely felt like I had my own Roman palazzo at a really reasonable price.

Breakfast was fine. We were there in winter, so didn't get to experience it in the courtyard, which must be a great thing!

The staff were very friendly and helpful, and the location was very convenient to transport and all that Rome has to offer. We walked everywhere!

We stayed at this lovely hotel for 8 nights, Dec. 23 to Dec. 31, 2006. When we checked in the afternoon, the rooms were ready. There is a small elevator for use in the hotel. We had 2 rooms overlooking the center courtyard (double and triple). This was lovely and very quite. We had friends that had 2 rooms looking out at the Basillica on the street and it was a little more noisy (but they sleep with the windows open).

Room: Nice size. The beds very comfortable. We had a full length mirror but my kids did not (not a problem for us). We had a bathtub with a hand spray which I thought may be a problem, but we loved it. The spray was hot and strong. My kids had a shower. The bathrooms were a nice size and there were some shampoo ammeneties and a small bar of soap there (I also brought a bar for the shower). I bring my own shampoo everywhere too. There is a toilet and bidet (could not get the hang of this...I am too American I guess!). There is TV with CNN international and bbc world in english and my kids loved MTV which has Italian commentary but they do not dub over the stars comments and songs. There is a refrigerator with waters, soda (cans), juice and wine. We bought waters and sodas (plastic bottles) and stored some in the frig and it was not a problem so we were not charged for waters, etc. There is a hanging closet and a small draw. The storage was enough for me and half of hubbies (he kept extra stuff in the suitcase on the luggage tray). My kids kept stuff in their suitcases because there was not alot of storage room in the room and they tend to do this anyway at many hotels. They are teens, so I let them manage their own clothes. The rooms are not adjoining, but that was not a problem for us. The windows have shutters that close and keep it dark if you want to sleep a little late one day. Overall, very comfortalbe.

Breakfast: nice continental breakfast. The friendly staff make you a cappuccino or expresso. There is regular coffee, hot tea, hot milk and cold milk, cereals, muffins, crackers, pastries, hot weiners, cheese and salami and ham, hard boiled eggs, fruit (pineapple or peaches) and yogurts each day. The rooms is cheery the table has linens and plates have charger plates underneath, so it is very lovely.

Staff: Very friendly and helpful. Gave us directions when we wanted and always responded to my emails prior to my stay.

Hotel: there is several sitting areas (including one off the lobby for meeting friends) and a library (very nice) and computer with internet connection for free. The hotel seems to attract a European crowd since it does not advertise in most USA internet sites I have used. It was family friendly and 3 blocks from the Termini. There is also a taxi stand across the street and many buses go by. The open bus stops there too. There is SMA (supermarket) across the piazza and a UPIM (department store) too. Make sure you stop by the coffee shop next door for an afternoon latte. Phillip was very friendly and said hello to us each day. My girls thought he was attractive too!

Overall: We loved the stay! We slept great, had a wonderful time in 'Rome and the hotel was quite a bargain. We paid 100 euros per night for the triple and 90 for the double (except on Dec. 30 when the price went up for the holiday weekend).