I live in NYC and I have to say that, for traveling to another major city, I was very happy with the Hotel Giotto. As a Manhattanite, I see MANY tourists come in and out of my beloved city. Some are more comfortable doing what the masses do and staying where the masses stay. Times Square is just fine, but those in-the-know are quite cognizant of where the deeper, more cultural wonders of our city exist. Of COURSE, this experienced urban dweller wanted to see all of the tourist traps of Rome. But, I also wanted to do as the Romans do. Hotel Giotto was perfect for this.

The hotel is outside of Rome proper, so to speak. I would sort of compare it to staying in Berkeley and traveling into San Fran, or staying in the very hip and posh areas of Williamsburg or Park Slope and traveling to Manhattan. We did everything by bus and train, which was completely accessible and near the hotel. It was so nice because the hotel's location was away from all the tourists - it was more "neighborhood" friendly - and if I were staying in Manhattan, I'd rather stay in the West Village than Times Square, which was a similar experience here. Giotto was located near better, more authentic restaurants (rather than the Hard Rock Rome), was in a quite neighborhood near a school, had a wonderful grocery store within walking distance and a nice, higher end gastronomia (for NYKERS a delicatessen) even closer. The gastronomia sold slices of authentic pizzas, inexpensive bottles of wine, cheese, crackers, Nutella, etc. It was perfect for stocking our hotel for times when we were hungry and places were closed (due to jet lag or during siestas).

On to the facilities themselves. Everything was clean. The rooms ARE small. Seemed everything was smaller in Rome compared to the US thoughg: tiny cars, smaller portions of food, etc. I didn't mind because, again, everything in NYC (apartments, hotel rooms, space on the subways) except buildings and population is probably smaller than most places due to space. Plus, I was always out of the hotel. You're in Rome, get out and see it! When I was at the hotel, everything was modern and clean and the right size and space for what I needed. It had blackout shades to make the room nice and dark for siesta and when I was trying to get acclimated to the time change. The staff was so very helpful and friendly. One night, as we were leaving for dinner, one of the staff members chased us down to give us a bit of important information. His English was not so good, but he wanted to let us know that Alanis Morissette was playing a FREE concert outdoors in the Piazza del Popolo! So nice. I wouldn't have known otherwise.