My family (my wife, our daughter, and my parents) had a remarkable stay at the Piranesi.

We live in Italy part of the year and are familiar with Rome and its hotels. This was our first visit to the Piranesi and we will return.

The hotel itself has a smart, elegant feel without ovetones of any aloofness or pretension. The rooms have a clean, sharp look that are inviting and combine warm wood tones with crisp linens.

The terraces, french doors, and high ceilings add the perfect compliment to the directoire style furniture. This is not of course forgeting the modern, marble bathrooms and air conditioning that will be appreciated by any of us who insist upon visiting Rome in the summer.

The roof top bar is fab! Looking out over the Piazza del Popolo and the Borghese gardens drives home the realization that the Piranesi is in the premier area of Rome for fun, elegance, and, oh, by the way, two Caravaggios accross the square.

Yes, you could stay at the de Russie (literally, accross the street)and pay three times as much, but why? Enjoy Rome, and spend your time and money on other memories than a hotel bill.

Sir Michael Farell Massa, KHS
Lady Wendy Alison Massa, LHS

Very centrally located on Via del Babuino between Piazza del Popolo & the Spanish Steps, opposite the De Russie Hotel

Rated 4 stars, but should be a maximum of 3 stars, principally because of its location.

Additionally, we were NOT told that one cannot drive right up to the front door … traffic is restricted and only those who are licensed (i.e. taxis) are permitted on the road. After driving in circles around the Giardini Borghesi entirely too many times, we finally phoned the hotel to learn that they would send the doorman to meet up on the other side of the Piazza del Popolo and he would guide us back to the hotel. Once my son, daughter and I departed with him, my husband had to return the car to Europcar in a subterranean parking lot and make his way to the hotel. He was exhausted and dripping wet by the time he arrived … he ended up taking a rather long and roundabout route that had been recommended by Europcar. He desperately needed a shower and a drink!!!

We booked a jr. suite which turned out to be a largish room with a double bed and 2 roll away cots. The mattresses were hard, the sheets not high quality, no extra pillows.
The bathtub/shower was so poorly designed that it leaked every time one took a shower. We had to ask for extra towels.
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No Internet because the owners are still thinking about it (this is not 1990! and a hotel in Rome that represents itself as a 4 star hotel should have internet access!) I had to walk to an Internet café on the other side of the Piazza del Popolo to check e-mail.

Breakfast was the standard cold meats, cereal, fruit salad, etc. The staff cleaning up in, what appeared to be, a kitchen adjacent to the dining room was very noisy.

We would have been thrilled had it been rated a 2 star hotel, but it wasn’t. Will not stay here again.

Lovely roof-top garden helps somewhat compensate for the
small rooms which barely accommodates luggage. Staff was friendly and helpful. Breakfast was nicely done and offered something for everyone.

The BEST part of this hotel is that is is newly renovated (new, clean bathrooms, floors and furniture) and it is directly across from the Hotel de Rossie, which is the nicest hotel in Rome... So, when I stay there, I walk across the street for the Rossie amenities (including use of their concierge for my reservations etc).....

The questionable part of the Hotel is that it is very Italian -- room sizes and prices vary greatly. If you speak some Italian or can work the system, you can get an excellent value.

The small rooms are small but OK for a single traveler. If you are a couple, and are not able to assert yourself, you do run a risk here which is why I hold back one star from the hotel that I find to be the best deal in Rome.