The “Grand” Hotel Hermitage is labeled as a 4 star hotel, and from the looks of their very selective website, it appears so. As a guest in this hotel, let me inform you, ignore that website totally.

The room I had was very small, which I won’t really complain about, but it was lacking some things such as: working heat, remotes for the television and tissues. The most important thing lacking was a safe. I repeat, there is NO SAFE in any of the rooms in the hotel. The rude desk staff informed me that it was 5 Euros a day to place something in their safety deposit box.

I will also mention here that my bag, on the first day, was moved, opened, and looked though by the cleaning staff. I had read a review from another guest who stated that his bags were also given a once over.

The rooms were not filthy, but not a standard of clean that I find acceptable. The glasses in the room were dirty, as was the shower, and just about everything in the bathroom.

My balcony consisted of stained outdoor carpeting, and a broken table with no chairs, and a perfect view of the hotel next door. There were no windows in the room, only the door to the balcony (which could not be fully opened.)

The breakfast consisted of cold hardboiled eggs, coffee, some hams and yogurts. It was not good, but other than the eggs, not terrible, except for the fact that every piece of silverware was dirty, as were the glasses and most of the plates.

The hotel is in a suburb of Rome, and is miles away from any attraction. Again, do not believe their website. I was lucky enough to be with a tour group who bussed us into the city. If not you would have to take expensive cabs. This suburb did not exactly feel safe either; I do not recommend walking around by yourself past dark.

Overall, I would rate the “Grand Hotel” a 2.5, or 3 star, but somehow it is a 4… On my trip to Italy I stayed in 4 hotels, 2 of which were 3 stars, and those two far, FAR, surpassed the Grand Hotel in every way. My advice is, please, stay somewhere else. If you still want to give it a shot, you’ve been warned.

Having read previous reviews, my wife and I were a bit nervous about our booking. However, having just spent 2 weekend nights we were pleasantly surprised.
We arrived late on the Friday night and we were met by a very friendly reception staff member who directed us to a wonderful restaurant 5 minutes walk away.
The room was very acceptable and clean with several small bathroom samples which gave it an upmarket feel. Our only criticisms of the room was how thin the walls are ...or maybe we just had very noisy neighbours! and that there was no access to any hot drinks other than at breakfast!
The bus is very close to the Hotel and we never had to wait very long for one to arrive. Accepted that it only takes you to Termini but that is a fairly good base for the major sites and buying a day pass for 4Euros each meant that we travelled all over Rome by Bus/Metro/Tram and Train very cheaply.
The continental breakfast was very much what we expected but the setting was quite spectacular....balcony overlooking a large chandeliered ballroom!
We did go out late on the Saturday night and was concerned about the Taxi charge after midnight to a Hotel far from the centre...we need not have worried as it was a very reasonable charge ie. 13 Euros from Prati near the Vatican City.
All in all an enjoyable stay.

I agree with other fellow travelers: this hotel is terrible! I don't know where it got its 4 stars rating from. It's not more than a 1-star place!
My room was very small and definitely looked old. The bathroom was clean but required uergent refurbishment. Breakfast was very poor. Luckily I slept here only one night, checking it late in the evening and checking out at 7.30 a.m. the next day!

As this hotel was booked through the organisation that was arranging the conference I was attending in Rome, I did not have any input in choosing the hotel. When we got to the hotel (which is really quite far out of town), we were told we were being transferred to another hotel in the chain for one night. Not being difficult people, we readily took the taxi that they paid for and were transferred to Hotel Eliseo (from the same Leonardi Hotels chain). It was ok for 4 stars, but more on the 3 stars level.

The following morning we were transported back to the Hermitage, where our room was not yet ready, so we were allowed to leave our luggage behind the reception while we went back into town. When we returned at 11 p.m. and asked if our luggage was moved to our room, the concierge seemed quite amused by the idea that they could actually have placed our luggage in the Room once it had become ready!

Not seeing a remote control for the air conditioning, I called the reception but was told that they had the remote, but I would have to speak with the manager the following morning! So, no alternative but to leave the window opened! Wall paper was also peeling of the walls - Definitely not four star quality.

The bathroom is so small that my legs were almost upto my chin when sitting on the toilet..... The shower head would fall off the hook each time the water was turned off. At breakfast, the coffee was cold, and when one of the guests asked for hot coffee, the waitress became very upset and pushed her trolly against the wall. This was really a scene out of Fawlty Towers!

In short, avoid this hotel if you can, but then again, the others in Rome might not be much better .....