We stayed for three nights 8/18-21 at Albergo Ottocento after a cruise that ended in Civitavecchia. The only weak points of the hotel are as follows: air conditioning in rooms could be better, howver, in their defense we were there when it was 109 degrees F, so I guess that any air conditioning may have not really cooled things off adequately; Wi-Fi was only in the lobby--not in rooms, however, to their credit, the lobby was furnished with a comfortable sofa and chairs (and near a cool a/c vent) so that it wasn't much of a problem; breakfast was just so-so--we've travelled extensively through Europe and have had more varied and sumptuous food, here the pastries were just adequate, there was only stewed/canned fruit, one type of cheese, one type of coldcut (we don't eat meat so we don't know how good or bad it was) some cereal , canned juices and mineral water. I will say that the cappucino was wonderful (as were the excellent coffee candies in a bowl near the front desk), and the service was very pleasant. On the good side--the hotel is right where you want to be midway between Piazza Barberini and the Spanish Steps (at the top), a block away from the Via Veneto. The rooms were very quiet, and although small, were not the uber-small, climb over suitcase small that you sometimes find in Rome (and I've stayed in a few like that). In fact, the triple room that my teenage kids had was a very decent size. The management and employees were most helpful, gracious, efficient, charming and funny, and on balance we had a most excellent and enjoyable stay. I recommend this hotel most highly because price-wise we were able to save a lot over other comparable 4 star properties in the Spanish Steps area or other areas I looked into (Pantheon, Piazza del Popolo, near the Coso, etc.). It cost us 855 Euro for 3 nights in a double and triple room--the nearest competition was over 1,000 Euro for the same type of rooms during the same time period. It gave us some money to be able to afford San Crispino Gelato near the Trvi fountain on Via de Panneteria 42. Also, if you want a restaurant tip--try Margutta Ristorarte (no this is not a typo) at Via Margutta 118. It is a restaurant/art gallery with an haute vegetarian menu--including various tasting menus. Fabulous food, with mainstream taste (if you didn't know it was a vegetarian restaurant you'd love it too). It has been around since 1979 so they must be doing something right!
