We (a family of four) spent a night in Philia landing in Rome befeore travelling to Umbria. I had been searching a budget accomodation and was scared when found this hotel on hostels(!) site. The family was a little bit scared. What a shock waited us!
More then modest entrance (with a small table on building's wall), but after that... Small but clean, nice, well equipped rooms, good service (it is really a hotel, do not hesitate).
The location is ideal - four short blocks from Termini central station. Next day we went with our luggage to take our car (at Termini) by feet - it is so close. Via Palestro street itself is not noisy and full of trattorias, restourants and other food services right near the hotel - we were excited and used the opportunity.
Thinking that hotel prices in Rome are terrible (I reserved another two nights, when we returned from Umbria, in "Trojano" hotel - just guess the price) it is a really decent, worth to know budget accomodation.

I strongly do not recommend you to stay in this hotel. The room is dark and small plus it has a strange smell. The lift is a very old one and it was completely covered by dust as if the life had been out of operation for decades. THE worst thing which really ----- me off is the attitude of a white-hair staff at the reception. When we came to check in, they said we could leave our baggages in the breakfast room as the check-in time is 2pm. When we checked out, we would like to do the same as our flight was at 11pm. However, to our surprise, we were told that they could not accept our baggages - no baggage room!!! i said we didn't mind putting our baggages in the breakfast room - presumably it won't take much space. but guess we were told - "CHECK IS IN ONE QUESTION, and CHECK OUT IS ANOTHER QUESTION." see?! poor service, poor environment - plus the price isn't cheap - if you are looking for a hostel in rome, any one but not this!

We arrived in Rome late on a Friday night and expected something simple but clean and comfortable. Boy were we wrong. On arrival, the check in area was cramped and dirty as was the lift up to our floor. It felt like something out of a 1980's horror film. As we walked along the corridor it got slightly better but as we entered the room our hearts sank. The room was small, dark , noisy and smelly. The bed was so very uncomfortable and the blankets were not clean. Trying to get to sleep was a nightmare as you couldn't help but think of all the other guests who had used the bedding over the years, without it being washed in between - that's how it felt. However, worse was still to come...there was some noise from the rooms above ours which we thought would settle down shortly. However when 3 o'clock came, we realised that the chance of sleep that night was going to be slim. We decided the following day that we could not endure it for another two nights and booked into the hotel imperiale, which was lovely. However, when we came to check out, the manager was really funny with us and I actually felt very threatened. I kept asking how much I needed to pay, but he was unhappy about us leaving and wouldn't give me a straight answer. We will never go back there again. I have stayed in many hostels before and none of them have had such poor standars as this one. yuk. The only redeeming thing from our stay here was that breakfast was reasonable and the waiter was friendly enough.

This last week, we travelled to Rome in a study trip. Hotel Philia was our "home" for five days. At a first glance, it seemed a little bit worrying (mainly the elevator which needs maintenance)but when inside, we had some pleasant surprises: the rooms were comfortable, clean and the staff was always ready to help us. Considering that it is a two-star residential, specially intended for backpackers, it highly fulfilled our expectations. We strongly advise any teacher in a study trip to stay there. It is also very well located. Our special thanks go to Mr.Giovanni ( a little bit frightening but just in the beginning), to Manuel, always with a pleasant smile at breakfast and specially to Stefanno, who was always considering, polite, friendly and attentive to the needs of a group of 22 students and teachers. It was really a pleasure.Thank you for a nice staying.

Gabriela, Florbela , Elsa and all the students from E.B. 2,3/S. Dr.Isidoro de Sousa de Viana do Alentejo, Portugal