Martina House,Lazio,Rome,Italy.
Date:September 2008
Reviewer:Family trip with friend, from Scotland.
I have seen some dodgy reviews about Martina House and wanted to say to prospective travellers to please ignore them. Five of us have just returned from a four day break in Rome where we thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Martina House. Not only were we met by the lovely Martina herself,they arranged very reasonable transport for us from the airport directly to Martina House. The place itself is stunning-the pictures cannot do it justice. The location is perfect for sightseeing-by foot to many places,but is handy for two metro stations. Martina made us so welcome and offered handy tips for places to go to and to eat at. She also made us lovely breakfasts-including chocolate cake,much to my daughter and son's delight!
We were made so welcome and were able to leave our luggage there after checking out as our flight was in the evening and we had more sight-seeing to do!
We are sure that we will return and would highly recommend Martina House to anybody.

really don't bother unless nothing else is available. We arrived about 9pm after travelling since 4pm to a grumpy lady who was not impressed she was having to wait for us as she lived elsewhere. Only thing she was interested in was getting cash payment up front, 'we can do the paperwork tomorrow as it's late'. The card machine wasn't working so it had to be cash. The next morning the machine was and balance had to be paid as she was not going to be around the following morning for check out. When I asked for a receipt for the cash she offered a hand written receipt and accused me of calling her dishonest when I said I wanted a proper business one. The hotel was in a great location, the room was a good size and had a large couch, although we were supplied with half a roll of toilet paper, no soap and old, thin towels. As other travellers have said the breakfast is less than satisfactory and the kitchen was appallingly dirty. Perfectly acceptable if you don't market yourself as a 4 star B&B and charge like one. We don't recommend.

Surpassed expectations, excellent value, perfect location and the friendliest hosts.

The period decor makes this room something very special (original 18th century doors etc). And the 800 channel satellite was pretty cool too (if you speak German or Arabic). The iron gated lift is the quaintest of features (though if you've more than a couple of large cases you'll need more than one trip!).

The room has no internet, tea or coffee making facilities and no phone. But this is a minor inconvenience when there's plenty of great Italian coffee right outside your door (and who wants to be stuck inside on the internet/phone when there's all of Rome on your doorstep?).

The breakfast is pretty small. But what you lack in food you more than make up for with the excellent company of your host/hostess.

Would definitely recommend to friends and family and if we're lucky enough to get back to Rome - would be really dissapointed if we didn't get to stay here again.

I booked Martina House as a 4 star category. It might be too much to give them 2 star.
It not a house but a flat in a building with several rooms. The entrance is gloomy and the lift very narrow. The inadequate breakfast was given at minimum doses. The furniture in the room my wife and I stayed is very anarchic. From Ikea luggage unvarnished table to a greatgrandmother noisy wardrobe. Even a night side table have to be claimed because it was not there. The bathroom was not bad but contrasted with an Ikea rag mat but the towels were did not smell clean and the shower soap was very short. The cleaning needed to improve specially under the beds full of fluff/dust. No phone/internet available despite being offered in contract. (this disturbed us greatly as we could not communicate easily with family or anyone, including the owners). No possibility of contact with proprietors except from breakfast time. Where was the four star accommodation and service? We deeply regret we were not able to find it. However, one positive point is the situation in Rome. But this did not compensate all the troubles we suffered. Even if we were refunded fifty per cent of the charges by Iberia hotels. Frankly, we are surprised by the good comments of many users. We do not recommend this apartment.