PORTRAIT SUITES
Arrived at the Rome Termini train station determined not to be ripped off by a cab driver, like we usually are. This time the driver not only sped up the meter, he dropped us off at the corner of a one way street and explained that if he took us all the way to PORTRAIT SUITES he would have to drive a much greater distance. He said that the hotel was merely 30 meters down the street. So we paid him the 30 EUROS on the meter and rolled out luggage down the cobble stoned street. The hotel was FIVE blocks away. I will never take a taxi at the Rome Termini again.
Arrived at PORTRAIT SUITES sweaty, tired and pissed off. Things changed rapidly when we were greeted by the staff. It was truly like arriving at a friends home for a visit. The hotel looks more like a private residence than a business. And the staff, especially the vivacious and beautiful Giordana, was lovely and very welcoming. The room was, as requested, not on the street side and thus completely quiet with no street noise. The king bed was very comfortable with plush linens and bedding. The marble bathroom was adequate and the shower was huge. The floor of the shower was strangely slippery when dry and stable when wet. The room had a large desk. The electric outlets at the desk were difficult to reach. There was a kitchenette with microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator and utensils. The closet was large with much drawer space. The hotel location was superb, better than the Russie where we usually stay. We were very happy with Portrait Suites and will return. My one complaint is the breakfast which, though very adequate by Italian standards was not sufficient for us.

We arrived at the Portrait Suites after 2 disappointing nights at Il palazzetto (separate review on that one) and found everything about this hotel amazing:
- Location - on the Via Condotti so next to the Spanish steps and in the middle of all the shops. Fantastic
- Staff - absolutely outstanding. Nothing is too much effort and you feel that they genuinely want you to have the best time e.g. we were having a drink on the roof terrace one evening and thought it was getting a bit chilly when a member of staff arrive with some beautiful blankets to keep us warm! Always with a smile. Recoomendations for restaurants or on how to avoid the queues at the major sites were spot on
- Room beautifully furnished, great attention to detail, nice little kitchenette/bar all hidden away, lovely balcony over via condotti. perfect
- Roof terrace - exceptional views, beautifully furnished with a fireplace and candles in the evening and an honesty bar which is a nice touch. Breakafst there in the morning was a treat
- Check in/check out - seamless, charming - feels more like welcome and good by than a business transaction.
All in all, we loved it and will definitely be back on our next trip to Rome!

My husband and I spent four fabulous nights at the Portrait Suites in Rome over Valentine's Day weekend. The staff, location, service and rooms were superb.

Location, location, location : Portrait Suites is hands down the best location in Rome. It sits above the men's Ferragamo Store and is located right next to Versace and across the street from Hermes on the Via Condotti, so bring your credit card ! But, the most spectacular locale near the hotel is the world-famous Spanish Steps, which you can view while enjoying a glass of wine atop the hotel's wonderful rooftop terrace.

Although the weather was chilly we spent many evenings on the rooftop terrace, enjoying a glass of wine by the fireplace while trying to decide where to go for dinner . With all the amazing choices, making dinner plans in Rome can be difficult, but the hotel's capable staff was always ready with a recommendation and an offer to make reservations on our behalf.

The hotel is small - it has only 14 rooms - but the atmosphere is cozy and inviting. The rooms are spacious and include all the requisite amenities for a comfortable home away from home; features include a mini-kitchen equipped with a microwave, cooktop, and coffee/espresso machine, a spacious refrigerator, flat-screen TV, and the most comfortable beds we have ever enjoyed in Europe. There is also plenty of closet and storage space to accommodate all the purchases you are bound to make when you succumb to temptation in the many upscale stores located within a stone's throw of the hotel. Alas, the sumptuous continental breakfast served every morning just about eliminates the need to fire up any kitchen appliances.

Check-in, if you can call it that, is seamless and feels more like a very personal and inviting welcome into your own private apartment in Rome.

Portrait Suites is a wonderful property and a must for anyone considering a Valentine's Day stay in Rome. There is no better place to be with the person you love than in Rome, especially if you want to pick up that extra something special in the most fabulous shopping area in the world!!

After going through all the options for my accommodations in Rome i finally settled with portrait suites. Here are the reasons why to stay in portrait suites.

1. Location - Since we were only spending a few nights in Rome it was the location of the hotel that sealed the deal. Its right smack on Via Condoti and walking distance to almost all the sites.

2. Service - This is what makes the hotel very very special. Service was very genuine and effortless.

3. Design- Contemporary yet it did not feel cold, maybe it was because of the service. The room was spacious , the roof top was excellent and the honesty bar was the best way to relax and take in the view of the spanish steps after walking all day.