Palazzo Navona Hotel
"How did it strike you on arrival?Palazzo Navona Hotel has a knack for design—from the tripod lamps in the lobby to the (intentionally) mismatched lounging chairs in the bar. Hues span the dusky brown-grey end of the color palette, with pops of color throughout, making the hotel feel fun and cool. Nice. What’s the crowd like?There are all sorts of swanky guests here, from young professionals looking for a stylish abode to a whole tribe of fun-loving art aficionados traveling on a four-star budget. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.Classic Rooms are the hotel’s least expensive, but even at just 59-square-feet, they are smartly designed and filled with light, which makes them feels spacious and homely—in other words, on a rainy day you’d be happy to just hang out, watching a movie on a flatscreen TV. White walls and charcoal flooring help, making it all feel crisp and new. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?You can choose between a King size bed or twin beds, both have standard pillows and sheets—nothing too fancy, but definitely good enough to help you get a good night’s sleep. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?We would have loved to nick the nifty Samsung Smartphone with free internet and free calls to Europe, the U.S., and Canada. The mini-bar is free, and the in-room kettle with complimentary herbal tea is a rather nice touch when you want something non-caffeinated to drink. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.Let’s get to the important stuff: all the products are made by Italian boho brand Etro, and come in such decent sizes that we were tempted to stash them away in our bag. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?Wi-Fi is free, with a strong enough signal for us to Skype family back home without any connection problems. Staff: If you could award one a trophy, who gets it, and why?The staff—from the reception to the breakfast room—are so uniformly lovely, they deserve medals. No task is too difficult, from arranging tickets to a football match to packing a special early-morning departure breakfast, complete with hot coffee and fresh-from-the-oven pastries. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.The rooftop terrace and wine bar is as sleek as the rest of the hotel, and so special you won’t feel guilty for having a 6 p.m. aperitivo in the hotel, rather than outside. Because sometimes that’s just what you feel like. What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?Nothing has been skimped on here, but it’s the small touches of hotel’s design philosophy that stand out the most, from the designer toiletries to stylish rooms. Bottom line: worth it, and why?It’s not every day you find a hotel that, while not five-star, has everything you need for a city break. Definitely worth the money." - Maresa Manara
