Heejin K.
Google
The hotel is in a very convenient location, close to Roma Termini (about a 10-minute walk) and Roman ruins (approximately 18 minutes on foot). A few good restaurants, pastry shops, and supermarkets are also nearby.
We booked a basic room through Booking.com. The room was spacious, clean, and had a retro style (e.g., a large key holder, a traditional bidet, two shower faucets, towels, and décor similar to what you can see in my photos).
I was initially very worried after reading the lowest-rated reviews. Many mentioned unpleasant staff interactions, with some implying racism or insensitivity. Fortunately, I did not experience anything to that extent, but there were still areas where the hotel could improve.
At check-in, a male staff member asked for my passport, which I understand is required for identity verification. However, I was asked to sign something related to privacy in Italian and was instructed to check two boxes on a screen without any explanation. I felt I had no choice but to sign in order to access my room. I wish they had provided English documentation or at least explained what I was signing.
After that, they kept my passport and green card, saying I could retrieve them later at the counter once they completed the process. I have never had this experience at other hotels in Italy, which made me uneasy. My husband and I assumed they needed to make copies using their equipment rather than taking photos, as everything there seemed quite traditional.
Later, I learned (through ChatGPT) that the Italian government requires hotels to register travelers’ information. I understand that the hotel is following government regulations, but a bit more sensitivity and explanation would have helped.
The staff member who checked us in told us we could get a 10% discount on breakfast and gave us a coupon. The next day, I asked another staff member how much the discounted breakfast would cost. He replied, in an upsetting tone, that the discount applied only to drinks, not food. I wasn’t concerned about the price, but I wanted to compare whether it made more sense to eat at the hotel or at another restaurant. I don’t understand why such a simple question was answered so rudely.
Several times when we entered the hotel, some staff members had their backs turned to us, were answering the phone, and did not acknowledge our presence at all. Not all staff behaved this way, but it happened often enough to feel noticeable and made us feel unwelcome.
Would I come back to this hotel? I’m not sure. It could have been a 4-out-of-5 stay, but due to the discomfort I experienced, I would rate it 3 out of 5.