Great but expensive and other Rome, Italy Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

Let's start with the bad things, shall we?
I have never doubted that I during my life at least once would go into the hotel bathroom, and find it filled with cockroaches. But I doubted very much that that moment would come in a 4* Sheraton hotel...
Still that was what met me when I got up late one of the nights to get some water. Was not a very nice feeling to stay there barefoot and suddently see something small and black run around my feet...

Over to the good parts instead then.
The reception staff acted with a great action, transfered me to another room immediately despite the fact that it was 2.30am, and also offered me to bring me my luggage immediately.

Except for this incident above, I enjoyed my stay at the hotel very much. It's a very luxury hotel, with huge rooms, designed in a very relaxing way, very nice bathrooms and great staff that always was very friendly and helpful in any way.

It's located about 20 minutes outside the city center, but from the hotel goes every day, seven times/day, a shuttle bus to the Piazza Venezia, free for the hotel's guests. Just make sure to get a seat on it, as the driver won't allow more people onboard then there are seats. And if the buss if full, you'll have to wait for the next one 1,5 hour later...

That's how we discovered that taxi in Rome actually can be both very nice, and quite cheap. About 20 euro one way to the hotel, so if you're more than two persons I would advice you on that transport.

Bad things about the hotel is the prices. I don't really know the price for a room, as we booked ourselves in on a golf packet, but everything from the restaurant (24 euro for a plate of pasta??) to the minibar (4,50 euro for a bottle of water??) is terribly over priced.

Unique Qualities: The golf course is great, 27 holes in total, with 18 of them used for a European tour competition for ladies every year (BWM Open). Enough said, the course has quality!

The staff are great, always friendly, always with a nice "buongiorno" for their guests, and if there were any problems or questions they will help you out in seconds.

Breakfast was included for us, and for me who is used to none, or terrible, breakfasts in Italian hotels this was a miracle. :)

The hotel has one huge restaurant and one smaller bar. There are also two swimming pools, non-heated, so not open until May, and two tennis courts.
The shuttle bus to the city center is very handy, when there is a seat for everyone.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Address: Viale Parco De Medici 167
Directions: Close to the highway. 20-45 minutes (depending on the traffic) from the city center. Less than 20 minutes from the Fiumcini airport.

First time I stayed at Hotel Hollywood was during my first trip to Rome in 2000. After that I've been in the Eternal city for another 15-20 times, and have been staying at the hotel as often as possible.

The hotel is located about 150 meters from the Termini Station, which makes it perfect for any means. Close to the train station, close to the metro, and close to most of the sights if you prefer to go by foot instead. From the Hollywood it takes about 15 minutes to Colosseo and Forum for example.

In the area there are also quite many restaurants and a few pubs as well. Less than 100 meters away there is also the church Santa Maria Maggiore.

The rooms are nice, although nothing special. But they are better than normal for a 2*-hotel. First two nights we spent in a double room where the cover of the bed was in the same style and colour as the walls...
A bit too much maybe if you ask me, but whatever... :)

The last night when we returned we were lucky to get another empty room, which was for four persons. Plenty of space that was!

I think about half of the rooms have bathroom and shower, while the other half has it out in the corridor. Not the biggest bathrooms I've seen, but clean and nice for sure!

The staff are very friendly and speaks good english if your italian isn't what one could call fluent. :) The first thing we got was a guided tour over the map of Rome, so we knew exactly where to go for the next 14 years or so.

No breakfast served, but there are places for that nearby. As you might know the Termini area can be a bit scary at night, but as always it's about being careful and thinking. I've never ever had any problems whatsoever in the area.

For a few years the prices were quite high for a 2*-hotel, but when I was back here in december 2007 they seemed to have lowered again. Paid 58 euro for a double room, which must be said is among the absolute cheapest in Rome.

Unique Qualities: The terrace on the top gives you a nice view of the roof tops around.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: 0039-0644704335
Address: Via Principe Amedeo 79/A, Rome, 00185, Italy
Directions: Exit the Termini station and head straight over the first big street. Then turn left (in front of the McDonalds) and then right at the first possible. Take left again on the third street. 20 meters and you're there.
Website: http://www.hotelhollywoodroma.com/
Other Contact: www.venere.com