May 30, 2019, 8:55 am
Last edit by: bhrubin
Expert Review (posted to Luxury Forum) from Oct 2017:
https://www.flyertalk.com/hotel-revi...enovation-2197
https://www.flyertalk.com/hotel-revi...enovation-2197
St Regis Grand Rome, Italy [Master Thread]
Feb 22, 2009, 11:19 am
#31
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: Marriott Titanium & Lifetime Platinum, United Platinum, Delta Silver
Posts: 591
I am thinking of staying here with my Mom on a trip this summer. Has anyone asked them to split the king bed into two separate single beds? Did you ask them before you arrived or once you were assigned your room at the property?
Feb 24, 2009, 2:18 pm
#32
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Zurich and Sausalito
Programs: UA 1P, SPG Plat
Posts: 827
I have a similar question...if we are a couple traveling with MIL, is there a Junior Suite/Suite configuration with two beds where we might spend less than two standard rooms? Have not stayed in this hotel, but in our suite at the Westin E&R in Venice, we could have done this.
thnx,
fduvall
thnx,
fduvall
Feb 24, 2009, 2:44 pm
#33
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Coast USA
Programs: UA GS/4 MM, AA Exec Plat, Lifetime Hilton D, Hyatt G, Marriott Titanium earned Ambassador
Posts: 7,553
I decided to go to the audience at like 4 AM that morning. I think we paid like $40 each which was the ride over / back and a guide taking us to the entrance. I would have paid hundreds. Priceless.
May 4, 2009, 3:06 pm
#35
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: FL
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Platinum, Celebrity Elite Plus, SeaDream Yacht Club
Posts: 243
I will be staying at the St. Regis later this month and have an 8:00 AM arrival into FCO. I would like to check into the hotel as early as possible to dump our bags and freshen up for some touring. Does anyone have any insight into the earliest I would likely be able to check in (depending upon availability)? Would it help to contact the hotel in advance? FYI, I am SPG Gold...if it helps.
Many thanks.
Many thanks.
May 5, 2009, 5:48 am
#36
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Charlotte, NC USA
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott Lifetime / Annual Titanium; Massively Missing Starwood
Posts: 5,337
I'd say your odds are not great and not bad on getting a room at 9:30 or so which is when you'd arrive after an 8:00 flight. For what its worth, I've arrived about that time and spent over an hour sitting in traffic in a cab. You might consider taking the train in to Termini and then catch a cab. It will be far cheaper and likely faster.
Early check in will likely lower your chances of an upgrade if that is what you are going for. When we arrive we usually tell them we'd like an upgrade and will wait until 3:00 or so if that gets us one, take our bags to the public restroom, freshen up, leave them and go hit the city.
Good luck.
Early check in will likely lower your chances of an upgrade if that is what you are going for. When we arrive we usually tell them we'd like an upgrade and will wait until 3:00 or so if that gets us one, take our bags to the public restroom, freshen up, leave them and go hit the city.
Good luck.
May 8, 2009, 4:49 pm
#37
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Central CT
Programs: UA MM/1K, SPG Lifetime Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Diamond, HH Gold, Natl Exec Elite
Posts: 1,490
Recent experience, Eden vs St RegisGrand Rome?
I'll be arriving early at FCO next week, have longstanding C&P reservations at the Eden but the St Regis just made C&P available for next week. Would you rather stay at one vs the other (walkaround sightseeing in Rome for 2 days) and does the early morning arrival sway your POV? Traveling w/wife, upgrades are appreciated but location and general hotel ambience are more important.
Thx, ST
Thx, ST
May 9, 2009, 12:48 pm
#38
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: L.A.
Programs: USAIR gold, HH diamond, SPG gold
Posts: 270
I'm trying to decide between the Westin Excelsior & St Regis. Appears that people prefer the location of the Westin but agree that the St Regis is a superior property. The fact that all three SPG properties in central Rome are now cat 6 makes for a greater dilemma. Also, the St Regis has cash and points available for my dates in June now, whereas the Westin does not.
May 9, 2009, 2:05 pm
#39
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Charlotte, NC USA
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott Lifetime / Annual Titanium; Massively Missing Starwood
Posts: 5,337
Not meant to hijack but...if I have the points, does the C&P do anything for me in terms of odds of scoring an upgrade or otherwise? I don't believe they earn points for the C&P stay, so if I've got the points for an all points award seems like I'd be better off using them as opposed to $ & pts?
May 10, 2009, 8:09 am
#40
Join Date: Dec 2008
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 35
I'll be arriving early at FCO next week, have longstanding C&P reservations at the Eden but the St Regis just made C&P available for next week. Would you rather stay at one vs the other (walkaround sightseeing in Rome for 2 days) and does the early morning arrival sway your POV? Traveling w/wife, upgrades are appreciated but location and general hotel ambience are more important.
Thx, ST
Thx, ST
May 10, 2009, 2:56 pm
#41
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Central CT
Programs: UA MM/1K, SPG Lifetime Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Diamond, HH Gold, Natl Exec Elite
Posts: 1,490
Ran out of time to decide, cancelled the Eden because the St. Regis had pre-assigned me to an Imperial room w/Butler service; Eden appeared to have downgraded me to a queen bed smoking (vs my non-smoking reservation).
May 10, 2009, 9:11 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: YWG
Programs: AC Elite, SPG Plat
Posts: 643
St. Regis is the best C&P value I have ever had. Certainly happy I did it.
I'm trying to decide between the Westin Excelsior & St Regis. Appears that people prefer the location of the Westin but agree that the St Regis is a superior property. The fact that all three SPG properties in central Rome are now cat 6 makes for a greater dilemma. Also, the St Regis has cash and points available for my dates in June now, whereas the Westin does not.
May 11, 2009, 5:39 am
#43
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Charlotte, NC USA
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott Lifetime / Annual Titanium; Massively Missing Starwood
Posts: 5,337
Damn. On three stays at the St. Regis all as Plat I've never got the butler room...congrats. I'm jealous!
May 11, 2009, 6:59 am
#44
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 236
Mixed Review
Okay. Here is a v detailed review of our honeymoon stay in the St. Regis Rome early May... Don't judge this post before you finish reading it 
I'm SPG Plat and we arrived on the day after our wedding in Rome. I pre-arranged airport pickup (95 EUR one way in Mercedes E Class - +20% after 9pm) as well as flowers upon arrival. During all these conversations I continously mentioned the fact that we would stay there during our honeymoon (as advised by a very helpful Flyertalk member - Thanks)
Oh. The rate: I booked a Kind Deluxe Non-Smoking room under the C4E promotion (which I found on FT - Thanks once more!) for 218 EUR +10% SVC.
Several days prior checkin I noticed on SPG.com that the room was upgraded to Junior Suite. Imagine my face...
So far so good. Unfortunately we missed our flight to Rome and had to take a later plane (5h later than originally scheduled). We were now scheduled to arrive midnight and I wanted to change the pick-up.
Ring Ring 'Francesco'. 'Aehm. Hello. Is this the St. Regis Rome?'. 'Hello?'. Hang up on the other side. *strange*
Redial this international call
Ring Ring 'Francesco'. 'Hi! I need to change my airport pickup'. 'OK.' Call finished as I would have assumed the first time. Still feel strange that such a high profile hotel does not impose a policy of picking up the phone with the proper greeting 'St. Regis Rome, My name is ... How may I help you?'...
Btw: Pickup worked out fine. However, I think the car service is outsourced. No St. Regis sign or anything. Just my last name in hand writing on a piece of paper. Well. Did not really care. Driver spoke fluent English (was from India) and the car had enough space for our 5 bags.
At the St. Regis (beyond midnight) we were greeted by the Receptionist. He welcomed us by name (as we were the last remaining people to check in). Signature. Credit card for incidentals. All the usual. At the end he mentioned the Junior Suite upgrade. Apparently the room was supposed to be very quite and also one of the most spacious Junior Suits in the property. Oh - Thank you!
Unfortunately - as he would be alone - he could not escort us to the rooms. Well. Okay. I thought this is usually the job of the 24h butler. But never mind. We were very sleepy anyway. He verbally very briefly mentioned the main facilities (bar, vivaldo restaurant and closing times, breakfast) and off we went. No info about the butler service or any PLAT benefits.
The property (all the 'hardware' in there) is jaw dropping as mentioned numerous times in this Forum. I don't spend too much on this. It's just as 'Imperial' as you can imagine.
The room was indeed very spacious and quite when we came in. Bang & Olufsen flat screen, big king size bed, 2 wash basins, walk in shower - all there. Also our flowers were delivered and also a bottle of Prosecco (although the ice melted by the time we arrived). All very very nice!
We tipped the bell boy 5 EUR for our heavy bags and went to bed.
This is where this story turns ugly. I will get into a lot of details but this will explain why I will NEVER come back to this property EVER.
We were waken by the heavy construction outside of our window. We were on the 1st floor with view to the back of the next door building. No sun. No sky. Just a wall and jackhammer noise.
We managed to sleep a bit longer and finally woke up after breakfast time (which is 10:30). So we wanted to order in room breakfast.
We chose Pancakes, Caffee Latte and some fried eggs. When I called the service express the guy excused himself - he would call back soon. 5 mins later someone else indeed called to take our order. (not sure if the first guy did not speak enough english as this is a real issue in this upscale international property once you leave the reception/concierge desk)
I mentioned what I wanted. The staff said: so you want the continental breakfast. I replied No. I repeated what I wanted. He asked if I would want Orange Juice. I replied No. He asked if I wanted a continental breakfast. I repeated my initial reply and order. He finally accepted and the call was over.
Within the 20 mins indicated the breakfast came - joined with 2 staff (I think to move the cart over the uneven ground).
The cart contained: Caffee Latte, Pancakes but also: Orange juice for 2, A big American Coffee, bread, butter, spread as well as scrambled eggs. One guy noticed the egg mistake, excused himself and promised to be back in 10 mins w the right eggs. He took also the invoice which I would have needed to sign but never had the chance.
I mentioned this is was more than what I ordered and he just said: enjoy and went away. 10 Mins later he came literally running, rang the bell and opened the door with his key card (ie without me opening the door!). The right eggs appeared. No signature was required.
We ate.
Since we had strange bills in hotels all over the world before I learned my lesson and asked for an information bill the same afternoon.
It contained a one night room charge (incorrectly - as I prepaid via the C4E rate), a minibar invoice over 7 EUR (turned out this was a 0.2l orange juice which we never consumed) and a continental breakfast for 36 EUR (our order netted 30 EUR). I studied the bill on my way back to the room. Then I called the reception they magically noticed the room charge error already.
I also checked the background of the 7 EUR minibar and they promised to take it off. I also explained the mistake about the breakfast and they resisted to amend. So I asked them to check w room service and to get back to me. Needless to say no one ever called me back (see below for the end of that story).
Then I noticed that the complimentary water in the room was not refilled. (this happened 2 out of 5 mornings)
The hair blower was so old and torn that I would have not expected it in a 2star hotel...
The small towels for the face were not replaced during the entire stay. They just disappeared once being used.
One day a bar of chocolate appeared - but we were not sure if it would be complimentary or not.
The other day a bottle of Chianti appeared - we took/drank it to test if were to be charged (we were not).
When I wanted to do laundry in the hotel I noticed that there were no bag and no list. I called and was handed a new set with what I saw as a negative attitude.
I used the shoe shine - just to find 12 shoe shine packs with my shoes when they returned. (what would you make out of that?)
The last 3 tissues from the Kleenex Box were not replaced but squeezed into the top of the box. When I placed the empty box visibly for refill during turn down service time I later found it on the other side of the room (not at the designated place) with a Kleenex box above it (ie not in the cover). It turned out the new box was too big for the cover?!?
When I asked wheather instant awards would be available in the property (based on another FT thread mentioning that the points for breakfast would be a good deal in some Italian Starwood hotels) it took the reception 15 minutes to find and copy the respective leaflet. It ultimately turned out not to be worthwhile as they charged 3250 (not 100% sure) points for a continental breakfast for one.
Only on two occasions my name was used when talking to me (in 5 days).
Ah - two more (shorter) breakfast events:
The American breakfast (42 EUR) came without the fruit but with additional complimentary water for two. I asked if I needed to sign anything. 'Don't bother about that' was the reply.
The third breakfast came with unordered bread and unordered orange juice. Here I was asked to sign the invoice.
Upon departure we waited 25 minutes for the bell boy to come and pick up our luggage. I literally went down and told them that there was a plane waiting for us...
But wait: I have to finish the breakfast item I mentioned initially!
Upon payment of the final bill I noticed the original minibar charge on Day 2 was not deleted as promised. The breakfast bill was not reduced from 36 to 30 EUR. I eventually insisted on the minibar and just let go the 6 EUR on the breakfast...
Well. To conclude:
The premises is very beautiful and 'imperial'. The 35m USD Starwood spend on the reovation 10 years ago were well invested. We were very happy and grateful for our upgrade to Junior Suite (ignoring the 'view' and the noise). Unfortunately the service is by far the lousiest and least consistent I have ever encountered in an upscale Starwood property.
Since we were quite busy during the stay I did not want to invest our precious time on complaining to GM or Resident Manager sinc such things can fix one or two problems but not such an inconsistent service delivery. Ms. Ham probably did not notice half of the items above... But in the end I was constantly astonished about the attitude around me.
Just a few good things at the end as well:
I should mention that the head concierge Mario Santulli is very commited and very helpful.
The small local cafe across the street is serving great panini if you don't want to go through the trouble with the breakfast. The cafe latte is also superb!
The Trattoria they recommended for a quick lunch (3mins away) was very good (try the Caprese for 12 EUR and the lobster spaghetti for 14 EUR - not sure why price is so imbalanced - we just noticed it at the end).
The Platinum Welcome Gift points were posted on Checkout +1 day (which is best in class according to my experience). The normal points were calculated as per invoice amount.
They forgot to charge me the flowers
Not sure if the above is too detailed for some of you. For those staying in the Eden: I'd love to hear more about your experiences/PLAT treatment as I promised myself never to go back to the St. Regis Grand Hotel Rome...
Kind regards
Ham
I'm SPG Plat and we arrived on the day after our wedding in Rome. I pre-arranged airport pickup (95 EUR one way in Mercedes E Class - +20% after 9pm) as well as flowers upon arrival. During all these conversations I continously mentioned the fact that we would stay there during our honeymoon (as advised by a very helpful Flyertalk member - Thanks)
Oh. The rate: I booked a Kind Deluxe Non-Smoking room under the C4E promotion (which I found on FT - Thanks once more!) for 218 EUR +10% SVC.
Several days prior checkin I noticed on SPG.com that the room was upgraded to Junior Suite. Imagine my face...
So far so good. Unfortunately we missed our flight to Rome and had to take a later plane (5h later than originally scheduled). We were now scheduled to arrive midnight and I wanted to change the pick-up.
Ring Ring 'Francesco'. 'Aehm. Hello. Is this the St. Regis Rome?'. 'Hello?'. Hang up on the other side. *strange*
Redial this international call
Ring Ring 'Francesco'. 'Hi! I need to change my airport pickup'. 'OK.' Call finished as I would have assumed the first time. Still feel strange that such a high profile hotel does not impose a policy of picking up the phone with the proper greeting 'St. Regis Rome, My name is ... How may I help you?'...
Btw: Pickup worked out fine. However, I think the car service is outsourced. No St. Regis sign or anything. Just my last name in hand writing on a piece of paper. Well. Did not really care. Driver spoke fluent English (was from India) and the car had enough space for our 5 bags.
At the St. Regis (beyond midnight) we were greeted by the Receptionist. He welcomed us by name (as we were the last remaining people to check in). Signature. Credit card for incidentals. All the usual. At the end he mentioned the Junior Suite upgrade. Apparently the room was supposed to be very quite and also one of the most spacious Junior Suits in the property. Oh - Thank you!
Unfortunately - as he would be alone - he could not escort us to the rooms. Well. Okay. I thought this is usually the job of the 24h butler. But never mind. We were very sleepy anyway. He verbally very briefly mentioned the main facilities (bar, vivaldo restaurant and closing times, breakfast) and off we went. No info about the butler service or any PLAT benefits.
The property (all the 'hardware' in there) is jaw dropping as mentioned numerous times in this Forum. I don't spend too much on this. It's just as 'Imperial' as you can imagine.
The room was indeed very spacious and quite when we came in. Bang & Olufsen flat screen, big king size bed, 2 wash basins, walk in shower - all there. Also our flowers were delivered and also a bottle of Prosecco (although the ice melted by the time we arrived). All very very nice!
We tipped the bell boy 5 EUR for our heavy bags and went to bed.
This is where this story turns ugly. I will get into a lot of details but this will explain why I will NEVER come back to this property EVER.
We were waken by the heavy construction outside of our window. We were on the 1st floor with view to the back of the next door building. No sun. No sky. Just a wall and jackhammer noise.
We managed to sleep a bit longer and finally woke up after breakfast time (which is 10:30). So we wanted to order in room breakfast.
We chose Pancakes, Caffee Latte and some fried eggs. When I called the service express the guy excused himself - he would call back soon. 5 mins later someone else indeed called to take our order. (not sure if the first guy did not speak enough english as this is a real issue in this upscale international property once you leave the reception/concierge desk)
I mentioned what I wanted. The staff said: so you want the continental breakfast. I replied No. I repeated what I wanted. He asked if I would want Orange Juice. I replied No. He asked if I wanted a continental breakfast. I repeated my initial reply and order. He finally accepted and the call was over.
Within the 20 mins indicated the breakfast came - joined with 2 staff (I think to move the cart over the uneven ground).
The cart contained: Caffee Latte, Pancakes but also: Orange juice for 2, A big American Coffee, bread, butter, spread as well as scrambled eggs. One guy noticed the egg mistake, excused himself and promised to be back in 10 mins w the right eggs. He took also the invoice which I would have needed to sign but never had the chance.
I mentioned this is was more than what I ordered and he just said: enjoy and went away. 10 Mins later he came literally running, rang the bell and opened the door with his key card (ie without me opening the door!). The right eggs appeared. No signature was required.
We ate.
Since we had strange bills in hotels all over the world before I learned my lesson and asked for an information bill the same afternoon.
It contained a one night room charge (incorrectly - as I prepaid via the C4E rate), a minibar invoice over 7 EUR (turned out this was a 0.2l orange juice which we never consumed) and a continental breakfast for 36 EUR (our order netted 30 EUR). I studied the bill on my way back to the room. Then I called the reception they magically noticed the room charge error already.
I also checked the background of the 7 EUR minibar and they promised to take it off. I also explained the mistake about the breakfast and they resisted to amend. So I asked them to check w room service and to get back to me. Needless to say no one ever called me back (see below for the end of that story).
Then I noticed that the complimentary water in the room was not refilled. (this happened 2 out of 5 mornings)
The hair blower was so old and torn that I would have not expected it in a 2star hotel...
The small towels for the face were not replaced during the entire stay. They just disappeared once being used.
One day a bar of chocolate appeared - but we were not sure if it would be complimentary or not.
The other day a bottle of Chianti appeared - we took/drank it to test if were to be charged (we were not).
When I wanted to do laundry in the hotel I noticed that there were no bag and no list. I called and was handed a new set with what I saw as a negative attitude.
I used the shoe shine - just to find 12 shoe shine packs with my shoes when they returned. (what would you make out of that?)
The last 3 tissues from the Kleenex Box were not replaced but squeezed into the top of the box. When I placed the empty box visibly for refill during turn down service time I later found it on the other side of the room (not at the designated place) with a Kleenex box above it (ie not in the cover). It turned out the new box was too big for the cover?!?
When I asked wheather instant awards would be available in the property (based on another FT thread mentioning that the points for breakfast would be a good deal in some Italian Starwood hotels) it took the reception 15 minutes to find and copy the respective leaflet. It ultimately turned out not to be worthwhile as they charged 3250 (not 100% sure) points for a continental breakfast for one.
Only on two occasions my name was used when talking to me (in 5 days).
Ah - two more (shorter) breakfast events:
The American breakfast (42 EUR) came without the fruit but with additional complimentary water for two. I asked if I needed to sign anything. 'Don't bother about that' was the reply.
The third breakfast came with unordered bread and unordered orange juice. Here I was asked to sign the invoice.
Upon departure we waited 25 minutes for the bell boy to come and pick up our luggage. I literally went down and told them that there was a plane waiting for us...
But wait: I have to finish the breakfast item I mentioned initially!
Upon payment of the final bill I noticed the original minibar charge on Day 2 was not deleted as promised. The breakfast bill was not reduced from 36 to 30 EUR. I eventually insisted on the minibar and just let go the 6 EUR on the breakfast...
Well. To conclude:
The premises is very beautiful and 'imperial'. The 35m USD Starwood spend on the reovation 10 years ago were well invested. We were very happy and grateful for our upgrade to Junior Suite (ignoring the 'view' and the noise). Unfortunately the service is by far the lousiest and least consistent I have ever encountered in an upscale Starwood property.
Since we were quite busy during the stay I did not want to invest our precious time on complaining to GM or Resident Manager sinc such things can fix one or two problems but not such an inconsistent service delivery. Ms. Ham probably did not notice half of the items above... But in the end I was constantly astonished about the attitude around me.
Just a few good things at the end as well:
I should mention that the head concierge Mario Santulli is very commited and very helpful.
The small local cafe across the street is serving great panini if you don't want to go through the trouble with the breakfast. The cafe latte is also superb!
The Trattoria they recommended for a quick lunch (3mins away) was very good (try the Caprese for 12 EUR and the lobster spaghetti for 14 EUR - not sure why price is so imbalanced - we just noticed it at the end).
The Platinum Welcome Gift points were posted on Checkout +1 day (which is best in class according to my experience). The normal points were calculated as per invoice amount.
They forgot to charge me the flowers
Not sure if the above is too detailed for some of you. For those staying in the Eden: I'd love to hear more about your experiences/PLAT treatment as I promised myself never to go back to the St. Regis Grand Hotel Rome...
Kind regards
Ham
May 11, 2009, 7:33 am
#45
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: London (UK), Kolkata (India), and a part of the Netherlands you wouldn't like to visit (aka Purmerend)!
Programs: IC Royal Ambassador
Posts: 623
Oh Ham,
I'm so sorry that this happened to you.......what a way to start off your marriage, and what a way for a hotel to taint your honeymoon....
....feeling very guilty indeed!
I hope you let the GM of the property know all these events in due course.....and if you and Mrs Ham are ever in London, drop me a line and I'll take you for dinner!
All the best,
Shant
I'm so sorry that this happened to you.......what a way to start off your marriage, and what a way for a hotel to taint your honeymoon....
....feeling very guilty indeed!
I hope you let the GM of the property know all these events in due course.....and if you and Mrs Ham are ever in London, drop me a line and I'll take you for dinner!
All the best,
Shant