Didn’t see any posts or a thread on this hotel, but suspect it’ll need one. I was encouraged by a fellow FTer to post something public after answering questions by PM. So, here are my thoughts. Apologies for not doing a proper review or writeup, but hope this helps. I imagine this hotel is going to get very expensive and popular very quickly, especially as it shows up in Hilton searches. Questions, please PM. Errors, please let me know, I am doing this from memory.

Short version: Great location. Gorgeous room and hotel. Great service. Excellent stay, will definitely try to go back when next in Rome.

Check In

ˇ 4 night stay, 2 certificates from Hilton AmEx, 2 nights points. We were given a nice room on 2nd floor, facing the courtyard. Asked about upgrade and they said sold out, but if we were willing to move they might have something on night 2 or 3; we opted to stay put and don’t regret it. If an upgrade faced the street I’d probably not be thrilled with street noise anyway.

ˇ Thanked for being Diamond and part of Hilton-world. Chocolates in room as a Diamond welcome.

ˇ Staff said the place was only open like six months before we arrived.

ˇ A single desk in the lobby with 1-2 people max staffing it and a guy at the door who doubles as a porter and security. (The porter was not great on directions to anywhere, so just use google maps or ask the desk clerk.)



Staff

ˇ Service was very friendly and nice, but kind of low key. We liked it.

ˇ Very high end service, but sophisticated. The uniforms were very retro and cool.

ˇ Never said no if they could help it.



Location

ˇ Historic city center, near basically everything. We could walk to the best shopping, any tourist spot (around the corner from the Trevi fountain)

ˇ Easy bus stops nearby that we used to get around all over Rome without having to transfer lines but get to every museum or neighborhood we wanted... very central. We were a little surprised by how useful the location was for us.

ˇ Metro station nearby, but we didn’t use it this trip

ˇ Crowds, yes, because of where it is. But once you enter the hotel it is all gone.

ˇ Built around a courtyard which turns into restaurant and cocktail space I think, but we were there in winter rain so it was not open.



Physical

ˇ The building is gorgeous. Most most recently was a school and kind of looks like that once you know. Before that it was palatial housing for Rome VIP types I imagine.

ˇ I can see each of the rooms being a small classroom, and space for teacher's offices, etc. There is a very cool central hall for assemblies on the second floor and there are big suites off that hall. You'll get it once you see it. The floors are worn and I could picture generations of kids walking the stones.

ˇ Elevators are attached to the outside of the building so did not screw up the interior.

ˇ Very well designed and stylish, dare I say hip even if you check out the bar area.



Room

ˇ Gorgeous. Chic, contemporary furniture, comfortable colors, functional furniture. Lots of closet space and storage.

ˇ Bathroom had a huge walk in shower with a rain shower that I would have lived under if possible. Well stocked with toiletries. Towel warmer on wall. Our fan didn’t work, so after showering we just opened the window for a few minutes and all good, we didn’t bother to tell them until we were checking out.

ˇ Minibar stocked with snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. Coffee station. Teas. The whole minibar was included and restocked at no cost. It was unexpected and kind of hard for us, we kept hesitating lest we eat $20 Euro peanuts, but we loved just being able to be comfortable.

ˇ Turn down service includes rotating chocolates each night (so not the same ones twice) and fresh towels.



Food and Drink

ˇ The cocktail bar is stunning. As big as the restaurant, I think, with two areas.

ˇ If the weather is good, the courtyard looked lovely but we ate indoors for breakfast and for our one dinner. With good weather, the courtyard gets used for drinks and dinner, so that could mean noise into the evening, not sure as it didn’t happen when we were there.

ˇ The inside restaurant is small but was never crowded at breakfast, at dinner got quite full with non-guests and mainly Italians (always a good sign).

ˇ We noticed stylish Italian young couples trying to get into our bar but being turned away due to space.The bar was a scene and got crowded with locals. We found the prices high and service a bit slow, so we went elsewhere for drinks after the first night.

ˇ The restaurant was very good -- dinner excellent and they gave us a card for a free bottle of wine at check in (maybe because we are Diamond?). I’d say the food was French meets southern Italy.

ˇ Bar not our scene and I thought over priced and slow, feels like a hipster spot in Rome now maybe, so we had drinks once and then went elsewhere for cocktails.

ˇ I’m vegetarian and ate well, wife eats anything and she ate well.



Breakfast

ˇ I posted the menu in the Diamond/Gold Hilton thread here

ˇ Food excellent. Buffet with some cold cuts and cheese, fruit, fresh juices.

ˇ But then a menu from which you can order as many items as you like (human size portions, so you might do two, or just ask for whatever you want and a side of potatoes etc and they will just make it happen). I started with one item, then added another if I wanted a bit more.

ˇ When we were there they asked room number but ever even hinted at a check or anything for anyone we saw. I guess it is possible everyone was Gold/Diamond, but there were a couple of annoying/rude'ish guests who seemed genuinely clued out about how to behave so I am guessing they weren't frequent travelers. A lot of places in Italy include breakfast maybe? No prices on the menu.



Facilities

ˇ Basement pool is small but actually nice just to soak a bit (they say thermal Roman temperature, it felt a little like warm to me vs hot) and the steam room and sauna (and a crazy ice shower thing which I didn't brave).

ˇ Small gym with nice equipment. Feels like just enough to get a workout in, but not large. Given 26 rooms or so, not surprised. Excellent facilities for shower, etc. and massage rooms.

ˇ Pro tip: they will send robes and slippers up to you room to wear to the pool space which also means you walk through the lobby in a robe and slippers, you an also wear the robe in your room. There are towels easily available and some lounge chairs.

ˇ Pro tip: The hotel prides itself on being eco, so no plastic, including they couldn’t find a plastic bag for our wet swim suits. We finally suggested using a bag from room trash bin liners, but the maid storage was locked up. I eventually remembered that I carry an emergency plastic bag in my suitcase and was able to use that!

ˇ It is a very cool space, matching the décor of the bar and lobby, all indoor.