Hotel Mentana - by R Collection Hotels

Hotel Mentana’s central location is its strongest point, with most major tourist sights nearby. That likely explains the price better than the quality does. We stayed three nights, and the first was particularly uncomfortable because the bed was hard and the pillows extremely thin, making it difficult to sleep properly. Our room was small and narrow, though oddly tall, as if height had mattered more than usable space. Cleanliness was acceptable but not thorough: after we pushed the beds together on arrival, we found false eyelashes under the bed, presumably left by previous guests. The bathroom was cramped, especially the shower, with little room to move. It did have a good supply of personal care amenities, which was a nice plus. There was no hot water at all on our last night, so we couldn’t shower. Breakfast was included and enough to keep us from going hungry, but the selection was limited and the coffee was very poor. At checkout we paid €28 in city tax, reduced from €48 because of the hot water problem. Even with that reduction, paying a tourism tax felt frustrating given the inconvenience and the already high cost. This is a decent hotel for the location, but it doesn’t meet four-star standards or justify its prices. Keep expectations in check.

The location, very close to the Duomo, is the main reason I might return. The rooms were clean, but basic things were missing: there was no in-room iron, and the one I had to request from reception was very old and leaked water. Drinking water should be provided as standard. The female reception staff kindly gave me water, while the male staff asked me to pay. The breakfast didn’t offer much variety and could be improved. I found the female staff kind and helpful, but the male staff often seemed rude and unprofessional. I’d come back for the location alone, not the service or amenities.

There was no hot water around 11 p.m., even though it was about 2°C outside. That’s unacceptable, and I can’t recommend this place. The AC in my room was noisy too, and I had to ask staff for the WiFi password instead of having it readily available.

The staff were all really friendly and helpful, and I liked the room and breakfast. There were lots of breakfast options to choose from. A great experience.