Al Colonnato di San Pietro

We left at 1:00 AM and had to find another hotel because we felt unsafe. After a “system error” cancellation at 11:00 PM, the host said we could stay only if we paid for the entire stay in cash. When we asked to pay by card and get a proper receipt, they told us to find a nearby ATM. Being directed to withdraw cash in that situation left us feeling vulnerable. Earlier, we arrived at 12:30 PM and found nobody at the property. We called and messaged several times through Booking.com without an answer. We came back for the official 3:00 PM check-in and were told to wait again, then were ignored for hours. The host scolded us for arriving early without notice, although we had tried repeatedly to contact them. They also insisted that we communicate only through WhatsApp and scolded us for using Booking.com’s secure messaging. They said a private website required WhatsApp, but we hadn’t used that site; we booked through a professional platform for the security it offers. The host often responds to negative reviews by calling guests “liars” or “deceivers.” There’s no need to do that here. We have WhatsApp messages showing the scolding and cash demand, as well as call logs showing our unanswered attempts to check in. Travelers should be aware that this host pushes WhatsApp communication and, in our experience, demanded cash when we were vulnerable. For your safety, peace of mind, and financial protection, I’d book somewhere else.

I wish I’d booked more than four days. The location is quiet, cozy, and intimate, right by St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Our room was large and clean. The walls are a little thin and the windows don’t block all the sound, but it was still very quiet at night. Maybe that’s just Italy. The hosts were kind and attentive. Breakfast was a bit light for me, with chocolate croissants, cappuccino, and fruit yogurt, but after lots of sightseeing on foot, it was all I needed. Water and juice were available in the fridge. Ti ringraziamo dall'anima che ci hai ricevuto così belli e speriamo di tornare l'anno prossimo!

I have no words for this.

The room fell short of basic expectations. The mattresses were uncomfortable, and supplies were lacking: we got one roll of toilet paper and half-used shampoo bottles, probably left by previous guests. Communication was difficult too. There’s no on-site management, and everything was handled through WhatsApp, often with delays. Our calls went unanswered and we were stuck outside for hours, nearly missing tours we’d booked in advance. When we finally reached the host, we were blamed for the delay instead of getting an apology. After a platform error, the host insisted that we pay the full balance in cash outside the platform. They wouldn’t budge even though we were concerned about the security risks and high bank fees for a large ATM withdrawal. That doesn’t feel like professional hospitality. The host may describe these service problems as “kindness” in defensive replies to negative reviews, but that doesn’t make them acceptable. Professionalism means honoring agreements and providing a clean, safe place. Scolding guests over communication failures and demanding cash when they’re in a vulnerable position is unacceptable. For financial security and peace of mind, I’d choose a more established place in Rome.