Hotel Al Manthia

Elisa at reception made us feel very welcome and was accommodating. The room was fairly spacious and clean, and the hotel is in a fantastic spot, about a 5 minute walk from the Trevi fountain and within walking distance of the Pantheon, Spanish Steps and Barberini metro station. We could hear our neighbors through the very thin walls as if they were in our room. Also, although there was an air conditioning panel in the room, we couldn’t control it ourselves and had to call reception to switch it on or off.

The staff were pleasant and helpful, and breakfast was very good. For the price we got through a travel agent, the location made this a strong option: it’s across the street from the National Gallery, a few minutes from Trevi fountain, and under a 20 minute walk to the Collesum. There are plenty of nearby restaurants and gelato shops, especially the Osteria restaurant. We requested a quiet room and got one on the third floor. We’d booked for four, with two double beds, and were surprised by the layout, which the reviews we’d read hadn’t mentioned. One bed was on the main floor and the other in an upper gallery. That upper space got no sunlight or air from the window and felt much too hot. The room overall was cramped, with hardly any storage. In December the hotel didn’t turn on the air conditioner, so we could only switch off the automatic heater and open the window a little. That let in traffic noise and gas. One wall socket was faulty, there weren’t enough usable sockets, and the bathroom door jammed a couple of times. I’d still recommend it for a short budget stay.

The staff went far beyond what we expected when my mom became very ill during our stay. They made sure she got the medical care and comfort she needed, which meant a lot to us. The hotel is well presented, with freshly renovated, clean rooms and a great location near Trevi Fountain and next door to the Presidents Palace. Highly recommended if you’re looking for that kind of service.

Breakfast was fantastic. The chef worked so hard, making meals from scratch and keeping the tables cleared and set. We had a quiet room that felt more homely than other hotels we’ve stayed in, and there was a lovely surprise on the bed, a swan made with petals. A great experience.