Anakin Stargate Hotel

We stayed for five nights and had a great room with a fridge, private bathroom and free breakfast each morning, since we were there for more than four nights. The hostel is less than five minutes from the metro and train station, and there's an excellent kebab place right across the street. The staff were very friendly and could help us get around the city, though it was sometimes awkward at reception because their English wasn't very good.

The only real plus was being within walking distance of Termini station. The prices were far too high for what you got, and this was the shabbiest, most uncomfortable place I've ever slept. The lift looked like something for hauling coal out of a mine, barely fit two people and two bags, and the shaft was open with cigarettes in it. The rooms were an okay size, but that's about it. The bathrooms were tiny and badly laid out, with the sink in the way when you tried to sit on the toilet. They were covered in mold, including the ceiling, which was black. The flush barely worked, the shower stall was broken, and there wasn't even a lock on the bathroom door. The bunk beds felt rickety and had no rail to stop you falling out. The sheets were faded and stained, with hair on them. Everything smelled and looked like it hadn't been cleaned in ages. The furniture was falling apart, and when we mentioned it, the staff blamed us. The staff were annoyed and unhelpful, and their English was barely understandable. Breakfast was just sweets from the bakery next door, plus machine coffee and juice, served on plastic plates with plastic cutlery. One of my colleagues had money, a driving licence and other cards stolen from his purse in his room while he was out. The staff didn't seem to care and, as far as we could understand, blamed him for being careless. Save your money and sleep on the street, or pay a bit more for a real hotel.

The staff were friendly and very helpful during the two days I stayed. My room was clean and basic, but the double bed was two singles pushed together. There were no drinks in the room, and cappuccino was the only option at reception, the bar or restaurant. I paid for breakfast, but it was all sugary, sweet food, which really wasn't for me.

The place was ugly and everything seemed damaged, including the shower. I didn't want to touch anything in the room. It definitely didn't feel like a three-star hotel. It was so noisy that sleeping was hard, and the double bed was only 1.20 meters wide, just 60 cm per person. They moved me to another room the next day. That one was okay, but there was no hot water in the morning. The night manager doesn't speak English.