Domus Merulana

The bathroom gave us the most trouble. The shower kept changing temperature and had weak pressure, the light flickered and sometimes left us in the dark briefly, and water from the sink splashed onto the shelf and got our toiletry bags wet. The room itself was comfortable, with two windows for a breeze and a queen bed plus a twin. The beds felt a little stiff, but we slept fine after long days exploring Rome. With the windows open, street noise came in, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. We arrived shortly after 9 and the host answered the buzzer promptly, as arranged. The flat is on the fifth floor, with a tiny elevator that fits three people without luggage. All its doors have to be shut for it to work. Once we had to climb six flights because someone left the fifth floor elevator doors open. There’s a kitchen, but it’s only for storing cold food in the fridge, not for cooking. The bathroom has a sink, shower, regular toilet, and a second squat toilet or bidet. Halfway through our stay the host came in and changed our bath towels, which was a nice surprise. It’s a mix of hotel and hostel, though it doesn’t have the communal feel of a hostel or the polish of a hotel. The Colosseum is a 10-15 minute walk, a little farther than described. Buses and trains are around 7-10 minutes away on foot. We got one daily voucher per person for a cafe about a block away, covering coffee and a croissant. Anything else meant paying the difference. The host has to ask for ID, so expect to show your passport, and there’s also a city tax of about 20 euro per night. We enjoyed our stay and would probably return for an affordable option in such an expensive city.

We felt safe behind the hotel’s two locked doors, and the host was really friendly and helpful. The location made getting around easy. Breakfast coupons were for a nearby coffee bar with amazing coffee, definitely worth a visit. The toilet was the main letdown: it flushed very loudly, and after the door had been shut for a few hours there could be an unpleasant smell. The room we had could use some upgrades, but we had a positive stay and would use the place again.

The room was comfortable, and the kitchen and bathroom were decent. Hot water was a little inconsistent, though maybe the cloudy weather had something to do with it. Staff were friendly, and the small breakfast was a nice way to start the day. The location is great, close to the metro and within walking distance of the Colosseum. The TV only gets Italian channels, but who needs TV in Rome? Get out and see the city :)

The rooms were comfortable and the location was good. But the shared area smelled strongly of cigarettes. We also had to call the property to get inside even though we arrived at the time we’d told them. After 18 hours of travel, we were left waiting out on the street.