Hotel Elide

The main reason to consider Elide Garden Hotel is the price. Rooms under €100 in central Rome, even in peak season, are a rare bargain. It’s a safe area with police nearby, close to transport and taxis, and within a reasonable walk of the Colosseum. The staff were friendly and explained things clearly, and the room was clean, with no major mould. It felt more like a converted apartment than a hotel, though, with no gym, spa, restaurant, or rooftop. The bed and pillows were comfortable, the temperature was fine, and there was air conditioning, Wi-Fi, enough outlets, a spare blanket, and somewhere to hang clothes. The room was small, the desk setup weak, and there were no tissues or room service. No bath, either, and the toilet paper was single-ply. The shower didn’t flood, but hot water was inconsistent and the pressure was weak. There were stains and scuffs, thin walls, and windows that didn’t close properly. Blackout shutters and decent security were a plus. There were no special touches from the staff. Towels were decent and there was a weak hairdryer, but the towel heater was broken. No robes, slippers, minibar, quality toiletries, streaming TV, or concierge, and there wasn’t much of a luxury feel. Tea was available, but not coffee. At least it’s a comfortable, clean place to save money if you’re fine with the basics. I’d call it 3.5 out of 6 Pickles.

We stayed four nights in a quiet room on the top floor. It was simple, but comfortable, and they cleaned it and replaced the towels every day. The reception staff were friendly, so we’d book again. Just note that you can only pay in cash when checking out.

Our flight was cancelled, so we needed a room for one night and walked in. They had one available at a really good price, and it was nicer than we expected for that amount. Although check-in was at 2 PM, they let us in at noon after we’d checked out of our previous hotel, with no extra charge. On our last day in Rome they also stored our bags for free while we explored. The kindest staff I met, with 10/10 customer service.

They say this is a three-star hotel, but that didn’t match my stay. The AC in my room was broken. Reception said it would be cool by the time I returned, but at 11 pm, with Rome at 30 degrees, the room was still hot. They offered a fan, then I found the outlets didn’t work either. I left close to midnight and paid much more for another hotel by the Spanish Steps. The place needs a major renovation. I’d avoid it to save yourself the headache. One star feels too generous.