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Rome is absolutely worth seeing, but I wouldn’t make Hotel Georgiana your first choice. I’m giving it one star only because the rating system won’t let me give zero. The way the hotel responded to my family’s criticism on TripAdvisor and Google was upsetting; it seemed to argue with our experience rather than accept it. We read the positive reviews before booking, and now I wonder whether some might be from owners’ relatives or friends. After seeing the replies to my family, I expect I may get a nasty response to this too. There were some real positives: the location was great, taxi service to excursions and to and from the airport was fabulous, and the man working from 3 to 11 p.m. was very nice. But the rooms were gross. I found loose peanuts in a drawer, as if a previous guest had left a snack behind, which made me question the cleanliness. I was glad I’d brought alcohol wipes to clean the areas we’d touch. The carpet was disgusting, so I wouldn’t walk on it barefoot or even in socks. The walls were banged up and needed paint, and the hotel felt very outdated and in need of renovation. I also didn’t like having to hand in my key each time I left. The breakfast area was scary, so my dad and I left and went around the corner to a lovely Italian pastry and cappuccino place run by Sarah and her father. The photos on Google mostly don’t match what we saw. I didn’t take any, but my mother did and posted them on TripAdvisor, so you can look there. My parents were told when booking that there were two balconies and that they were taken. There are no balconies at all.

We could walk from this little boutique hotel to the Spanish Steps, the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, good restaurants, and even the Vatican, though that was a bit of a trek. The location is a big part of the appeal, especially at this very good price. Our room was small, but clean and well kept, and daily maid service was included. The staff were extremely friendly, and breakfast was a real treat. It isn’t a super fancy place, but if that’s not what you’re after, it’s a great option.

The taxi the hotel called for our airport trip arrived promptly, and the driver made the ride comfortable. We also got restaurant suggestions nearby and enjoyed both places we tried. We went to ‘La Botte Antica’ three times; I still remember how kind and smiley everyone there was. Most of Rome’s major sights were walkable, and I got to see the Spanish Steps to my heart’s content. We spent seven nights in February as a family, in a Deluxe Double Room with a balcony. My son had recently read some negative Google Maps reviews and urged me to write about our own stay. He’d had such a lovely time in Rome, and this hotel was a big part of those memories. I know every room and visit can be different, and staff friendliness can vary, so I respect the reviews people leave as sincere accounts of their own experiences. For our eight days and seven nights, though, it was a fantastic stay. The balcony was my son’s favorite part. Each morning he went out to listen to the birds, watching the sky change from dark to blue, and in the evening he loved the red sunsets. The room’s white decor and high ceilings made it feel larger than it was. I was surprised by how heavy the outer door was, then found a lighter one inside. I assumed the heavy door was for soundproofing, and the hotel was quieter than the places we stayed in Paris and London. The bathroom was better than we expected, too. The washbasin’s smooth curves seemed to show how carefully the hotel had been remodeled. Breakfast wasn’t anything extraordinary, but it was enough. Every morning I had cappuccino, bread, cheese, and ham, and the serving staff always greeted us with a smile. The staff also called us a taxi when we left for the airport. What stayed with me from Italy was how kind people were. It was a happy trip.

Stefano at the front desk was especially friendly and helpful. I needed a doctor, and instead of sending me to an expensive tourist doctor, he pointed me to a medical centre about a 15-minute walk away. I went there twice and it was completely free. Well done, Stefano, great guy. We stayed three nights. The room was comfortable and clean, though it had no tea-making facilities. The hotel is within walking distance of the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. We also walked back from both the Vatican and the Colosseum, about 45 minutes each way through lovely sights and shops.