G-Rough, Rome, a Member of Design Hotels

We booked two nights at Pasquino Heritage Suites / G-Rough and received a confirmation, but when we arrived, we were told there was a booking system problem and they only had availability for one night. The next day, we were effectively made to leave and find somewhere else. We tried to reason with the person at reception, especially since the guests meant to take our room hadn’t arrived yet and we had booked first. He just kept smiling and saying there was nothing they could do. I wouldn’t recommend the place because you can’t be sure you’ll actually get to stay there.

We loved all four nights at G-Rough. The rooms have a distinctive boutique look, lots of character, and a real Roman feel. The hotel is in the heart of Rome, a short walk from major attractions, great restaurants, and shops. Breakfast was fresh and tasty, served in a relaxed, stylish setting. The staff were kind and helpful throughout, and Stefano, the manager, deserves a special thank-you for his warm welcome, attentiveness, and professionalism. I’d definitely return and recommend it to anyone after a stylish, authentic Roman stay with a personal touch.

The location made sightseeing easy, with great restaurants and sites in every direction. I enjoyed our stay, but I wish breakfast had an opt-out, or that they simply put out a continental spread. This Marriott property felt much more like a bed and breakfast than a standard hotel. Our floor was two suites joined as a full-floor, two-bedroom setup. That wasn’t clear in the description, but it worked well for us and our young kids because we had completely separate spaces. The antique decor is beautiful and very Instagram-ready, though not always sturdy or user-friendly. You have to move the pieces to reach the outlets, and they didn’t work well with converters, which felt like a renovation miss. The shower has windows facing the room hallway and shared stairwell, so you have to be comfortable with that. The front room was very noisy. Its original windows let in the square’s performers and bar-goers until midnight, then the cleanup crews started very early. The kids slept in the back, separated by a very long, narrow hallway. We paid significantly more by booking through Marriott. You can book directly with them at a discount, but we weren’t sure we’d earn points that way. Breakfast was included, so we had it most days on principle, though the setup was odd. The night before, you had to choose a 15-minute time window, the location (room, front bar, or back room), and what you wanted. The basic included items, like fruit and bread, needed no preparation, so the advance order seemed unnecessary. Hot dishes cost extra, and having breakfast in the room cost an additional 30% of the bill. We ordered it in the room once before an early departure, but it arrived after our requested time. Most days we also didn’t get double portions of the items we’d asked for, though we only realized that on the last day, when we got double and assumed the usual single portion might just have been larger. The bar and dining area looked pretty, but the old, fragile furnishings made them impractical for eating.

We just stopped in for a drink with my girlfriend, and Stefano and Stefano were great hosts. I think that was their names, and sorry if I’ve misspelled them. They were candid and cool, just the kind of people you’d want at a boutique place like this. They gave us lots of great tips on places to eat and drink in Rome, and how to avoid the crowds. We’ll definitely come back for a drink, if not to stay.