Hotel Giolitti Smart

For the €200 we paid for two nights, I’d call it a cheap but honest hotel and about a three-star experience. It’s a 10-minute walk from the Termini train station, and staff are there 24/7, so getting back late wasn’t a worry. Check-in is at 2 p.m., though, so if you arrive early you have to wait or go out. The sheets seemed clean, but they weren’t changed each day, just put back in their original place. The floor was full of hair and dust. The bathroom was fine apart from a very small shower that barely fits one person. The staff were okay as long as you speak Italian. There was no water in the fridge, and I went looking for some at 3 a.m. but couldn’t find any. There’s also a €6-per-night tourist tax that wasn’t mentioned in the Agoda booking or any other app.

Nothing special, though it wasn’t terrible. It’s an average budget hotel in a cheap part of town, and it’s okay for getting to some parts of tome, but probably not the best choice. Rooms are small and need refurbishment. The tram outside rattles the room’s table when it starts in the early morning, and keeps going until late at night. The walls are paper thin, and younger guests seemed to make a lot of noise late into the night. Breakfast costs an extra €12 per person per day, which is expensive for a basic continental spread. You’re probably better off going around the corner to one of the many cafes for coffee and a croissant for about €5.

I booked the old section through agoda, which used to be called pullman. I got room 101 on the first floor, and it was bigger than I expected. It also had a balcony. The room had what I needed: hair dryer, soap, towels, safe, refrigerator, clothes hangers, hot water in the bathroom, and, most importantly for summer, a nice cool air conditioner. The staff were very nice and gave good service. They can hold your luggage after checkout, and check-in is available 24 hours. Breakfast is a buffet and costs 10€ per person, not included. There’s also a city tax, which I think is the same everywhere, 6€/night. Perfect, recommended for budget travel 👌 👍

The room was clean, and the staff were helpful. It’s close to Roma Termini, with metros and main buses within walking distance. Highly recommend.