Hotel Major Aventinus

After three miserable nights, we checked out early and moved to a much better hotel nearby for the same price. It cost us more in the end, but getting out was worth it. We’d booked five nights at this budget hotel as somewhere simple to sleep after sightseeing during a three week summer trip, including two weeks in Rome. My partner and I love Italy and visit often, staying in both high end and budget places. I don’t usually write reviews, but this was so unpleasant that I wanted to warn people. The loud, ineffective fan was the only cooling. During Rome’s summer heatwave, I could barely sleep and woke overheated and exhausted. We tried to be understanding about a budget stay, but the staff were unfriendly and unprofessional. One woman, possibly part of the owner's family, served basic breakfast in pajamas with an unfriendly expression. The mood felt cold and hostile. We were asked to pay city tax in cash without warning. We happened to have cash, otherwise we’d have needed an ATM. Guests also have to leave their key whenever they go out and collect it on return, which felt controlling and uncomfortable. Garbage bins line the entrance, and the toilet paper was the cheapest possible quality, as if costs were being cut at guests’ expense. There are plenty of affordable, charming hotels in Rome. This isn’t one of them. We made a mistake, but you don’t have to. Choose carefully.

The room was extremely basic, with no complimentary water, no luggage storage, no breakfast, and an unkempt garden. For €140, that was very little, especially in such a remote location. I realized I’d come back because of a sentimental memory, and that man brutally and efficiently ruined it. Major Aventinus seems to have lost all its former charm. Two years ago, I left a positive review at their request, and I’ll remove it right away. This recent stay was a very bad experience, even though the place used to be nice. I wasn’t greeted warmly. At the front desk, the person immediately complained that I didn’t have cash for city tax. I understand the policy, but don’t blame me for it. Their email hadn’t said it had to be paid in cash. I tried to cooperate and said I could find an ATM later that evening. When I asked about breakfast, I was told dryly it had been discontinued due to a lack of staff. I understand that too, but the indifferent tone made me uneasy from the start. At checkout, I asked to leave my small carry-on because my train wasn’t until 4 PM. The response was uninterested and not customer friendly. I was surprised there was no luggage storage, as this hadn’t been mentioned and seemed odd for the hotel’s location. Major Aventinus is in a remote area where people come for peace and quiet. It isn’t a tiny hotel without space, and it advertises a 24-hour reception. When I tried to discuss it, a man from the staff stormed into the room, yelled, grabbed my suitcase, and threatened to throw it into the street. That was unacceptable and pathetic, a man in his fifties lashing out at a paying guest, a woman in her early thirties. He’ll probably say I was “shouting,” but I disagree. I raised my voice firmly in response to the indifference and unwillingness to help. The attitude throughout was basically, “figure it out yourself, we don’t care, we’ve charged your credit card, now you’re on your own.” He began by insulting me with, “go ahead and leave a bad review, we don’t care!” That says everything about the miserable, contemptuous atmosphere. Paying customers shouldn’t be treated with so little respect. His ridiculous performance felt like a scene from a bad movie. I am writing a negative review. I work hard for my money, and I’ve never experienced treatment so bizarre and aggressive.

Guests leave their room key at the entrance when they go out and collect it when they return, since someone is always there. That means you can hear some noise in the mornings and evenings, though it wasn’t too bad. The rooms have a classical look and are clean, with more modern bathrooms. Breakfast is available from 7-10 for 7 euros. It’s great, with pastries, bread, croissant-style items, and different hams.

We had a really good time here, and the stay made our trip better. The hosts were friendly and helpful, giving us lots of information about essential places nearby when we arrived and when we left. The rooms were clean and tidied, and breakfast was delicious. We liked the hotel and would recommend it to everyone.