Hotel Orazia

I gave it 5 stars mainly for the reception team. We stayed one night, and the room was perfect. The man on duty at night and the woman there in the morning were both very helpful and easy to approach. I went out walking alone at around 6am and felt safe, even though I saw some people sleeping on the pavement. The walk to the bus stop for the Colosseum didn’t feel unsafe either. It’s close to Termini and the centre. I forgot to get their names, but thank you!

We booked two nights, but a cancelled flight meant we stayed only one. We were still charged for both nights, and apparently the reservation would have been cancelled if we hadn’t arrived the day before. Thankfully, Expedia asked them to hold the room. The front desk man was rude and kept texting instead of answering my question about the map. Maybe there are emergencies sometimes, but he clearly didn’t want to be there. The AC also leaked whenever we set it below 24C. It was hot, so we set it to 20 and put a towel underneath. The bathroom needs a full repair. Everything worked, but at over 250 euros a night I wasn’t impressed. The listing also gave the wrong address. Apparently they emailed directions the day before, which isn’t much help when you’ve been flying all day. Our ride dropped us at number 25, while the hotel is at 51, so we had to trek over, tired but otherwise it wasn’t too bad. The location also wasn’t as accessible as advertised. There’s a little restaurant/bakery across the street, but they weren’t friendly. Another nearby place said they didn’t want tourists. The two small markets did sell us drinks and a few basics. There are some good points too. We knew we were renting in an old building, so a bit of loose wallpaper wasn’t enough to lower my review. The hotel is on the 5th floor and has an elevator. The room had AC and two big windows for airflow, and despite its age it was clean with comfortable beds. If you’re up for the trek, you could probably walk to some major sights, but it’s definitely more than the listing’s claimed 5-minute walk. The view from our window was just a white wall.

For a couple of nights, this is worth considering if you want to keep costs down. The staff were polite and helpful, and there are plenty of restaurants nearby. The local train is right by the hotel, the regional train hub is accessible, and the Coliseum and other sights are walkable. The area has a “sketchy” reputation, but I spent 3 nights there without any complaints. Definitely recommended for good value.

We stayed in a family room that sleeps up to 4. It was very clean, with a huge wardrobe for clothes and a handy dresser table. The Rome-themed painting on the wall was a nice touch. The bathroom had a tub with a shower and a partly closed glass door, so the toilet might get wet. Hot water was always available. Body soap and hand soap were provided, as were a face towel, hand towel, and bath sheet for each guest. There was an installed hair dryer, but its electrical connection kept cutting out. The room key card provided solid security. The staff were friendly and approachable. They gave us useful tips, including free experiences with a local tour guide and a delicious restaurant, and politely showed us to a table during the busy breakfast period. The hotel is on the 5th floor, and the elevator only fits 2 people at a time. The stairs are good exercise too. Vittorio Emanuele is the nearest tube stop, and Rome termini station is a 15-minute walk. Italian and Chinese restaurants, a bakery, and a cafe are nearby.