Hotel Royal Bissolati

This whole experience made my Italy trip feel not worth it. I hate leaving a review like this, but the hotel needs to know and hopefully improve. We paid for three nights and were first told our room wasn’t available because they’d given it to a businessman for the night. They sent us to another hotel down the street and said to come back the next day. I asked for a refund, and only then did they manage to accommodate our booking. The bed was awful: two single beds pushed together with a big gap, and one mattress sat higher than the other. The bathroom had no door, just a curtain, and the shower and wash basin weren’t clean. For what we paid for those three nights, I expected a lot better.

The staff didn’t meet what I’d expect from a 4-star hotel. They repeatedly refused to give me a second key, dismissively saying they had no key cards left, and didn’t respond when I raised the cleanliness issue. It felt like an “all show, no substance hotel.” I found a used slipper and dirty tissue under the bed, the shower drain was blocked with hair, and the shampoo and cream bottles were half empty. The room was worn down and needed maintenance. My king-size bed was made from two old mattresses with a gap between them, and the shower wall was mouldy and falling apart. The sink had rust and obvious scratches. At least in room 111, the windows are single-glazed. You can hear all the noise from the busy roads, including the classic Roman van collecting glass.

The front desk team were excellent, quick to respond and always ready to help. The hotel was clean and beautiful, and its location is strategic.

We had a pleasant three-night stay. The hotel is easy to get to, well maintained, and in a great location. Breakfast was great, and buffet manager Judit was especially helpful in explaining what we needed to know about staying in Rome. There’s a Vespa scooter rental service nearby. We used one to explore the city, and it’s definitely a great way to experience Rome.