Hotel Ventura Rome

For our three nights, this place did the job, since we were out all day and only came back to sleep and freshen up. Looking back, I might have chosen somewhere else. There were good points: the location, nearby transport, and plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafes. Staff were friendly, reception was open 24 hours, coming and going was easy, and there was space to store luggage. Rooms had AC and standard toiletries. But housekeeping could be better. They didn't replace our towels, so I had to ask for new ones on day two. The fridge didn't work, and when we reported it the hotel said nothing could be done. The shower head sprayed in an odd pattern, and the corridor was sometimes very noisy. It has its good and bad sides.

The staff were very friendly, and the taxi we'd requested was waiting for us at 3:30 in the morning when we left. But the stay was a letdown. The first room hadn't been cleaned after the previous guests, and the replacement had a bad drainage smell, a dirty bedspread, and a toilet that was hard to flush. The heater also didn't work. The area is very close to the railway and bus station, though it may not be among the nicest or safest places to take children.

Every night we stayed, we were woken around 2 or 3 a.m. by people shouting and arguing in the hallways. The room photos don't reflect what we got: our room was tiny and very basic, and the so-called double bed was two camping beds pushed together. I wouldn't call this a hotel, more like a hostel at best. We're completely dissatisfied, and it ruined our experience of Rome. I'd urge people not to book Hotel Philia.

The staff were mostly friendly, but the hotel chef was very unfriendly. The rooms were okay, though the bathrooms had quite a few problems, including the shower. Breakfast wasn't good apart from the coffee. It's in a very old building, and the lobby and floors were dirty. The location is close to Termini, but the surrounding streets are a mess. I can't recommend it.