Jo&Joe Roma Hotel

For a first stay in a hostel, this was a great experience, and I'd happily recommend it. The staff were friendly, approachable, and genuinely helpful the whole time. The room was as clean as you'd reasonably expect in a shared dorm. There was only one toilet, so mornings could mean a long wait if someone took their time getting ready. Having two showers helped. The mattress was on the firm side, but that's normal for a hostel and wasn't a real complaint. I was surprised by how well noise was handled. Music played in the courtyard, but people in the rooms were considerate and it stayed quiet at night.

The room was pleasant, and we also liked the communal spaces, including the bar. The staff were all lovely and accommodating, which made the stay special for my eight-year-old daughter and me. We both enjoyed our stay and were glad the place worked for my daughter. The main issues for us were the really loud courtyard music, which went on until very late, and a smelly drain in the shower.

First thing, this is a hostel, not a hotel. The reception staff were nice, but because we were "Americano" they made no effort at all to understand us, like we were expected to learn Italian before traveling. They also wanted to charge a "luggage storage fee" while we waited in the courtyard for check-in before the early check-in time. The twin room was bare minimum: beds and a box/closet, with no chairs or anything else. At least it was clean. There was no fridge or TV either. The showers were small and the hot water kept switching between hot and cold. We found out they control the room temperature and couldn't get it below 23 Celsius. Opening a window was fine, except guests next to us were constantly smoking and the smoke drifted into our room. We were on the third floor and weren't risking the $100 fine. Breakfast was meh. It ran in 30-minute time slots. They said they'd make more bacon aka salami, but never did. The courtyard was nice, but there were public events every night, so paying guests couldn't really enjoy it. I don't want to join board game night. It was very loud, though it stopped at midnight. They say outside food and drinks aren't allowed, but I heard the front desk recommend a market across the street. Why suggest it if it's not allowed? Maybe it's just not allowed for "Americanos". I heard that term way too much here. The best thing was the early check-in option for 10 euros. From the reviews, the owner or whoever's in charge seems very aggressive. Rome was meh, a tourist trap. I didn't find this place comforting at all. There's also a club attached. Maybe it's good for one person, but it wasn't relaxing for us. Security even stopped me when I tried to take a bottle of wine up to my room. Lesson learned, don't stay at a hostel.

The social side of JO&JOE Rome really made the stay for me. Between the bar, restaurant, and shared areas, there was always a lively feel, and it was easy to imagine meeting other travelers there. You can also walk to many of Rome’s main sights. The building is an old monastery, so it has high ceilings and original details, mixed with colorful murals, modern furniture, and inviting places to sit. The dorm and private rooms are thoughtfully set up: beds have curtains or screens, their own lights and outlets, plus lockers. I found everything clean, comfortable, and well organized, and the common areas have plenty of space. Shared rooms can be a bit busy or noisy, but the atmosphere, design, and comfort made up for that. It’s a memorable Rome hostel if you want history alongside a sociable, modern space.