Hotel Louisiana

The place is in a pretty good location, and what you get is fine. I hadn't realized it was a hotel spread across different floors of a building, but that was okay. Check-in was confusing: we got there at 16h45, still within check-in time, but nobody was around, just two envelopes with names on them. One looked similar to mine, though it was misspelled, so we guessed it was ours. After calling the hotel three times, someone confirmed the envelope had our key. Everything was fine after that, we were just confused at first.

The staff were really friendly, and the location worked well for us, a little outside the center. It's not a new or fancy hotel, but for the price it was a great option for our city trip.

The room was the dirtiest I've ever seen. I had booked three nights, but left after the first because I couldn't bring myself to touch anything. It was on the fourth floor and the elevator was broken. There was nobody at reception at 8 am, when someone should have been there, and the noise went on until 1 am with nobody around to help. Don't go here.

We're on day 3 of 6 and have had a lovely stay so far. For our sixth anniversary, my partner booked the romantic package: Prosecco, real tealight candles, chocolates and pomegranates to go with the drink, plus fake flower petals arranged in a heart with my initials on the bed. It was a beautiful surprise and worth the extra cost. The reception staff have been helpful every day, offering tips, places to buy bus tickets and advice on my Italian when I ask. Their English is very good. You hand in your key before leaving so they can clean the room while you're out. The continental breakfast is an extra €5 per person per day. We haven't tried it yet, so I can't comment on it. The room is gorgeous and larger than I expected, with lovely decor, a comfortable bed, bedside tables, plugs, a fridge, a safe and a mirrored wardrobe. The bathroom has a marble sink, toilet, bidet, heated radiator for towels and a powerful shower. Turn left for hot water, right for cold, and pull out for more power. Wi-Fi worked well in our room, though they said it isn't great in every room. The reception area has Wi-Fi too. Hotel Louisiana is on the fifth floor, which wasn't obvious at first, but once you know, it's easy. The financial district feels safe to me, even for a solo traveller, and there are restaurants and markets nearby. It's a quieter area, with lovely fountains, the church of bones and famous streets just a 5-10 minute walk away. The bus stop is around the corner, and a tobaccinist sells tickets. You can also buy a huge bottle of still water there for €2. Bus tickets cost €24 for seven days and work on any bus in Rome. We used one to get to Piazza di Venetzia, about a 10-minute walk from the Roman Forum and Colloseum. We came from Ciampino airport on a shuttle to Termini train station, the main station in Rome. It cost €5 per person and took 40 minutes. The walk from there to the hotel took us 20 minutes with a 20kg suitcase each, and would have been quicker without them. It was a lovely route past a Basilica, fountains and old Roman pieces. The hotel has made our trip great, and we're lucky to have two more nights here. I'd happily stay at Hotel Louisiana again for the helpful service, clean comfortable room, great bed and location. The staff also gave us maps and great food tips, including Coso Ristorante for a baked potato filled with Carbonara, and La Romana Gelateria two streets away. It was the best Gelato I've tried, and a four-scoop cone cost €3.20.