Navona Residenza de Charme

Our room was number 150. The bathroom had a terrible smell that spread into the room, and the rooms themselves were very basic. Staff don’t live on site, and they didn’t clean our room thoroughly. Our stay was nothing like the glowing reviews, and I’d spare yourself the frustration of staying here.

The family who runs this B&B made the stay special. Jean, Edgard, Jose, and their parents were warm, sincere hosts who shared excellent local tips. My room was on my own in a duplex, but had plenty of space and was clean, comfortable, and equipped with a kettle, fridge, hairdryer, and more. Breakfast was one of the best parts of the day: simple and filling, with coffee made to barista standard. We ate on the rooftop terrace, which looks out toward the magnificent dome at Piazza Navona. The central spot also meant I could walk to the major sights and save on transport while enjoying the city along the way. Getting there was easy. I took the 30-minute Leonardo Express from the airport to Roma Termini, its only stop, then Bus 64 to Corso Vittorio Emanuele (Navona). The accommodation was only a couple of minutes away on foot. A comfortable, charming place for a Roman stay, and somewhere I’d gladly return to.

I had my doubts before arriving, but this hotel really came through. It’s about a five-minute walk from the Pantheon, around 15 minutes from Trevi Fountain, and an easy 20-minute stroll to either the Vatican or the Colosseum. What a great place to stay. I’d recommend it.

The owners were incredibly helpful and the service was fantastic. They were often around to offer advice, and we really enjoyed our time in this charming property. The location is hard to beat, close to almost everything, and the coffee at breakfast was very good, though the food options were quite limited. Our room at the front was useful, but could use some refreshing. It also needs more working sockets: we had just one for the fridge or kettle. We were lucky to be on the first floor, since the other rooms can only be reached by stairs, which won’t suit guests with reduced mobility.