Nobildonne Relais

I’m writing this from the lobby on our first morning, and I’d tell anyone planning a Roman holiday to book somewhere else. We reserved a Junior Suite for our honeymoon and confirmed it by email before arriving. Instead, we were shown a small bedroom with no sitting area or second bedroom. Staff called it an upgrade, even though it was smaller, had fewer amenities and a tighter bathroom with no bidet. It felt like the suite we booked had been double-booked, and we were given a lesser room. The sitting room mattered because I have a torn disc and a pinched nerve in my spine. Staying in bed for long stretches causes severe pain. They made no real effort to fix the room problem. We were offered five complimentary nonalcoholic items from the snack bar, but no apology, just repeated insistence that the smaller room was an upgrade. I had been looking forward to this trip for months, and Rome was meant to be the highlight of our honeymoon. The write-ups in Michelin and Condé Nast Traveler had led me to expect a decent stay. Getting into the hotel was another problem. At 8:45 on our first evening, the front door key wouldn’t work. We tried several times, called both numbers posted on the door, and sent WhatsApp messages. It took more than an hour to get any response. By then we had managed to get inside ourselves. Again, nobody apologized. The room was also in poor shape. The conditioner was empty and toiletries hadn’t been replenished. There were large spiders throughout the bathroom. One of the two glasses and one of the two tea cups were dirty. I’m a size 4 and 130 pounds, and still had to squeeze through the narrow bathroom hallway. The bathroom was smaller because we’d been moved to a smaller room. We emailed the general manager and planned to update this review once the issue was resolved. Update: MC has been kind and apologetic. Jabal was hostile and argumentative. When I asked to speak with a manager about getting the room we’d paid for and confirmed by email, he raised his voice and kept saying I was wrong, insisting the smaller room with fewer amenities was an upgrade. He wouldn’t let me speak with a manager. I had to leave the conversation because I’ve never had a man speak to me so disrespectfully. He said that since I’d posted a Google review, the public could decide. Save yourself the headache and stay elsewhere.

Alla, KC, and Daria at the front desk made me feel welcome, were quick to answer messages, and were always smiling. The owner’s personal touches also give the place character: there’s a portrait that’s her own artwork, and the ceiling painting reflects old Italian art. I stayed with my mother during a business trip, and the central location worked well. She could explore while I went to meetings. Inside, it feels like a cozy Italian apartment, with authentic décor and a nostalgic old elevator. The old building has been renovated beautifully with modern technology. You enter through a digital link for the main door and a keypad for the hotel entrance, which felt easy and secure. The bed was comfortable, though the cushions weren’t as soft as I’d have liked. The front desk can help with extra pillows or support. The bathroom has a walk-in shower with a small step, so if you’re with an older traveler, it may be worth asking for a more accessible room. A lovely mix of history, comfort, and modern convenience for either work or leisure in Rome.

We’ll definitely come back. Nobildonne Relais exceeded our expectations, with beautiful rooms, excellent service, and a perfect spot in the heart of Rome. If you want a luxury stay in the city center, this is a great choice.

Jabal, Alla, and KC were wonderful hosts, and the location and service were hard to beat. Staying here was one of the highlights of our amazing Rome trip. I can’t recommend it enough. When we return to Rome, we’ll stay with them again.