The Shire Hotel

It has only 8 rooms, so the attention feels personal from check-in through check-out, almost like having your own concierge. The rooms are comfortable, clean, tasteful, and have everything you need. I loved the location, which made it feel like the heart of Rome was within reach in every direction. Nearby, you can find fine restaurants, bars, and Gregory's jazz club for the evening. A wonderful boutique hotel for anyone who likes smaller, quaint places. I enjoyed my stay and would recommend it without hesitation.

We arrived on June 21, 2025, for the two nights we’d booked, and the room was already too warm. It was over 90 degrees outside, and we later learned the hotel’s air conditioning wasn’t working. Management did nothing after we contacted them, so we had to leave and find another hotel because the room was too uncomfortable. I’d prepaid through Booking.com and got basically no refund. They offered a voucher for a future stay that would expire in six months, but I said I wanted my money back, and they refused. Terrible management, and a filthy, terrible hotel. Stay far away from The Shire Hotel in Rome.

The location puts you within walking distance of the Spanish Steps, trains, Villa Medici, and more. Breakfast was tasty and filling, and the daily room service was consistently high quality. We loved our stay and will definitely come back to stay here in Rome.

Finding the hotel was a hassle. The sign beside the door is tiny, and you need to buzz in, but the voice on the intercom was hard to understand. A waitress from the restaurant next door had to point out the entrance, and even Uber drivers struggled to find it. We were taken to the Marriott across the street once. The room was unbearably hot. This was the final night of our 12-day trip, and I was relieved we only had to stay one night. I know European air conditioning may not be as strong as in American hotels, but the other three places we stayed in Italy weren’t like this. The power shuts off unless your key is in the wall control, so I couldn’t leave my travel battery and rechargeable fan charging while we were out. I slept worse than any other night of the vacation, woke up soaked in sweat, and even walking around the room made me sweat. I’d never stay again and can’t recommend it in good conscience.