Tmark Hotel Vaticano

The superior twin room was really spacious, and the location was fantastic. The staff were very helpful. On Sunday, though, we were disappointed that we couldn't get a cup of tea in the lounge around 2:30 pm to cool down. I'd definitely stay again when visiting Rome.

The breakfast and seating area were much appreciated, and the hotel staff were super kind and helpful. We couldn't work out how to turn on the air conditioning, which was our only issue. I'd come back to Tmark!

The bed was comfortable, but the pillows were flat, and the room really needs updating. The shower had great pressure and plenty of warmth, though the tiles and grout need redoing. Being opposite the Vatican is handy, but the busy road brings a lot of traffic noise into the room. Worst of all, the air conditioning and heating rattled constantly. Even after we tried turning it off, it would switch itself back on somehow, which badly disturbed our sleep.

The staff really made this stay. Olga handled our correspondence, shared tips for local restaurants and sights, and arranged a car or van to the airport. Marcello helped when I lost my passport on a tour, explaining how to get a temporary one through the US embassy. He also pointed me to a phone store when my phone and camera were draining power from all the photos and videos. At the sites, people sell battery packs, but I wouldn't trust them. Caveat emptor! We stayed in a suite with a separate bedroom and den, plus a balcony overlooking the Vatican. Get one of these rooms if you can. The bed was very comfortable and there was lots of light. The marble floor felt cool underfoot, and the den had a couch, coffee table, and hutch with a large computer monitor or TV. The bathroom is compact with little space for toiletries, but there's a closet with plenty of shelves across from it. The hot water issue mentioned in some reviews has been fixed. The long, narrow, deep tub has an overhead rain shower, a handheld wand, and only a half door, so water gets onto the floor. Take care with the sink too, it's a deep bowl and water can spill over the sides. The water pressure is good. TV channels are limited since it's really a large computer monitor, but you didn't come to Rome to watch TV. Bring an HDMI cord for a phone or laptop if you need it. WiFi is free and fast. The hotel is directly across from the Vatican Museum entrance. If you're taking a cab, tell the driver the Vatican Museum, not the hotel. There were crowds waiting to enter by 8 am, but with the door shut we couldn't hear them, apart from the occasional ambulance. St. Peters Square and Basilica are a 15-20 minute walk. Keep the Vatican wall on your right and you'll get there. Other sights are walkable too, though cabs are plentiful and reasonably priced, with a stand in front of the museum. For a typical Roman neighborhood, walk down the stairs next door. The main downside is the street: the sidewalks are narrow, with lots of museum visitors and tour groups passing by. Breakfast is served every day, with American options like scrambled eggs, bacon, and potatoes, as well as continental choices including salami, ham, tomato and cheese, and fresh fruit. There's bread, cereal, juice, milk, and the ever-present coffee machine too. Some people may say Tmark doesn't merit five stars. It's not an American-style hotel, but it is an excellent Roman or Italian hotel.