Villa Rosa Hotel

The staff were extremely kind when we ran into a problem with our car. They helped us sort it out and even let us wait in the lounge until everything was resolved. The train station is also just a five-minute walk away, with a 15-20 minute ride into central Rome. Our rooms were comfortable and spacious, and the breakfast we booked was a real plus, with lots of options. The hotel and rooms are a bit dated, but had everything we needed. We were delighted with the stay and will definitely be back.

The front desk guy tried hard to help us and make things right. The hotel is near the train and bus stations and some great restaurants. There’s an elevator, though it’s very small and extremely sensitive to weight and movement. The breakfast food was okay, but see below. The AC worked in some rooms. We’re not wealthy or particularly picky, but this was well below what we expected. The street felt sketchy, with graffiti everywhere. The lobby looked okay but worn and not well cared for. Upstairs, things were rough: bubbling or water-damaged flooring, peeling paint and plaster, damaged walls, stained toilets and bathrooms, and filthy, stained hallways. Everything looked old and worn, and the place felt scummy and dirty to us. Our first assigned room smelled musty and the AC didn’t work. The second stayed at 26°C, or 78°F, which was too warm for us. The third got a little cooler but never below 24°C. Two other family members’ rooms had AC that worked well. The shower’s safety cord was missing, there was no coffee in the rooms, and the shower door opening was so small that a large person wouldn’t fit. The complimentary breakfast was mostly cold cuts like salami, ham, and cheese, plus croissants, donuts, and other desserts. There were no eggs or bacon, and only a couple of fruit choices. As Americans, we didn’t consider that breakfast. The hot water heater also went out, so my husband had to take a cold shower. The rooms looked nothing like the photos. We paid under $100 a night, and I know you get what you pay for, but we’d read and researched a lot and never expected it to be this bad. We were so disappointed on arrival that we wanted to leave right away for a better hotel, but our booking was nonrefundable, so we were stuck. We won’t compromise on price like that again. Spend a little more and be comfortable on a long stay. There was no airport shuttle and no restaurant, despite what Priceline says. There was only breakfast, which was another reason we booked here. You can get a drink at the bar, but the selection is limited.

The economy room was affordable, but even for one night it felt extremely cramped. The bathroom was tighter still, and if you’re over 180 cm tall, there’s so little legroom that using the toilet can be a challenge. There was no proper bathroom lighting either. A small light above the mirror had been installed, but it didn’t work, so the room was quite dark. We knew this was the cheapest option, but we’ve stayed in better, more comfortable Rome rooms for less. It might do for a quick overnight stop, but we wouldn’t pick it again.

There were bedbugs crawling on the beds and walls in our room. We saw them at different life stages, from eggs and babies to large adults, and we’re covered in bites. It seems clear they’d been there for some time, and the dirty rooms and other comments about them support that. Management showed no professionalism or accountability. They should feel terrible for letting guests stay there while aware of the problem.