Bettoja Hotel Mediterraneo

Popular with vacationers and business travelers alike, Bettoja Hotel Mediterraneo was designed by architect Mario Loreti in 1936, and still holds true to its Art Deco vibe. The large lobby has gray marble-tiled columns and floors, a drawing room with velour plush maroon and gray chairs, vases of flowers, wall mosaics, and a large wooden front desk. Parts of the hotel also have a sea theme, with elements such as carved oak mermaids on the ceiling or sea-green tiles in the breakfast room. Marble is heavily used in the hotel, with white marble staircases or marble busts of Roman emperors. Floral arrangements, a large curved wooden staircase, and 18th-century paintings add regal touches to the decor. However, some furniture -- such as patterned armchairs or carpets -- appears dated, and not everything holds to the same level of elegance.

The hotel is perched on the top of Esquiline Hill, the highest of Rome’s seven hills, and it's a superb launching point to explore the city by public transportation. The Termini train station is a two-minute walk away, and the Repubblica metro station takes five minutes to reach on foot. Using these stations might be a better option compared to a 22-minute walk to the Trevi Fountain or the Colosseum, or a 20-minute car ride to Vatican City. There is a variety of dining options on surrounding streets, and it takes five minutes on foot to reach the Opera House and four to reach the National Museum of Rome. Via Nazionale, a popular shopping avenue, is a nine-minute walk away. The Leonardo da Vinci International Airport is about a 45-minute car ride or train ride from the Termini station.  

Rooms retain their original Art Deco decor and vary in terms of their color scheme and decorative accents. For example, some beds have headboards with inlayed wood, while others have upholstered headboards in orange-and-red-striped fabric. But all rooms have hardwood floors, traditional wooden furniture, historic prints, and floral arrangements. The Suites have a romantic vibe, with white chaise lounges and floor-to-ceiling mirrors. All units include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, safes, and minibars, while the Suites also come with private terraces and separate sitting areas. Note that guests have made complaints concerning the air-conditioning, Wi-Fi connectivity, and dated furniture. Bathrooms are stylish, with gray, tan, and brown marble wall and floor tiles. While Standard Room bathrooms do not have a lot of counter space, Superior Rooms and Suites do. All come with hairdryers, shower/tub combos, bidets, and magnifying mirrors, while Suites have jetted tubs. 

The hotel has a variety of on-site dining options, many of which have a romantic atmosphere. In addition to room service, there is a ground-floor restaurant -- Ristorante 21 -- and the Rooftop Garden Restaurant and Bar, which has glass walls and views of the city along with a patio. Breakfast is served in the breakfast room, though some complaints have been made concerning the quality of the food. Other features include a large bar with a lounge area. The fitness center has four machines, a weight bench, and a flat-screen TV. For business travelers, there's a variety of meeting spaces that are fully equipped with audiovisual equipment and free hotel-wide Wi-Fi. There’s also a parking garage on-site, though it costs extra to park there.