Hotel Borromeo

Housed in a 19th century building -- the kind scattered throughout Rome -- the low-slung yellow facade holds a combination of lovely antique spaces and tired areas in need of an overhaul. The main floor's lobby and reception areas have a grand, Old World feel, with vaulted brick ceilings, striking patterned marble floors, and goldenrod shades throughout, from the club chairs in the TV room to the settees in the hall, the stools at the lobby bar, and the accents in the curtains. The small bar in the lobby has three stools, but an unattractive vending machine looks out of place, while the TV room has gorgeous velvet and leather antique couches and chairs. The rooftop breakfast room features an adjacent terrace that offers views of neighboring buildings, though the breakfast room itself feels tired, with odd color choices that don’t coordinate, like green chairs, celery-colored tablecloths, and salmon-colored curtains. Guests here are predominantly tourist couples, though a few families and solo travelers pass through as well. 

Centrally located on Via Cavour -- one of the city's main shopping arteries -- many of the most important historical sites in Rome are a short walk or metro ride from the hotel. The Colosseum take 15 minutes to reach on foot, while the heart of Rome’s historic center is a few minutes beyond that, and the Trevi Fountain, the Roman Forum, and the Spanish Steps are also within a 15-minute walk. The Termini station is a 10-minute walk from the hotel, and The Vatican can be reached in 35 minutes via the metro from Termini to Ottaviano, though the closest station to the hotel is at Cavour (a two-minute walk) and a transfer from that line can also be made. The Imperial Forum is less than 10 minutes away on foot, while the Pantheon takes about 20 minutes to reach using the bus. The proximity to Termini station also makes it easy to reach Leonardo da Vinci Airport by train in 50 minutes, a trip that takes up to 45 minutes by taxi depending on traffic.

The rooms here are simple and have classic elements, with high ceilings and warm wood antique furniture, though some aspects appear outdated, like cheap bedspreads and heavy curtains. Yes, rooms are small (starting at 12 square meters, or 129 square feet), but they are perfectly functional for tourists looking for a place to rest at night and feature comfortable beds, a desk that doubles as a media console (with a minibar hidden underneath), an additional patterned armchair, and a closet. The top portion of the attractive yellow walls are framed with white and the wood paneling at the base lends a vintage elegance to the space, while a few pricier rooms have oversized terraces. Other features include flat-screen TVs with satellite TV, air-conditioning, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Marble en-suite baths have heated towel racks and bidets, have tight stand-up showers and pedestal sinks with little counter space, though larger rooms come with a soaking tub and a shower.

Free buffet breakfasts are served in the rooftop breakfast room with an adjacent open-air terrace, while the small bar and lounge in the lobby serves cocktails, tea, and coffee throughout the day. A TV room, also on the ground floor, offers a flat-screen TV and workspace for using a laptop and free Wi-Fi, which is available throughout the hotel. The hotel is pet friendly, and babysitting services as well as laundry are available for a fee. There is no on-site restaurant for lunch and dinner, and the hotel lacks a fitness center. The 24-hour front desk can provide concierge services and arrange airport transfers or private car services, and newspapers are on hand every day for free.