Domus Australia Boutique Guest House

Decor throughout Domus Australia is modest, and public spaces are filled with religious accents. A framed photo of Pope Francis next to a snapshot of Australian clergy greets guests in the small lobby. There are a few white chairs along with a rack of brochures for tourist excursions and pilgrimages, and international newspapers are available. A vending machine and two public computers with a printer round out the offerings here. The hotel feels quiet and subdued, with few guests congregating in common areas. Most tend to be couples, and some families, looking for a spacious but budget-friendly place to sleep and eat breakfast before moving on.

Located in the center of Rome, the hotel is in a busy area filled with a mix of embassies, businesses, apartment buildings, restaurants, and cafes. It’s within easy walking distance of some of Rome’s major attractions, including the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Baths of Diocletian. The hotel is well-situated for public transportation, and is well served by buses. The closest metro stop is Castro Pretorio, about a seven-minute walk, and Termini Train Station is only 12 minutes on foot. Major sites in the historic center, like the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and the Colosseum are all roughly 15 minutes or less on public transit. The airport is a 40-minute drive or 45-minute train ride away. 

• Five-minute walk to the Baths of Diocletian
• 11-minute walk to Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
• 12-minute walk to Termini Station
• 12 minutes to Colosseum via public transit
• 12 minutes to Spanish Steps via public transit
• 12 minutes to Trevi Fountain via public transit 
• 12-minute drive to the Pantheon
• 14-minute drive to St. Peter’s Square
• 30-minute drive to Rome Ciampino International Airport
• 40-minute drive to Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport

Guest rooms at Domus Australia are spacious, and their size is all the more noticeable due to the simple furnishings. They were outfitted in 2011, so they're fairly new and well-maintained. Decor is mostly neutral, kept to an array of browns, with dull, mint-green drapes and an accent wall providing the only dash of color. There are large beds (though doubles are two twins pushed together), and some Classic Rooms also have a small desk. The single Junior Suite is even larger and comes with a separate seating and library area. All units have AC, 32-inch wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, electric kettles with china cups and free tea and coffee, safes, and free Wi-Fi (data limits apply). Bathrooms are basic but tidy, with walk-in showers with removable showerheads, heated towel racks, old tube-style hairdryers, and limited toiletries. 

Highlights among features at Domus Australia include a restaurant that serves dinner and a free breakfast, plus a pretty rooftop terrace. The breakfast buffet includes cereal, yogurt, eggs, meats, fresh pastries, juice, and coffee. At night, the restaurant offers dinner with a menu that blends Italian options with daily specials that usually include pizza and burgers. In warmer months, the restaurant can also serve drinks and dessert on the hotel’s small rooftop terrace. Because of the owner’s association with the Catholic Church, there is a small church next door that gives English-language mass on the weekends. There is also a large meeting room that can be booked for events or conferences, and two computers with a printer in the lobby. Wi-Fi is free throughout, but limited to 50 MBs.