Hotel Italia

Situated in an 80-year-old brick building, the Hotel Italia is showing signs of age, but still has a bit of charm. Narrow hallways are decorated with colorful oil paintings and a large world map. A more modern vestibule has black leather chairs set against white and cream decor, including wall paintings and carvings of ancient Roman architecture and scenes. The elevator is an iron mesh number, and the small reception area is equipped with a dated wood front desk, a couple of yellow armchairs, and a patterned rug atop a speckled tile floor. The breakfast room is small but clean with white walls, and several small tables covered with rather unattractive yellow tablecloths. There is full bar attached to the breakfast room, comprising a simple wooden counter and shelving unit with no seating. Guests are tourists who spend most of their time out exploring, and don't require too many bells and whistles from the hotel. 

Located in Rome’s historic district between Via Nazionale and Via Veneto, the hotel is within easy walking distance of virtually all of the city's major attractions. It's a 15-minute walk from the Termini train station, which connects to all parts of the city. Guests are also within a 10- to 15-minute walk of several historic monuments and sites: the Colosseum, Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Piazza della Repubblica, Rome Opera, and the Baths of Diocletian and Exhibition Palace. Leonardo da Vinci International Airport is about a half-hour drive, or a 35-minute train ride from Termini station. 

Like the rest of the hotel, the rooms can feel a bit old, and some -- with their floral curtains and bedding -- are in need of an update. Still, rooms are clean and relatively spacious, and each has a small flat-screen TV, a kettle for coffee and tea, a safe, and free Wi-Fi access, although it is not very reliable. Some rooms have mini-fridges with free bottled water. There's an annex across the street where rooms are newer (renovated in March 2014), and have fresh paint and more modern colors and linens. Bathrooms are clean with peach tiles, glass-door showers, and hairdryers, but they are rather small. Some beds are hard and the single beds too narrow for some guests' liking. 

The hotel's best asset is its central location, putting guests within an easy walk of Rome's famous historic sights, including the Colosseum. The free buffet breakfast includes a small selection of breads, pastries, cereal, apples, yogurt, and coffee. There is free Wi-Fi access throughout the hotel, but it is spotty in places. Reception is open 24 hours, and there is a full-service bar off the breakfast room. Airport pick-ups and drop-offs, tickets, and tour reservations are available upon request. There is no parking available near the hotel.