Via Firenze 11, Rome, Italy | (618) 248-8274
Central Rome location, near museums, metros, and Termini Station
Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Colosseum in walking distance
Cozy rooms have desks, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and hairdryers
En-suite marble bathrooms have heated towel rails and hairdryers
Free buffet breakfast with homemade cakes, eggs, and fruit
24-hour staffed reception, luggage storage, and guest computer
Secure entry and a small elevator
Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout hotel
Decor throughout is on the dated side
Some rooms are dark and in the basement
No bar or full restaurant on-site
Complaints of hard pillows or street noise in rooms
Beds can be twins pushed together (common in Italy)
The lower-middle-range Hotel Opera Roma offers 10 rooms near Rome's Termini station and sights. Its convenient location draws sightseeing leisure travelers, and Old-World decor pays homage to the opposite Opera House. Gilt accents and rich fabrics can appear charming or dated, depending on the traveler, although spaces are bright, as are many rooms. Minibars and AC are bonuses for a hotel of this category, and likewise the small elevator, especially since the property was built in 1912. A small lobby and buffet breakfast are the only features, but the latter is filling and free, and travelers generally spend their days out. Rates are more competitive at the charming Arpinelli Relais, although it doesn't provide breakfast.
Scene
Old-fashioned bed-and-breakfast near sights and Termini Station
Pink-stone and wrought-iron facades here evoke a residential vibe, and it sits opposite Rome's Opera House. Drawing its name from the famous venue, the hotel goes a step further decor-wise, with marble stone steps at the entrance, and a striking foyer with gold-painted sconces, frescoed walls, and grand front doors. White carvings and patterned floor tiles are fresher-looking than interiors themselves, where the shabby-chic look is a bit mismatched. The small lobby's heavy sash drapes, gilt decor, and mirrored walls have theater grandeur, but pleather cream sofas look out of place amid period furnishings. Carrara marbles, a Murano glass chandelier, and velour valances with gold curtains in the adjacent breakfast room are elegant, but wood-framed chairs once again cheapen the look. Overall, though, it provides a good value for the location.
Location
Right downtown, near Termini Station, sights, and restaurants
Travelers choose the hotel for its location. The six-minute walk from Rome's main Termini train station makes for easy arrivals, and Repubblica's metro station and square are half that. Notably, Teatro dell'Opera di Roma is opposite the hotel. Nearby attractions include Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica and lively Via Nazionale boulevard (both seven minutes away on foot), with iconic destinations slightly farther. All within a 20-minute walk, the Piazza Venezia, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and Colosseum can also be reached with nearby busses or metros. Metros run direct to the Vatican from the nearby Repubblica station. Via Condotti's designer boutiques, and more-affordable Via del Corso are a 17-minute walk. Shops, cafes, and restaurants surround the hotel, alongside palazzos and museums. Leonardo da Vinci and Ciampino International Airports are both an hour away by public transport, or shorter taxi rides.
Rooms
Mostly bright, comfortable rooms with marble bathrooms and AC
Although on the dated side (often the case in Rome), rooms are mostly bright and pleasant. The majority benefit from high ceilings, large windows with sheer drapes in silvers and golds, and a likewise warm palette in walls, bedspreads, and swirl-print carpeting. Wood paneling and furniture, combined with cream leather headboards and beige bedding is drab. Note, beds can be twins pushed together (common for region), and some guests have found pillows too firm. Measuring 151 square feet (14 square meters), Budget Rooms are tiny, and basement or internal courtyard positioning can render them dark. However, standard amenities are more than sufficient, including desks, satellite flat-screen TVs, minibars, tea- and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi, safes, hairdryers, and AC.Upgraded rooms offer more space, or a balcony. Compact bathrooms have lovely marble tiling, though the highlighter-yellow paint on half of the walls is cheap-looking. Still, they have showers, bidets, well-lit mirrors, toiletries, and heated towel rails. Instrument noise from the Opera House opposite can be disturbing, but many find it serenading. Rooms can be fitted with cribs.
Features
Free breakfast and Wi-Fi, but little else
On-site features are limited, but rates include a well-regarded free breakfast served buffet-style. Hard-boiled eggs, traditional cakes and pastries, cold cheeses, and meats accompany a typical continental spread, tea, coffee, and juice. No other meals or drinks are offered. Some armchairs and sofas in the 24-hour lobby offer a place to relax, alongside two, free-to-use computers. Reception stores luggage securely after check-out. Travelers tend to be without vehicles, and no parking is offered. Pets are not permitted. Property-wide Wi-Fi is free.