Hotel Villa Pinciana

Wrought iron gates, potted plants, and a lion’s head fountain adorn the entrance to this hotel. This former United States Embassy building, built in the early 20th century, holds a small, welcoming lobby filled with marble floors, Murano glass lamps, classic art, and antique furniture. There is a traditionally elegant vibe throughout, as well as a small seating area with a vintage chandelier. The breakfast room also looks lifted out of an earlier era and is a classy way to start the day, dining amid the marble floors, white tablecloths, tufted leather banquettes, and a glittering chandelier overhead. The hotel has a small bar, but the truly excellent places to relax are the outdoor spaces, especially on warm and sunny days. There is a terrace that offers seating and city views, as well as a handsome garden area near the entrance with black wicker chairs under the trees and along the grass-sprouted pavers. Guests are mostly leisure travelers, including couples drawn by the hotel's romantic Old World charms, though families also pass through.

The Hotel Villa Pinciana is centrally located on a relatively quiet street near the bustling Via Veneto area of Rome. The Spanish Steps are a 15-minute walk from the hotel, while Villa Borghese Park, a sprawling English-style garden that's home to several museums and sights, is a five-minute walk from the hotel. Via Veneto is the most posh street in the hotel's Ludovisi neighborhood, and it's lined with upscale cafes and hotels. The closest metro stations are at Barberini and Repubblica, both a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Expect longer walks to sights like the Trevi Fountain and Campo di Fiori in the heart of the old town (20 to 30 minutes away on foot). Trips by metro to Vatican City and St. Peter's Square will take about 40 minutes, including walking time. Rome's main airport, Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (Fiumicino), is a 35-minute drive from the hotel, though it can also be reached in an hour by train.

Room at this hotel have a refined finish, with antique furnishings and classic art on the walls. Red patterned carpet or wood covers the floors while tufted leather headboards add an extra dash of old-school style. Gold vintage-pattern bedspreads look sharp alongside mid-tone wood furniture with classic lines. The Old World style might not be to everyone's liking, and to be honest, a duvet is always more comfy than a bedspread, but the aesthetic feels polished and authentic. Flat-screen TVs are hung on the walls and all windows are soundproofed. Each rooms features slippers, free Wi-Fi, a safe, air-conditioning, and a minibar. Rooms range from Single to Quadruple, and Suites offer lots of living space, with tan couches, coffeemakers, and lovely city views. Some rooms have beautiful exposed beam ceilings and terraces with additional seating. Tan marble bathrooms include tile shower/tub combos with rainfall showerheads in addition to heated towel racks and hair dryers. Toiletries are provided. The suite bathroom that we saw lacked counter space, and some bathrooms only have showers.

Breakfast is included with all rooms and offers a buffet including pastries, meats, fruit, yogurt, cheeses, cakes, cereal, and espresso drinks to excellent reviews. The attached bar area offers wine, cocktails, and other drinks in a cozy setting. A small fitness room has parquet wood floors and extremely limited cardio -- it's passable for a basic workout. A hot tub is attached, though it's the plastic kind more often seen outdoors on terraces. There is a public computer in the lobby and concierge services are available; room service has limited hours. Two additional common spaces are special features of the hotel: a terrace with city views and lounge chairs plus a garden with tables and chairs both provide options for relaxing outdoors. Wi-Fi is free throughout.