La Griffe Roma - MGallery by Sofitel

Housed in a lovely 19th-century building with a yellow facade and charming Juliet balconies, La Griffe looks like a traditional, classic hotel from the outside. The small, bright hall with ornate wall and ceiling moldings, and Classical-style statues continue the impression. However, interiors stand in stark contrast to the delicate entrance and facade. The dimly lit, narrow lobby has black walls and floors, and backlit and reflective surfaces reminiscent of a trendy, sleek nightclub. Some praise the hotel’s bold design as sexy and chic, but many find it a little overdone and dark. There is a small seating area with red sofas and a few movie posters across from the elevators, and additional seating is available in a low-ceilinged, windowless lounge with a TV, and funky metallic lamps. A "Vacanze Romane" movie poster and other black-and-white artwork adds some style, but the lounge feels a little basic, and the lack of natural light means few guests linger here. A striking winding glass staircase with bright red walls decorated with art books, and a wiry metal lamp, are fun touches.

The hotel is located on a busy cobblestone street a block from famous Piazza della Repubblica and the Repubblica/Teatro Opera metro station. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and trattorias within a five-minute walk, and Termini train station can be reached on foot in about 10 minutes. This central location is convenient for all types of travelers, as it offers easy access to business areas, historic sights, shopping, dining, and parks. Major attractions, including Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, the National Roman Museum, Palazzo delle Esposizioni, and Trevi Fountain are all within a 10-minute walk of the hotel. In addition, it is also possible to walk to the Spanish Steps, Villa Medici, Villa Borghese, the Colosseo, and the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo in less than 20 minutes. For Piazza Navona, Campo de’ Fiori, and Trastevere, guests may want to hop on a taxi. Vatican City is a 15-minute metro ride from La Griffe. 

The bright, bold color scheme found in common spaces continues in the hotel’s 123 rooms, all of which have wine-red bed runners, cherry leather-style chairs, and strawberry accent walls. Rooms are generally clean, but those expecting luxury or style may be disappointed. Starting at 194 square feet, most units are small (especially for the price), and the combination of different shades of red makes them look more mismatched than themed. Red throw pillows with white patterns, and silver mirror frames are contemporary touches, but white tile floors, simple dark wood furniture, and glass desks make for a somewhat generic, plain feel. Amenities are average for this category, and include flat-screen TVs, safes, electric kettles, and minibars. Wi-Fi is free in all rooms. Some units have nice street views and small balconies, but others overlook an unappealing internal courtyard shared with other buildings. Junior Suites have a sofa bed for an extra guest, and Fitness Suites have a jetted tub, a sauna, and fitness equipment. Bathrooms have either wet-room style showers or shower/tub combos, as well as hydromassage features that many guests find difficult to operate. Heated towel racks are a nice perk. 

The rooftop area is the star of the show at La Griffe, complete with a restaurant, a lounge area, and two hot tubs. La Luna restaurant is located on the ninth floor, and serves decent Mediterranean cuisine in a spacious dining room with large windows and views. Buffet breakfast is served here every morning, and there are several tables outside for alfresco dining. The lounge and hot tubs are on the 10th floor, and offer panoramic city views, but the hot tubs are only open seasonally. The small fitness center has a handful of basic cardio and strength-training machines, but it is located in a windowless basement and isn’t quite appealing. The hotel also has a meeting room with audiovisual equipment, and free Wi-Fi throughout. Discounted rates at a nearby public parking lot, and free passes to the Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL) are also available.