FH Grand Hotel Palatino

There’s nothing grand about the red-brick facade of the Palatino, though the lobby manages to add some of the opulence that’s expected of a hotel in this class. Glossy floors and intimate lighting create a sophisticated ambiance, though the wood-paneled walls date the hotel to the year it was built: 1968. There’s a sophisticated lounge that leads from the lobby filled with red-and-tan carpeting, red velour sofas, chandeliers, and lovely abstract artwork on the walls. The bar has a similar style, and the silver bar is a work of art in itself. The restaurants, by contrast, have a dated feel. Sure, there are chandeliers and white tablecloths on the tables, but the green chairs are worn and there’s little else in terms of decoration. The clientele is primarily tourists attracted to the hotel for its central location, although its meeting rooms make it a reasonable option for business travelers as well. 

The Palatino Grand Hotel Rome is located in Monti, a trendy, historic district in the center of Rome. The Roman Forum is a 12-minute walk away, while the Colosseum takes nine minutes on foot to reach. Santa Maria Maggiore is closer, at seven minutes away on foot. Once overlooked, the hotel's neighborhood is now popular among the young, hip crowd, with lots of bars. There’s also no shortage of dining or shopping options in the area. For those wanting to explore other areas of the city, there’s a bus stop a one-minute walk away and a metro stop that takes six minutes on foot to reach. The Leonardo da Vinci International Airport is a 32-minute drive away. 

Guest rooms range from slightly worn to contemporary and modern. All rooms are outfitted with flat-screen TVs, minibars, kettles, and safes. Air-conditioning comes standard, though it doesn't always work well, and there have been complaints about street noise in rooms. Rooms on the first through fourth floors and on the sixth floor were renovated in a warm contemporary style in April 2013, and smoking is allowed in some of these units. Rooms on the other floors have comparatively dated decor and though interiors vary a bit in terms of color schemes and furnishings, all have attractive wood floors. Higher-category rooms have living rooms with couches and armchairs, while Executive Rooms have patios and balconies with seating and great views. Bathrooms have neutral or white-and-gold color palette sand mosaic designs such as trees on the walls. Bathrooms in Deluxe Rooms and Suites have tubs and showers with hydro massage jets, while lower-category rooms have shower/tub combos. Hairdryers and toiletries are provided.

While there’s no pool, spa, or fitness center at this hotel, there is a conference center with five fully equipped meeting rooms that holds up to 360 guests. Business travelers can also take advantage of two public computers and free Wi-Fi, though there have been complaints about slow connectivity. There are also two on-site Italian restaurants and a piano bar that provides live music part of the year. Breakfast is included in room rates, and room service is available during limited hours. For guests with cars, on-site parking is offered for a fee, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.