Quality Hotel Rouge et Noir Roma

Situated in a late 20th century concrete building lined with balconies, the Quality Hotel looks like a sterile apartment building from the outside. Guests -- most of whom are business travelers -- pass through glass doors into the spacious and contemporary lobby, reception, and restaurant area, which is furnished with white chairs, white lamps, and leather couches. The space is lined with a handful of tall potted plants and there are large abstract canvases hanging on one wall, plus orange accents used throughout in attractive ways. The initial impression is spartan, but at least up to date, though it sadly doesn't carry over to guest rooms and other public areas. The breakfast room has almost no decor and is filled with old wooden chairs and circular catering-style tables covered with yellow tablecloths. The bar, with its orange walls and cheerful line up of bottles, is more inviting. There is also a fine outdoor pool and plenty of parking. 

The hotel is situated on a hill in a residential and formerly industrial area of eastern Rome’s Nomentana-Tiburtina district. There are plenty of offices and public administration buildings all around as well as a few restaurants and shops. However, the neighborhood does not in any way resemble Rome’s historical city center, and none of the city's sights are within walking distance. The hotel provides a shuttle to the Pietralata Metro station on Line B, which is otherwise about a 20-minute walk away. Both the Termini train station and the Colosseum take half an hour to reach by metro, while the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps are about 40 minutes away. Guests looking to drive into central Rome should expect trips to take about 20 minutes depending on traffic. Leonardo da Vinci International Airport is about an hour and 20 minutes away by public transportation, or about a 40-minute drive.

There are 207 rooms at this hotel, and although they range from simple rooms with single beds up to Quadruple Rooms, are all similarly configured. While relatively spacious and generically modern, the overall vibe is bland, with dated curtains, furniture, and patterned satin bed coverings. The dark accent wall is a nod towards more modern decor and a token piece of abstract art hang over the beds, and all rooms have light wood laminate floors. In-room features include a flat-screen TV, safe, air-conditioning, and a mini-fridge, and each has a small private balcony, some with lovely sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. Bathrooms are modern, with large beige tiling, bidets, and shower/tub combos.

The hotel offers free Wi-Fi access in rooms and public areas, a free buffet breakfast of yogurt, cereal, pastries, and coffee, and a free scheduled shuttle to and from the nearest metro station. Simple meals are available in the hotel's restaurant and the bar is available for cocktails, beer, and wine until late. There are six on-site meeting rooms, which can hold up to 200 guests in various configurations and can be reserved for special events. Free parking is available in the outdoor lot that wraps around the hotel. There's also an outdoor pool, but guests are charged a small fee to swim in it. Airport shuttles can also be arranged for a fee.