Charming boutique in beautiful, ornate Italian mansion
Convenient, central location near Piazza del Popolo and Villa Borghese
Clean, elegant rooms with flat-screen TVs and minibars
Marble bathrooms with high-end toiletries
Extensive, free hot and cold breakfast buffet
Stylish bar with discounted drinks
Free Wi-Fi
Some rooms are on the small side
Elevators are cramped and can be slow
No fitness center
The 59-room River Palace Hotel is an upscale property that showcases its Italian heritage with Roman busts, Renaissance oil paintings, and even a nod to the Sistine Chapel on the rooms' ceilings. Located a few blocks north from the Piazza del Popolo, the hotel is central and conveniently located for a leisurely stroll to the Spanish Steps. An impressive breakfast is served each morning free of charge, and Wi-Fi throughout is also free. For a similar vibe a little nearer to Rome's touristic center, take a look at the Hotel Locarno.
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Scene
Elegant, historic boutique
The River Palace Hotel is located in a stylishly imposing traditional Italian mansion, a perfectly symmetrical pink facade of shuttered windows and ornate balconies. The reception area is heavily clad in polished wood with carved Corinthian columns, and opens up into a delightfully light and stylish lobby space with parquet flooring, soft modern seating, and polished black tables. The elegantly stuccoed ceiling features a beautiful stained glass centerpiece, while classical Italian paintings hang next to busts of Roman noblemen. Although leaning a little towards the faux antique, the hotel manages to maintain an atmosphere of formal elegance.
Location
Good base to explore Rome, two stops from the Vatican
Located in the relatively quiet district of Flaminio, the hotel lies three blocks from the Piazza del Popolo and the western entrance to the beautiful Villa Borghese gardens. The nearest Metro stop is a five-minute walk away, and two stops away from St Peter's Basilica and Sistine Chapel of the Vatican. The famous Spanish Steps and stunning Trevi Fountain are a few tram stops away, or a 20-minute stroll.
Rooms
Marble-finished bathrooms with high-end toiletries
The hotel's 59 rooms are decorated in a traditional style with gold-fringed wooden paneling, gilded mirrors, and calming sky trompe l'oeil ceilings -- a nod to the Sistine Chapel. In-room amenities include flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, fully-stocked minibars, and free W-Fi. Bathrooms are finished in marble and include CO Bigelow toiletries and wall-mounted hairdryers. Suites also have large balconies with tables, seating, and views over Rome.
Features
Free buffet breakfast and free Wi-Fi
The hotel breakfast room provides an extensive hot and cold buffet breakfast every morning free of charge, while a small first-floor bar area serves evening drinks and snacks with a 50% discount between 6pm-10pm. A dedicated Internet corner is free to guests, travel books can also be perused from large black sofas, and Wi-Fi is also available free of charge.
