Starhotels Michelangelo

A refreshing departure from the often stodgy hotels that fill the tourist areas of central Rome, the Starhotels Michelangelo is housed in a six-floor white building. Interiors have a fresh contemporary look with classic elements. Guests enter to an elegant lobby with a dark-wood reception desk, dark marble floors, a skylight, grey sofas, striped armchairs, a Roman-style bust, and large photos of Roman statues. The black-and-white color palette is infused with dashes of ochre in the velvet curtains. Guests gather in the lobby and in the restaurant and lounge, featuring marble floors, grey-and-ochre striped wallpaper, and brass ceiling lights. Business travelers use the meeting room, but the hotel largely draws tourists who appreciate the stylish rooms and excellent location, just a short walk from Vatican City and St. Peter's Square. 

Starhotels Michelangelo is in a residential area in a baroque section of Rome, a short walk from numerous shops, restaurants, and bars. Several bus stops are within a three-minute walk, and Roma San Pietro train station is a five-minute walk from the hotel. It's a seven-minute walk to Vatican City, which features the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Square, St. Peter's Basilica, Raphael Rooms, and the Pinacoteca National Picture Gallery. A few minutes walk outside the Vatican is the Ottaviano Metro station, though the metro will take about 20 minutes to reach on foot directly from the hotel. It's a 15-minute walk or 10-minute bus ride to the Castel Sant'Angelo and a 15-minute bus ride to the area that's home to Piazza Navona and Pantheon. The Roman Forum is an eight-minute drive from the hotel, while the Colosseum, Spanish Steps, and Trevi Fountain are 10 to 15 minutes away by car. Additionally, all of these attractions are between 20 to 35 minutes away by using some combination of bus and metro. Rome's main Termini Station is a 15-minute taxi ride from the hotel, while Leonardo da Vinci International Airport is 25 minutes away by car or cab, a trip that takes a little over an hour by metro and train.

Starhotels Michelangelo has 179 rooms in a six-floor building. Rooms come in Classic, Superior, Deluxe, Executive, Junior Suites, and Suites. Rooms range from 150 to 430 square feet (14 square meters to 40 square meters), so some are small. Decor is a fresh take on Old World style, with a contemporary look that's combined with classic and m od elements -- furniture has soft vintage lines while bold leather headboards stand in front of blown-up black-and-white etchings on accent walls. The room we visited depicted the interior of St. Peter's Basilica. Colors come in fall tones like beige, brown, and ochre. Rooms all include desks, safes, mini-bars, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with satellite and English channels, and goose-down bedding with pillow menus. Many rooms feature some combination of coffee/tea makers, bathrobes, slippers, free mineral water, living rooms, and sofa beds. Others have balconies and/or views of the St. Peter's Basilica dome. Bathrooms have a contemporary look as well, with tan tile walls, modern fixtures, and shower/tub combos. Some bathrooms are compact, though, with limited counter space around the sink. 

The hotel serves a free American-style breakfast buffet, featuring pancakes, eggs, bacon, mushrooms, cold cuts, cheeses, breads, croissants, cereals, fresh fruit, coffee, and juice. Classic Roman and international cuisine is available in the restaurant for lunch and dinner, with a la carte and buffet menus. Drinks are also available in the cocktail bar and room service is offered. The Michelangelo has a business center, one meeting room, concierge service, baggage assistance, a 24-hour front desk, and parking (for a fee). Suite guests are entitled to free late check-out. Small pets are allowed for a nightly fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.