Doubletree by Hilton Rome Monti {ITA}

Based on the fact this was a recently opened hotel, the price, the location in Termnini close to all tourist attractions and the few reviews already on TripAdvisor, I choose this hotel for a leisure stay in Rome. This was a good idea as the hotel was good, with good service and good food. Recent rooms were definitely nice. My experience with hotels in Italy was poor so far and this was a welcome change. 

I was granted early check-in at 11 AM despite arriving announced. Check-in was smooth, the clerck gave me my key, a voucher for 15% reduction valid at all restaurants and another voucher for 500 pts reward if I spend more than 25 EUR at the restaurants during the stay. 

I was not upgraded, I booked a Standard Queen room and had that. The agent told me the hotel was full. Checking the app a bit later there was one Superior King room for sale, and apparently just one. It might be a cache and the hotel was truly full, maybe. 

The hotel is recent and it shows: the room are modern, nicely decorated, without trace of wear and tear. The standard room is quite small, nearly New York small. If I put my luggage on the floor I was blocking access to the bed or the windows. Window that can open indeed. Note the light, those pictures were taken a bit after 11 AM. This particular room was on the inside, towards the internal courtyard. Opening the curtains more helped a bit but in general this was a fairly dark room. 

The bed was a proper queen bed, comfortable. The pillow were at the right size and right comfort for me, I had great night. However the AC can not be switched off, it is on permanently and always automatic. Meaning to turn it off one needs to set the temperature to something high, so it would simply turn off as it cools only. 

Switches were a bit annoying: there was a group of 3 switches at the entrance and beside the bed, with a master, in a 2*2 layout, and you need to use trial and error to figure out what they do initially. Same in the bathroom. So you need to remember main light was bottom left in the bedroom and top right in the bathroom. Not very convenient.

Inconvenient also was that there was no electric plug by the bed, only USB plug. Electric plugs were by the small table near the TV. 

Tea and coffee making facility provided, a safe was provided. Water bottles were provided every day. 

The bathroom was modern, good water pressure and good temperature control. Standard amenity provided. Nice to have a towel rack, this is so often missing. 

I could not fault the service: the check-in desk staff was young and customer oriented, same at the breakfast or housekeeping (water was provided daily, still and sparkling). The few interactions I had with staff were all pleasant and went well. 

Breakfast was very good. It was a typical buffet but due to COVID regulations, the staff were serving you, you had to point what you wanted. The choice was large enough for me, quality too. It was more typical continental than italian, but this was fine for me.

The hotel also has a rooftop bar and restaurant (did not try) and a cafe. I had lunch at the cafe and this was not good: a very dry salad. Maybe it was my choice ? The pastries looked delicious though.

The location was very good. It is in Termini but far enough from the station (5 blocks) that the neighborhood is nice. The hotel is on the doorstep of the Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore. It is quiet despite being a large street (the hotel is very well isolated anyway). The station is a 10 min walk with luggage. There are three metro stations nearby (Termini, Republica and Cavour).

The Roman Forum is 15 minute walking, the area near the Trevi fountain is maybe 20 minutes. There are a lot of restaurants around, of different types. The Via Urbana in particular had nice restaurants of all sorts, nicer than Via Cavour. I do recommend, when coming back to the hotel late after a full day, the Gelateria S. M. Maggiore (organic ingredients, no preservatives, nice choice of flavours). 

This will be a very good addition to the Hilton brand in Rome and hopefully an alternative to the very pricey Curio Collection nearby.