Residenza Borghese — Hotel in Rome

You won’t even imagine, much less believe this. As part of official delegation, I was assigned to assess a list of hotels for our group upcoming visit. Residenza Borghese was one of those hotels. The entrance was very confusing. While there’s a sign at the main gate of the old building, yet no sign directing you to which elevator or stairs or even hallway.||The reception confirmed the reservations, but no other information were really provided unless you ask. You’re warned that after 7pm, there’re no reception, no one will answer the phone, and if you have a problem or need something, you’re on your own.||Breakfast. The next day, where service supposed to start at 7am, I had a problem with the shower, I called the reception several times but, no answer. At 7:15am, I went to the reception, and the doors were closed, the door to the breakfast area was open, so we (my colleague and I) walked through, no one was there, no breakfast area, but a box with a cold assortment of croissants. So each took one, and went back to our rooms.||5 minutes after I walked into my room, someone was pounding at my door, so I opened the door only to be faced with an African male shouting at me and my colleague who had his room right next to mine and was talking in anger : how dare you take this without my permission?” ||I replied in a very calm voice: good morning to you too. Sorry, but I didn’t get your name or who are you?||He replied I’m the receptionist. I said well, we have been trying to reach you, Mr. receptionist, there’s no hot water, the shower is fixed with a screw, no one is answering the phone, no breakfast and the list is long. As for breakfast, we have paid for this so called breakfast more than a week ago.||The receptionist kept going off and talking in Italian, but he said that if your neighbor next door, is having a shower, you can’t use yours. As for the screws in the shower, this is Residenza Borghese, what did you except, The Grand Hotel?||My colleague tried to calm the guy down, and even offered to pay for it, while I kept telling him that breakfast is paid for.||Rooms are much smaller than pictured, mattresses are very old where the springs coils are guaranteed to get skeleton frame out of alignment, no one speaks English, so no one will tell what’s going on or what you have for breakfast. Many horrible things happened in that place and no need to waste more time or energy on them, I would simply say,...

Due to landing late we had to collect our keys from a hotel that was a 10 minute walk away. This was because the hotel desk closes at 10pm and all staff go home. ||We were given 4 different keys and instructions in Italian so after some trial and error we finally found room 101 in the vast building but not before trying get in to an apartment and being shocked when a member of public opened the door looking slightly pissed off! ||||In the room was a double bed, 2 singles and a bathroom. There was no working air conditioning but there was a large stand alone fan. ||There was no tea/coffee making facilities even though there were a few tea bags and a cup and saucer in the room. There was no safe deposit box or ironing facilities. There was a hairdryer in the bathroom. ||Unfortunately during the duration of our stay our toilet flush did not work. We asked many times for it to be looked at/fixed. All the hotel could say was maintenance are aware and will be fixing tomorrow. It was never fixed and we had to flush the toilet by filling the bin with water and throwing it in the toilet. Not ideal with 4 of us staying in the room (2 adults, 15 year old and 11 year old) but we were told there was no where else to put us! ||||Breakfast was included but we only opted for that on the first day. It was a little odd. Every 2 people had to have the same thing so the kids had choc croissants and hot choc which were ok but my husband and I had to have the same and he likes coffee and I don’t. Seemed quite limiting. We opted for toast and received cold stale cracker like sliced bread with butter and jam. We had breakfast in the city from then on. ||||||We love Rome and we will return but we will not stay here again. ||||||One part that was locally fabulous was the restaurant just outside this hotel (but not associated or linked to) La Brushetta had stunning food, drink and wonderful service. Highly...

The hotel itself is great if you’re after something cheap and clean within walking distance of all of the main sights of Rome. My boyfriend and I walked from the Vatican (45 mins) and to the colosseum (40 mins) and everything in between. The room was lovely and modern and clean - far better than expected for the price. I’ve seen some people complain about the breakfast saying it’s just two pieces of dried bread, however that’s the snack near the kettle and not breakfast. You have to call for this and they bring to your room pretty promptly and consists of croissants, yoghurt, dried toast and your choice of coffee. The only downside is the staff member who checked us in was extremely unhelpful. The outdoor gate wouldn’t unlock for us once we pressed the buzzer up and spoke to him and he couldn’t care less if we were left outside for hours. It took three buzzers up and a phone call to the hotel before he (slowly) came downstairs to let us in and then he was in a terrible mood and very unhelpful. Apart from this gentleman I’d 100% stay here again if after a cheap...