Repubblica Hotel

Hotel Repubblica shares an entrance and hallways/staircase with the similar Hotel Augustea. They are both situated in the top five floors of an old six-story stone building entered through glass doors with the names of the hotels splashed onto the glass along with the questionable “three-star” rating. The street housing the hotel is busy with motor and pedestrian traffic and the hotel is flanked by a generic clothing store and a small cafe. Inside, the entrance is spacious but empty and the lobby is accessed up a flight of stairs. There is a nice leather couch and lounge area accented by small bronze statues and a modern flat-screen TV. The reception desk is white and old-fashion with one staff member delivering and holding keys. An adjoining lounge area is dated and sparsely furnished with a few armchairs. The breakfast room features a couple of crystal chandeliers and all tables have white tablecloths and fabric-wrapped chairs. There are a few windows on one wall but the lack of wall decor gives the place a dated and sterile feel. Clientele is a wide mix of ages and nationalities, but the vast majority of guests are tourists.

Situated on Via Nazionale, a busy wide street in central Rome next to a small generic clothing store and a tiny cafe, this hotel is within a five-minute walk of a massive variety of shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars. Republic Square, with its fountain dell'Esedre, is a minute away and the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli (designed by Michelangelo) is about a two-minute walk from the hotel. It is a three-minute walk to the Diocletian Baths and five minutes to the Termini Metro station. Termini train station, which provides easy access to the rest of Italy and also to Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (in about an hour), is about a seven-minute walk away. Piazza Venezia, near the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, is less than a 20-minute walk and Rome’s main attractions -- The Coliseum, Spanish Steps, and Trevi Fountain, can all be reached on foot in 20 minutes or fewer, or in about 10 minutes via Metro.

There are 87 rooms in this hotel that sleep up to four people (in four single beds) and all look similar with rather tired furniture and ill-matching upholstery and wallpaper. They are relatively spacious with vaulted ceilings and room to move around, plus they have wooden desks, safes, somewhat modern flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges -- although a few of these extras have proven to function poorly. There are a couple of classic paintings on the walls in each and air-conditioning/heating units near the ceilings. Rooms overlooking the street are subject to some traffic noise. Bathrooms are a little cramped with pedestal sinks, dated hairdryers, and vinyl-enclosed showers.

This hotel offers free Wi-Fi in the lobby and also in rooms close to the lobby -- the signal is weak in rooms that are far from it. Breakfast is included in some room rates, but it's a simple buffet of coffee, juice, cereals, and a small selection of pastries. Small pets are permitted for an extra fee. The reception desk is open 24 hours.