Ambasciatori Palace Hotel

With its grand central staircase, tall marble columns, and intricate Venetian sculpting, Ambasciatori Palace Hotel showcases a wealth of preserved period features that exude classic charm. Built in the early 1900s to house foreign ambassadors visiting Rome, the hotel still hosts diplomats today, primarily from the nearby American embassy. While it’s not old by Rome’s standards, the hotel carries a stately sense of history -- although some public areas such as the restaurant, with its patterned carpeting and clash of primary colors, may come across as a bit dated. The friendly, down-to-earth staff are a proven asset, winning back a good handful of repeat guests. Most visitors hail from the U.S. and the Middle East, with a good proportion of them being diplomats on government-related business. 

Via Veneto, propelled to international fame by Fellini’s "La Dolce Vita," was a popular hangout spot for Hollywood stars and jetset personalities including Audrey Hepburn and Gary Cooper. It’s still one of Rome’s most famous and prestigious streets today, packed with luxury hotels and dining options. Famous monuments such as the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain are easy walking distance, a five-minute and ten-minute walk respectively. The main train station is a 15-minute walk, while the Pantheon, Piazza Venezia, and Piazza Navona can all be reached in around 20 minutes on foot. The Colosseum is more easily accessed by metro (15 minutes), while the Vatican is a 20-minute drive. Both Fiumicino and Ciampino Airports can be reached in around 30 minutes by car. 

The elegant rooms at Ambasciatori Palace Hotel have comfortable, classic furnishings accented with lush textures and modern touches. Fresh, pristine bed linens and details like sleek headboards keep them from feeling too old-fashioned, while Murano glass chandeliers in higher category rooms provide a sense of luxury. All rooms come with amenities including king-size beds, bathrobes and slippers, well-stocked minibars, tea- and coffee-making facilities, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi and safe access. The marble bathrooms come in different hues, and have a classic feel, with either tubs or showers. Entry-level Classic Rooms are still charming, feel clean and fresh, and face the quiet inner courtyard. Superior Rooms are bigger with street-facing views, while Deluxe Rooms occupy the fifth floor (renovated as of 2018), with more modern decor and touch panels for lighting and room temperature. Junior Suites have separate living areas, and Suites often include jetted tubs and spacious balconies facing Via Veneto.

Although it lacks a rooftop terrace to take in the area views like some of its competitors, Ambasciatori Palace Hotel has a decent range of facilities, including nine different meeting rooms, and a business center with free printing facilities that's well-suited for business guests. There’s also a stately lobby bar that serves food -- but beware the quality and the prices. The free breakfast buffet is held in the restaurant, and includes a decent spread of homemade cakes, baked goods, fresh fruit and fresh orange juice, and hot items including scrambled eggs, bacon, and omelets made to order. The restaurant also provides international cuisine for lunch and dinner, and the cozy terrace is a good spot in sunny weather. A 24-hour gym has modern equipment, albeit a limited selection, and there’s a dedicated concierge desk that's open until late. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, and the hotel’s paid private parking garage is a rarity in Rome.