City Guest House

This hotel is house in a converted brick-and-concrete apartment building from the late '70s on a mostly-residential street; similar buildings surround it. The first impression is of a contemporary and bright guest house, with a red motif providing pops of color in many common areas. There are plenty of windows in the lobby, which has oak wood floors, a black reception desk, as well as a cozy seating area with earth-toned contemporary furniture and an antique desk with a computer station. The breakfast room is house in a covered terrace and is bright and comfy, with light-caramel walls, red drapes, lacquer white tables, glossy red chairs, and red-striped pillows along a stone-colored banquette. Unfortunately, there is a good bit of wear and tear and scuff marks throughout all spaces -- from elevators to the breakfast area -- diminishing the style of the hotel's public areas. Guests here include younger travelers on a budget, as well as couples and families. 

The hotel is well-connected with the center of Rome (so long as there isn't a metro strike), but let's be clear: City Guest House is very far outside of the city's historic core. The metro station Numidio Quadrato, on Line A, is a three-minute walk from the hotel, and a trip to center city locations like the Colosseum will take up to 30 minutes. Termini train station is a 20 minute metro ride from the hotel and Vatican City will take 45 minutes to reach. Cinecitta, Rome’s largest and most visited film studio ("Ben Hur" was shot here) is a 20 minute walk or 10 minute metro trip from the hotel. Via Tuscolana, a few blocks from the hotel, is lined shops selling reasonably-priced clothing and there are many restaurants, bars, and bakeries nearby, as well as the gorgeous ancient ruins at Aqueduct Park, a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Both the Ciampino Airport takes about 20 minutes to reach by car, while Leonardo da Vinci International Airport is up to 40 minutes away by car or cab.

These are simple, small, no-frills rooms and some of them feel downright neglected. All room include only the necessities: a wooden desk, a wicker chair, and a nightstand, and there is no art on the walls to spruce things up. Rooms do feature air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi (though it's unreliable), and some have balconies, though there's rust all over them. It’s disappointing, given that the public spaces have such a quaint, modern design. With gray tiled floors, tan walls, and beds with neutral bedspreads and white linens, we saw a significant amount of wear and tear throughout, including warped and peeling bathroom door frames, scuff marks, and stains on the walls. The only rooms that have more space are the few larger suites with four-poster beds, a kitchenette, and a seating area with a couch. Bathrooms have stand-up showers and pedestal sinks with no counter space for toiletries, and we saw a lot of moldy and dirty grout.

Accasadi, the hotel's on-site restaurant, features authentic Italian dishes and is very popular among locals and tourists in the area. The hotel also serves a free breakfast buffet in its bright, modern breakfast room and covered terrace. The fourth-floor lounge includes sofas and a library with books and magazines. The hotel is partnered with a local spa, which features a Turkish bath, salt-water swimming pools, and a sauna, and rates are discounted for hotel guests. The same goes for a local gym that’s five minutes away. Bicycle and mountain-bike rentals are available through the hotel to explore the city and the front desk is staffed 24 hours a day. There is a small computer station for guest use in the lobby, as the free Wi-Fi here can be unreliable, and airport transfers are available for a fee. Small dogs are allowed.