Hotel Genio

The Genio Hotel has all the appearances of an elegant Roman property, and is located in a handsome six-story neo-Renaissance palace on the corner of a busy street, smack in the middle of the old city. Once inside, the interiors keep with the building’s grandeur: The lobby area is large, spacious, and bright, thanks to large windows and high ceilings. The decor is typical of the classical, slightly pretentious, and almost overdone style seen in hotels across Italy -- chandeliers, classical furniture, oriental rugs, sofas upholstered in gold velvet or with beige and maroon stripes, and a wood-paneled bar. The hotel’s location in the old city and within walking distance from many tourist sights make it popular with leisure travelers, especially couples and families traveling together. This is also a frequent rest stop for tour groups. Many guests have complained about problems with overbooking, in which case guests are walked to other nearby hotels.

The Genio Hotel is located in a lively area of the old city that's filled with winding streets dotted with cafes, restaurants, and bars. The fountains of Piazza Navona are just a two-minute walk from here, while the Tiber River is a two-minute walk in the opposite direction, and the Opera House is around the corner (a one-minute walk). The closest public bus stop is a one-minute walk from the hotel, while the nearest metro station is Spagna, a 15-minute walk away. There’s also a taxi stand just outside the hotel. It's a six-minute walk to the Pantheon and to Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, an eight-minute walk to Campo de' Fiori, and a 10- to 15-minute walk to Castel Sant'Angelo, Via del Corso, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. It's a 16-minute bus ride to the Baths of Diocletian and Santa Maria degli Angeli, and a 22-minute bus ride to St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, and the Colosseum. Termini Train Station and the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore take 25 minutes to reach by bus, and it's a 40-minute drive to Leonardo da Vinci International Airport.

The guest rooms at Genio Hotel are kept clean and decked out in an ornate, classical style, highlighted by gold-and-red patterned wall-to-wall carpeting, and complemented with gold wallpaper, gold or navy blue curtains and bedspreads, gilded mirrors, and molded ceilings. Rooms range from minuscule Singles to larger Triple Rooms. The bathrooms are generally spacious and tiled in rich colors, equipped with shower stalls, bidets, and large mirrors. All rooms have air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi (though the connections can be patchy), flat-screen TVs, and minibars. Some guest rooms show signs of wear and tear, such as peeling and faded wallpaper and mould on shower walls. Past guests have complained of problems with the air-conditioning. Also, rooms are inadequately soundproofed, and noise from neighboring rooms and the street can be an issue. 

The large covered terrace on the rooftop is decked out with plants and sculptures, and is perhaps the hotel’s best feature. Guests can relax at the many tables and chairs, and enjoy the fabulous views of Rome’s rooftops, including St. Peter’s Basilica. A free continental breakfast is served each morning in the breakfast room, which is elegantly furnished with round tables covered in long tablecloths, but it can be dark because of the lack of windows. Services on offer include assistance with booking tours and tickets, limo service, laundry, fax and photocopying, and luggage storage. Private parking can be arranged in advance at a location nearby for an extra fee. There’s a computer and printer available in a corner of the lobby area, where there’s also a bar, but past guests have complained that it never seems to be open. A Wi-Fi connection is available throughout the hotel, but the connection is not very reliable.