Grand Hotel de la Minerve

The grand Minerve is housed in a luxurious 17th-century mansion that looks out over the Piazza della Minerva. Visitors pass through a high arched doorway flanked by imposing columns to reach a bright lobby with marble floors, contemporary charcoal and off-white chairs and couches, and fresh-cut flowers, all crowned by a stained-glass ceiling. Alcove cut-outs in the wall display replicas of Roman statues. With its elegant meeting areas, the Minerve should fit the needs of both business and leisure travelers, but its proximity to Rome's most famous sights will always make it a tourist favorite.

Tucked between the Pantheon and the St. Maria Sopra Minerva Basilica, the Grand Hotel de la Minverve is ideally located for anyone wanting to explore Rome on foot. The area is full of restaurants, shops, and luxury boutiques. Within walking distance are the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps;  the Colosseum is about 20 minutes away on foot. The main railway station, Roma Termini, takes about 10 minutes by car, and Rome's International Airport takes about 25 minutes. It's worth noting that there isn't any parking on-site. 

The 134 rooms at the Grand Hotel range from small Classic Rooms with one double or two twin beds to expansive suites. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs, minibars, electronic safes, and free Wi-Fi. Elegant marble bathrooms with shower/tub combos and hairdryers come standard, and suites have multiple rooms and come with free welcome gifts of wine and chocolate. The Suite Stendhal was once the Roman residence of the French writer for which it is named and has high frescoed ceilings and a large jetted tub. Rooms overlooking the street have nice views.

The Minerva Roof Garden is arguably the hotel's best feature, as it offers gorgeous views of the Pantheon from its indoor and outdoor seating areas. The restaurant serves a wide array of traditional Italian cuisine and seafood, and is open for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. Fixed-price and a la carte options are available, and special menus are on offer for holidays and special events, such as birthdays and first communions. A continental breakfast buffet with hot and cold items is served every morning in the elegant La Cesta, the hotel's breakfast room. The hotel bar, Le Cupole, opens in the morning and serves cocktails and snacks. 

There are four small meeting rooms and a larger space, the Olimpio Meeting Room, that has arched ceilings with colorful Venetian glass chandeliers and marble statues in alcoves along the walls. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.