Hotel De Petris

Hotel De Petris is a tale of two buildings -- one is updated and modern, and the other retains holdovers from earlier times, like a caged elevator and, less charmingly, aging furniture and carpeting. The main reception area has a front desk of warm woods, tile floors, and small nooks with black leather armchairs and couches for seating. It doesn't add up to a particularly fresh or inviting look. The breakfast room is a bit brighter, with orange benches and chairs, wood floors, white and black chairs and tables, and an enclosed terrace, whose glass walls let in plenty of light. The rooftop terrace is arguably the most attractive space on the property. Its potted plants and flowers make a nice backdrop to the white tables, chairs, and umbrellas. Given its central location, the hotel draws mainly tourists, especially couples and families. 

In a prime tourist location, the Hotel de Petris is a five-minute walk to the Trevi Fountain and an eight-minute walk to the Spanish Steps, with several restaurants, cafes, and shops on the surrounding streets. The Colosseum -- a bit farther -- is about a 20-minute walk from the hotel. Vatican City can be reached in about 35 minutes on public transportation -- a bus stop and metro stop are less than a four-minute walk from the hotel. It’s a 40-minute drive to Leonardo da Vinci Airport. 

The Hotel de Petris' 53 rooms vary significantly. Some have an old-fashioned style, with framed floral artwork, faded coverlets, and furniture that shows wear and tear. Others have a cleaner more modern -- even fashionable -- design, with soft-gray floral fabrics, striped walls, pulled-back curtains, and sleek white furniture. Still others exude a sleeker, more minimalist vibe, with photographs of sculptures, checkered-print bedding, and dark furniture. A few of the larger rooms have loft sections with couches or day beds, and might include private balconies. Rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, minibars lightly stocked with nonalcoholic drinks, safes, and free Wi-Fi, which is not always reliable. They all lack coffeemakers. Guests have complained about maintenance and housekeeping in the older rooms. Bathrooms, like the rooms, differ in their level of modernity -- some are sleek with brown-and-tan or white-and-tan tile and vessel sinks, while others have dated red tiling. All include shower/tub combos or showers, and some have bidets. Toiletries and hairdryers are provided. 

As a small property, the Hotel de Petris lacks the "big" features found in larger hotels, such as a restaurant, bar, fitness center, or meeting facilities. It does include a breakfast buffet in its rates, and it hosts an evening happy hour, with snacks and drinks available (for a fee) on the furnished rooftop terrace. There’s a public computer for guests' use, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, but the signal can be a bit iffy.