Pros

  • Centrally located close to Vatican City
  • Most tourist attractions within a 20-minute walk
  • Artfully rendered interior design styling
  • All rooms are air-conditioned and soundproofed, some have balconies
  • Superb rooftop terrace with panoramic city views
  • Excellent hot and cold buffet breakfast included in room rate
  • Internet corner for guests' use
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout
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Cons

  • No fitness center or spa
  • No restaurant
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Bottom Line

Hotel Isa is an upscale, family-run boutique property located in the bustling and upmarket district of Prati in the center of Rome. The location is excellent, with plenty of bars and restaurants nearby, and almost all of Rome's major sights within walking distance. Rooms are well-finished -- though styling might not be to everyone's taste -- and some open on small balconies. The show-stopper, however, is the wonderful rooftop terrace offering enviable city views. Prices can be low compared with similar hotels in the area, especially considering that an outstanding breakfast is included in the room rate.

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Amenities

  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi

Oyster Hotel Review

Hotel Isa

Scene

Artful blend of contemporary minimalism and classical Roman touches

This relatively unassuming 19th-century building impresses immediately -- a monolithic black-stone check-in desk dominates the high-ceilinged reception room, which seamlessly blends contemporary minimalism with classical touches that hark back to ancient Rome -- a motif that continues throughout the hotel. Opened in the 1960s, Isa Hotel started as a seven-room boarding house but has been expanded and modernized by the same family over the years. Today it comprises 53 rooms over five floors. The mix of old and new is skillfully rendered in the swish lobby lounges, where marble floors, a fireplace, and coffee table sit alongside modern art and chesterfield sofas. An old-fashioned, wrought-iron elevator takes guest to smart hallways, or all the way to the hotel's wonderful rooftop, panoramic terrace garden, which provides enviable vistas of the city and views of St Peter's Dome. 

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Location

Centrally-located in Rome's Prati district not far from Vatican City

The hotel is centrally located in Rome's upmarket Prati district -- a commercial and residential area of Rome that buzzes with offices, restaurants, cinemas, cafes, bars, and every kind of pastry shop. The impressive Castel Sant'Angelo and Palace of Justice are close by -- less than 10 minutes away on foot -- and Vatican City and its world-famous Sistine Chapel are within a 20-minute walk. The Spanish Steps and the Pantheon are also within a 20-minute walk, but in the other direction. The nearest metro stop, Lepanto, is a 10-minute walk away and connects to the Termini Railway Station.

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Rooms

Nicely finished, distinctive interior design in air-conditioned and soundproofed rooms

The hotel has 53 rooms, no two of which are identical, although each is either classical or modern in style. Interior design is quite idiosyncratic, with angle-cut mirrors and bespoke fixtures, while bathrooms are finished in marble (showers have a seating ledge) and include toiletries. Amenities include free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels and pay movies, minibars, and safes. All rooms are air-conditioned and soundproofed against the noisy street below. Some rooms also open onto small furnished balconies, and Superior Rooms include seating areas with sofas. 

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Features

Extensive buffet breakfast served with city views on rooftop terrace

The highlight of the hotel is its superb rooftop La Terrazza di Isa where an extensive hot and cold buffet -- including omelets, bacon and eggs, and Italian cheese and hams -- is served free of charge, with excellent views over the city (weather permitting). Wi-Fi is free and available throughout the hotel, and there an internet corner for guests' use. 

See More Features

Things You Should Know About Hotel Isa

Also Known As

  • Isa Hotel

Address

Via Cicerone 39, Rome 00193, Italy

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

Hotel Isa

Scene

Artful blend of contemporary minimalism and classical Roman touches

This relatively unassuming 19th-century building impresses immediately -- a monolithic black-stone check-in desk dominates the high-ceilinged reception room, which seamlessly blends contemporary minimalism with classical touches that hark back to ancient Rome -- a motif that continues throughout the hotel. Opened in the 1960s, Isa Hotel started as a seven-room boarding house but has been expanded and modernized by the same family over the years. Today it comprises 53 rooms over five floors. The mix of old and new is skillfully rendered in the swish lobby lounges, where marble floors, a fireplace, and coffee table sit alongside modern art and chesterfield sofas. An old-fashioned, wrought-iron elevator takes guest to smart hallways, or all the way to the hotel's wonderful rooftop, panoramic terrace garden, which provides enviable vistas of the city and views of St Peter's Dome. 

See More Scene

Location

Centrally-located in Rome's Prati district not far from Vatican City

The hotel is centrally located in Rome's upmarket Prati district -- a commercial and residential area of Rome that buzzes with offices, restaurants, cinemas, cafes, bars, and every kind of pastry shop. The impressive Castel Sant'Angelo and Palace of Justice are close by -- less than 10 minutes away on foot -- and Vatican City and its world-famous Sistine Chapel are within a 20-minute walk. The Spanish Steps and the Pantheon are also within a 20-minute walk, but in the other direction. The nearest metro stop, Lepanto, is a 10-minute walk away and connects to the Termini Railway Station.

See More Location

Rooms

Nicely finished, distinctive interior design in air-conditioned and soundproofed rooms

The hotel has 53 rooms, no two of which are identical, although each is either classical or modern in style. Interior design is quite idiosyncratic, with angle-cut mirrors and bespoke fixtures, while bathrooms are finished in marble (showers have a seating ledge) and include toiletries. Amenities include free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels and pay movies, minibars, and safes. All rooms are air-conditioned and soundproofed against the noisy street below. Some rooms also open onto small furnished balconies, and Superior Rooms include seating areas with sofas. 

See More Rooms

Features

Extensive buffet breakfast served with city views on rooftop terrace

The highlight of the hotel is its superb rooftop La Terrazza di Isa where an extensive hot and cold buffet -- including omelets, bacon and eggs, and Italian cheese and hams -- is served free of charge, with excellent views over the city (weather permitting). Wi-Fi is free and available throughout the hotel, and there an internet corner for guests' use. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.