Parlamento Boutique Hotel

Tucked into the fourth and fifth floors of a 600-year-old building, the Parlamento is marked by a small sign on the street side, and a door and elevator around back in a courtyard. The entrance has a steep archway that gives one the immediate sensation of being in ancient Rome. The reception area has one small, blue sofa and a computer available for guest use. The breakfast area feels like a little cafe, with a chandelier; narrow, arched doorways; prints and paintings of ancient Rome; and a sofa to lounge on. The best feature of the hotel is an open terrace with simple, patio-style tables and chairs; the clay tiling, potted plants, and views of surrounding rooftops make this a great place to sit with breakfast or a cappuccino in warm weather.

The hotel is within two minutes’ walk of cafes, shops, and restaurants; several of Rome’s main historic attractions are also right down the road. Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and the Pantheon are within a five- to 10-minute walk. Famous squares are also within easy reach -- Piazzas Venezia, Navona, and del Popolo are less than 15 minutes away on foot. St. Peter's Basilica and the Colosseum can be reached on foot in about 25 minutes. The Barberini Metro stop is about 15 minutes away on foot; from here, one can access any historic sight within about 15 minutes. The trip to Leonardo da Vinci International Airport takes just over an hour by public transportation, or about a half-an-hour by car. 

There are 23 rooms at Hotel Parlamento, and like the rest of the hotel, they have antique furniture such as brass-framed mirrors, mahogany or wrought-iron headboards, and chandelier lights. The homey decor includes pale-green, floral-patterned bedspreads, and salmon-pink walls decorated with prints of Rome. The tube-TVs are older models, and there isn’t a lot of floor space. Still, rooms are impeccably clean and some have upstairs loft areas. Bathrooms are compact, with towel warmers and bidets; some have narrow, stand-up showers, and others have tubs. Rooms are equipped with safes, individual air-conditioning/heating units, and free Wi-Fi access. Some overlook the shared terrace.

A continental breakfast spread comprised of cereal, a small selection of breads and pastries, and yogurt is included in the room price. There is a lovely rooftop terrace on which to enjoy breakfast or coffee in warm weather. Wi-Fi access in rooms and throughout hotel is free. The Parlamento staff will help arrange airport transfers and tour reservations. Pets are welcome for an extra fee.