Residenza Argentina

Despite its super-central location, the hotel's private courtyard entrance has a sequestered feel, although finding it via unassuming wooden doors and electronic gates can be tricky. A cozy atmosphere here is due in part to the small number of rooms, which alongside common areas, occupy two stories of a late-18th-century villa. The sharp, contemporary design includes a breakfast/bar space with oversized red lamps, lucite chairs next to glass tables, and a foil-like silver bar across from a fireplace. Free evening drinks and appetizers here give an international crowd a chance to mingle. Neighboring residential properties occupy other floors. While the setting affords a home-like feel, hallway noise has disturbed some guests. A tiny elevator reaches rooms. The intimate and chic vibe makes the property mostly popular with couples.

The hotel's central location is fantastic. History-lovers need only walk across the street for sunken excavations forming the famous Largo Agentina. The Pantheon and Piazza Navona are six minutes away on foot, with Piazza Venezia is two minutes farther. Buzzing nightlife replacing morning markets at Campo de' Fiori is a seven-minute walk, and a wealth of restaurants, pizzerias, and gelaterias surround the hotel. While the restricted-traffic zone here makes parking tricky, a bus stop across the street and plenty of taxis are convenient. Public transportation can shorten the walks of up to 30 minutes required to reach the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Vatican, although the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps are half that. Via dei Condotti's designer boutiques and more-affordable Via del Corso are also 15 minutes away on foot. The main Termini train station is a 20-minute bus ride. Leonardo da Vinci International Airport is a 40-minute drive, or one hour by public transport. 

Some split-level, the nine rooms are elegant and contemporary, ranging from Standards to Suites. Neutral tones dominate the spaces, which are outfitted with hardwood floors, white walls, and tan blankets. Some add original wood ceilings, curtains with photos of Rome landmarks, and gilt-framed mirrors. Amenities include phones, satellite flat-screen TVs, minibars, kettles, electronic safes, free Wi-Fi, and touch-screen panels to control air-conditioning and housekeeping requests. Rooms have desks and all have a sitting area, while suites add living room and Nespresso machine. The Junior Suite has a romantic whirlpool in the bathroom, while the rest have rainfall shower stalls. All have bidets, fluffy robes, slippers, toiletries, and hairdryers. Courtyard-facing rooms are generally quieter than those overlooking the street, although neighboring noise can be an issue. Rooms can be fitted with cribs.

Limited space here means the bar doubles as a breakfast room. The free morning spread consists of bacon, sausages, and scrambled or hard-boiled eggs, plus a rich continental spread with tea, coffee, and juice. The room's clear dining sets and large red floor lamps are particularly atmospheric in evenings, when free sparkling wine and tapas-style snacks are provided. The bar's wine, spirits, and soft drinks are rarely taken outside of the free "happy hour", and there's no full restaurant. Additionally, there are no gym or spa facilities, though that's common for the area. With so much nearby, however, guests don't seem to mind the limited amenities. Garage parking a five-minute walk away is at a fee, but restricted-traffic zones do not permit vehicles to approach the property. Laundry, city tours, and airport transfers can be arranged for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout.