Suite Artis Barberini

DO NOT STAY HERE We chose this spot for location and found it adequate if charmless. However, the apartment is as others note a fourth floor walk up — we were prepared for that, but because the suite is on the top floor, the day’s heat gathers. The AC in the upper unit has no remote so cannot be turned on; it is not reachable without a tall ladder. So the upper apartment is completely unusable. I bought a thermometer today and it is 86’ F up there right now. We slept together on the main floor for two nights, wrote and called and wrote again, no answer about this ever. Tonight when we can back to the apartment the unit on the main floor was also non functional. Wound up going out and buying new batteries for the remote and hoping that works but it is half past midnight, it is almost 90 degrees here and we have to be out for a tour at 7 am. We are trying to find a booking at a hotel right now as sleeping here is out if the question. I asked if they might even provide a fan bit for no reply of any kind. Horrible.

The location is second to none - Barberini is just a short walk to most of the most famous sites in Rome, plus the Metro is about a 30 second walk away. There are also many nice shops and restaurants literally outside the front door. The room itself was large with two sofa beds and a double bed and a good sized bathroom. The downside is that it is on the 3rd floor and it’s a bit of a trek up but to be honest we enjoyed racing up the stairs every day, plus it’s good exercise. We did have trouble getting up the stairs with the suitcase on our first night but Hassan (who was checking us in) helped. He somehow managed to sprint up the stairs with the 23kg suitcase, which I’m still having trouble comprehending. One downside was that the room we were in was in the roof space so although there were windows, they were more like skylights and we couldn’t see down into the square. The room was always cleaned well everyday with fresh towels etc. The main reason we chose this hotel was that it was a good compromise between location, cost and size. We wanted a decent sized room (as we are a family of 4) but also a good location so that we didn’t have to travel into the centre everyday. Other places either looked a bit dingy or were hugely more expensive. Overall, I’m very glad we chose this place.

Two of the receptionist were absolute earth angels! Me and a friend had a moment of panic for travel, and they were so attentive and helpful. Giving us water and not neglecting us. 5/5 kindness! Really helpful driver - trustworthy people.