Hotel Balilla

Conveniently situated near Termini station and metro, close to restaurants and shops. Varied, abundant breakfast with flexible hours. Friendly, professional staff. Guests praise cleanliness and comfortable rooms.

I have been going on vacations for a long time but never have I experienced a level of disrespect and unprofessionalism before. Hotel Balilla is all that, and worst. Our whole experience started with the hotel owner Carlo, literally bickering at the front of the hotel with my friend’s sister who was just there to visit her brother. He came at her in a threatening manner accusing her of illegitimately staying in the hotel when we haven’t even spent the night yet. He refused to listen to her explanations and continued arguing in front of the guest. Our reservation came with breakfast but only got to use it a couple of times due to scheduling limitations. The breakfast starts at 0730, which is too late in my opinion, especially if you’re a guest who’s wanting to travel early to other places in Italy. You’d have no access to drinking water if you need it as it’s just not offered. We managed to avail of the breakfast a few times we decided to have a late start but were treated differently for unknown reasons. We were denied seats saying the tables were “occupato” when there’s literally no one in the small breakfast area. My friend had to go upstairs in her room to have her breakfast the one time she went, while I had to insist on the seat I wanted. As a paying guest, I feel this is just flat out discrimination. I asked some of the guests if maybe I needed to make a reservation, but said they didn’t have to, which is how it should be! That part would just remain a mystery to me I guess, as the owner just spoke Italian to us the whole time, even though I managed to hear him speak a little English to another guest at one time. Oh and you’re not allowed to eat whatever he has prepared on the table. There were packaged pancakes, toast, etc, but all was offered was coffee and a croissant. The bed was really uncomfortable and each guest only had one pillow (paper thin!) to use. Overall, I do not recommend this place. The location is sketchy and seems unsafe as indicated by the need to constantly lock/secure the front door. Do your research and read the comments from other guests who’s had horrible experience from this place, as well! Good luck.