Be Wary - Part 2
by TripAdvisor Member paddock76
We made reservations for this hotel over the internet (Jetsetting) and received a confirmed rate of 425 Euros per night over Easter weekend. When we showed up, the hotel charged us 600 Euros/night, contending that the confirmation was made through another agency. They would not accept the confirmation, even though I had documentation. We had nowhere else to stay during this crowded weekend. The Internet reservation service suspects that this is a case of "bait and switch" by the hotel.
Be very careful and check beforehand to see what the hotel intends to charge.
Not the perfect honeymoon
by TripAdvisor Member Mullen76
We were really looking forward to staying at The Inn for our honeymoon as friends had highly recommended it to us. We'd arrived in Rome having just had the most fantastic time in Florence and we were then heading down to Positano after Rome. We were only staying in Rome for 3 nights. When we arrived we were given complimentary drinks. After 30 minutes of waiting we went to see if our room was available. We were then told that a family staying in our room had not yet checked out due to one member of the family breaking their arm and needed to stay an extra night. We were told they'd booked us in to a hotel across the road instead for 1night. As this was our honeymoon I was most upset and couldn't understand why the family that had broken their arm couldn't stay in the hotel across the road. The hotel we were put up in was average, however, The Inn had arranged some free champagne. When we arrived back at The Inn the next day we were upgraded. The Inn were most apologetic, however, in the reception area we met another couple that had been told the same as us - that a family had broken their arm and they too were also transferred to the other hotel. I was most suspicous, however, my husband believed the story. We stayed in a fantastic room I only wish we could have stayed at the Inn for the duration we had booked. It wasn't the 'perfect' honeymoon I had hoped for.
Very Bad Experience
by A TripAdvisor Member
I had an advance reservation with The Inn at the Spanish Steps for six (6) nights in June 2005. Upon our arrival, tired and exausted, the hotel had over booked and did not have a room for us. They sent us to another hotel and The Inn at the Spanish Steps paid the other hotel for our first night stay in Rome. For our inconvenience, the manager of the hotel, Ms. Francesca Cassiere agreed to only charge us for the five (5) nights we actually stayed at The Inn at the Spanish Steps and agreed that they would pay, and they did pay, the accomodating hotel. Upon receiving my credit card bill when I returned to the US, I noticed that The Inn at the Spanish Steps charged me for six (6) nights and not the five (5) as they had agreed.
I have written to hotel'a management and have explained the agreement with Ms. Cassiere, their manager and representative; however, they continue to argue with me over this matter. I have received several unpleasant and unprofessional e-mails from Flavia Latini, no title, of the hotel.
This hotel is expensive and they do not honor their agreements. I would never stay there again. This was an awful and unnecessary beginning and ending to a Roman Holiday.
Not worth the Money!
by A TripAdvisor Member
My husband and I selected this hotel since it is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Small-yes. Luxury-No. I was really looking forward to staying at this hotel and for 440 Euros a night, we were expecting something on par with the Four Seasons, we got something on par w. the Days Inn. There was no lobby, the front desk staff was rude and unpleasent. There are so many other better properties in Rome--seek them out!
Incredible Room, Incredible Staff
by TripAdvisor Member vampiresembrace
This was such a fascinating wonderful experience I don't know where to begin. We took this trip to Rome as part of a sweepstakes that I won. We were able to pick our hotel within a certain budget range and I spent months scouring through this very site looking for reviews such as this, trying to find the best price in our allotted budget, with the most ammenities, and centrally located. What I found was the Inn at the Spanish Steps.
We were able to book a room at the Inn and then I decided to upgrade to "The View." Mind you this room by itself was not cheap, and would run, under normal circumstances around $700 a night. This part of the hotel is actually in a separate building on the corner of Via Condotti. We lost a balcony in the upgrade, but gained so much more. Our bedroom window overlooked the Steps and could be opened at whim to expose the life of the city below. We could hear the music playing and the crowds of Italians and tourists enjoying the night. Our room was on the top level of the building. Down the street we had Gucci, Prada, etc., Yeve St. Lauren below us, Bulgari across the street. This was a shopping mecca (too bad we didn't come equipt with that sort of a shopping budget). The room we booked at "The View" at the Spanish Steps is actually part of a Penthouse suite that can be rented as three individual bedrooms (the largest bedroom having its own balcony and separate sitting room) or could be combined through a series of passageways and doors to make a number of combined choices, or rented out as a whole. This separate suite also came with a common "library" area and "lounge" area that could be shared by all, as well as the rooftop balcony overlooking Via Condotti. Our room was equipt with a jacuzzi tub, double pedestal sinks, a bidet, a towel warmer (which I never could figure out how to use), and a hair dryer. The room was stocked daily with hand soaps, orange sherbert shampoo and green tea body wash, shoe shining cloths, and hair caps. If we used a product even once, it was replaced during the maids next cleaning which was twice a day. There was even colored cotton balls and a silver plated tissue holder. A downsides to the bathroom: the tub's shower door swivelled and did not seal properly, therefore allowing water to leak all over the floor while taking a shower. The tubs were also incredibly high and hard to get into, but I hear that's a problem in many hotels in Italy. The hairdryer also shut off if I removed my finger from the "on" button. There also was no clock in the room, so bring a travel clock if you like knowing what time it is.
We received a packaged deal which included transportation to and from the airport (not a deal with the sweepstakes, but through the hotel itself), as well as fresh fruit and flowers upon arrival, champagne, and a bulgari cosmetic gift (two .34 ounce bottles of Bulgargi Parfume and Eu de Toilete). Needless to say, we were not disappointed. In the closet were two bathrobes, two pairs of slippers, and a safe. There was also a mini-bar. The decor was exactly what I was expecting and was classy, trendy, and elegent. There was a coffee house next door that many locals used, as well as a variety of wonderful restaurants within a 5 minutes walk. There was a taxi stand outside the hotel to the left and the metro down a side street next to the steps. Our package included the most scrumptuous breakfast of tarts, cheeses, meats, juices, fresh fruit, cereals, and eggs and bacon if requested; as well as coffee served with the carafe by our personal wait staff. The room had a flat screen television, but only carried a few channels, and only one, BBC World News was constantly English. There was a movie channel that usually had english movies, but not always (but we're not in Rome to watch TV, right?). The staff were accomodating, and not at all arrogant or rude like reviews of some other hotels.
We had a wonderful time staying at the View and wish to thank Francesca, Allesandra, Paulo and all the other staff who made our stay so incredible. From the housekeepers and wait staff to the concierges who booked our reservations and answered our silly questions. Thank you! It truly was an experience we'll never forget.
No rooms at the Inn!
by TripAdvisor Member clamshell_7
I spent a long time researching hotels for a family trip (11 adults) to Rome for my husband's birthday. We preferred a small boutique style hotel to the large impersonal hotels & after much discussion I booked 6 rooms at the Inn for a long weekend. Four of us arrived early afternoon and were taken straight upstairs for a coffee/lunch - we assumed our rooms were being prepared (but were given no explanation) & waited patiently. After 1 hour the receptionist requested our passports & credit cards, another hour later we were still waiting so we went downstairs to see what was happening, after signing all the hotel's forms & credit card slips we were advised that 'the 3 rooms booked for that evening where not available' - allegedly a family had their passports stolen & therefore had to stay on in the rooms... Not only had we now wasted our whole afternoon waiting (instead of visiting the Vatican ahead of the weekend crowds as planned) we were then packed of to a sub standard hotel 2 blocks away. The next morning we were expected to walk back to the Inn for breakfast and then back again to the other hotel as they were not prepared to pay for breakfast at the other hotel (although we didn't find this out until the end of the trip). We finally got in to our rooms and, having now spent a quarter of our holiday being messed about we decided to try to relax and enjoy the rest of our time there. We did receive a 1/2 bottle of sparkling wine per room - I assume by way of an apology. The final insult came at check out. The Manageress was nowhere to be found and the receptionist charged us for the full rate for the Inn for the first night - even though the hotel we were moved to was €100 less per room per night! The ONLY concession they offered was to not charge for the lunch we had, (which we only had while we were waiting for our non existent rooms) & a free airport transfer - as we had already booked our transfer I refused this as I was not prepared to cancel the taxi company at such short notice. The hotel said they would explain the problem to the taxi company but instead just left a message - so, you guessed it, all the cars turned up & resulted in an almight arguement on the steps of the hotel. Most of our group are very seasoned travellers - None of us have ever been treated so diabolically or with such cynical contempt. What should have been a very special weekend was pretty much destroyed by the Hotel management's behaviour.
On the plus side the rest of the staff were delightful.
What a nightmare !
by A TripAdvisor Member
I was part of a party of 11 adults and whilst I did have a room on arrival,(well waiting up stairs while the room was being cleaned), I was advised by my family on arrival of the way that they had been treated the day before. (No rooms at the Inn for them !).
On checking out of the hotel it was very poor that the manager was not only not avialable but she was not contactable either aware that some unhappy guests wanted to speak to her about the poor service and disruption at the start of their break, (as had to be moved to another hotel).
The final straw was when the both the hotel transfers (arranged as a form of compensation as this is all they would do even though the other hotel was 100 euros cheaper and the hotel had already taken a swipe of the credit cards for rooms that did not exsist !) and the pre arranged cars turnedup, (as the hotel had not cancelled only left a message on the answerphone of the Company). This then caused an arguement between the hotel staff and the driver in the street outside the hotel. All in all a complete shambles !
Great little spot
by TripAdvisor Member runway
Just a few feet down the Via Condotti from the Piazza di Spagna is this little gem of a hotel. Our room was typical in size which means small but not overly so. The staff was very helpful making dinner reservations as we were there over Christmas when many restaurants were closed. The entrance is a discreet door and hallway across from Bulgari. Most cab drivers couldn't find it so we would just say Piazza di Spagna. On the rooftop (5th floor) is their breakfast room which includes an outdoor patio filled with lemon trees. The breakfast was fabulous and each evening they have an hors d'oeuvres buffet from 5-8 where guests gather, meet each other, and exchange travel stories. The location is marvelous, from here you can walk to everything save Ancient Rome sites. Wonderful spot. Check around before you book, prices vary widely.
Great experience, a bit overpriced
by A TripAdvisor Member
It is a boutique hotel, but really tiny, more like an upscale B&B. Rooms are nice and large, with big windows and nice street views. The hallways are beautifuly decorated. The terrace for breakfast and tea was lovely and calming after the hectic Via dei Condotti. Francesca and team were really helpful and friendly, although sometimes a bit confused. It is not the place for "big hotel" type service but it is very cosy you can really feel at home. A bit overpriced for what it is so try to get a deal ... We would come back
Overpriced and Lacking in Service
by TripAdvisor Member simcom
My wife and I stayed at the Inn at the Spanish Steps in late January and would not return. Overpriced, lacking in service and other than its rooftop lounge did not enjoy the stay. Paid $8 for a cup of tea during a supposedly free early evening tea/light snack gathering. Would suggest other hotels in the area. Beth & Brian from Atlanta
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