Duke Hotel

Nice Staff, but don’t Expect five star quality

Most friendlist staff ever, the hotel is old and renevated but the rooms and equipments are old and beat up. Don’t get me wrong the room is clean but you don’t get the feeling that you are in the 5 star or 4 1/2 star hotel compare to US standards. The breakfast is really good and the people at the restaurant will take care of you (extremely friendly). The hotel is kind of far away from everything but if you want to get away from all the noise this place will definately work since its located in the quite neighborhood. The worst thing about this hotel is their unconfortable beds, the beds are super old and disgusting. I wouldn’t stay there if I go to Rome next time because my standards are very high, but I wouldn’t stop you from going since the price is reasonable, but for sure this is not the 5 star hotel compare to US standards at all more like 2 1/2 to 3 star hotel.

Lovely, if out of the way

We stayed at the Duke two nights in November after disembarking from a cruise. The hotel is very comfortable and the staff helpful. We couldn’t get a "superior" double, but the classic room had a large, good bed, ample storage and a beautiful bathroom. It was small and there was nowhere to sit and read except on the bed. My problem was that the room was very hot and the individual temperature controls didn’t work. We called the desk twice to ask them to turn off the heat to our room, but ended up leaving the doors to the balcony open all the time. The breakfast buffet was HUGE and we had dinner at the hotel our last night and it was quite good. We would stay here again.

This hotel is the best kept secret in Rome!!!!

I had a work meeting to attend on a friday and it was also our anniversary so my husband and i decided to stay the weekend. We informed the hotel that it was our anniversary and they upgraded us to the honeymoon suite! The place was amazing! The rooms are spacious, very clean and beautifully decorated. The staff is friendly. The hotel is in a quiet neighborhood, but getting to town by bus/metro/taxi is really fast and easy. I would not stay anywhere else in Rome! Honestly, this is the best kept secret in Rome - we went past some of the other hotels we were considering and were so thankful that we had chosen to stay at the Duke!

We liked the Duke Hotel

We were very happy with the Duke Hotel. Our room was very clean and beautifully appointed; the service was very good. A sumptuous breakfast was included. The hotel is in a nice residential neighborhood, and there was a shuttle service to a central Rome location--which makes up for it not being in the middle of tourist attractions. I would definitely stay there again.

wonderful experience

This hotel is off the beaten track, as other reviewers have mentioned, but is a beautiful hotel in a peaceful neighborhood setting. The staff were friendly and professional. The shuttle service to and from the Spanish Steps was helpful and very organized. Breakfast was lavish, rooms were lovely and well maintained. Highly recommend!

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

There a local grocery market a few blocks away, where we purchased bread, cheese and fruit for a reasonable price. This is a econmical alternate to eating out every night!

Great Hotel at Reasonable Price in Rome

The hotel is in an exclusive residential neighborhood. It is a boutique hotel (so no on-site gym, etc). However, the restaurant is good and free full breakfast buffet is included (even includes Mimosas). You can’t walk to the Spanish Steps, but a free hotel shuttle takes you there and back (you have to make reservations for scheduled trips). The rooms are small, but very clean with an "upscale" feel. I couldn’t believe you could get do as well in Rome for the price. It is like a small Four Seasons.

Beautiful and Quiet Hotel

We were in London on our way to Rome and hadn’t booked a hotel. We chose The Duke because of the rating and location. We arrived and were greeted quickly (in English) by the bellman who was also working the front desk as they were shorthanded that day. Our 3rd floor room was clean and ready. We did have some problems with the A/C, and the room safe. We were so tired and it was late so decided not to tell them until the next morning. The next morning after breakfast we told them about the room and they immediately upgraded us to a junior suite on the same floor, so we didn’t have to use the elevator. By the way one of the three elevators is very small. Only two persons can fit inside. The breakfast in the morning is awesome, just don’t be late, they do not want to serve you if you show up after closing time. PLUSES: Quiet location. Old art deco interior. Attentive service. Shuttle to Via Ludovisi, next to the Hotel Eden. Nice breakfast. Small grocery about 5 min walk. Nice bar downstairs for late afternoon/evening drinks. NEGATIVES: Nothing to do located nearby. 10 minute walk, at least, to a restaurant. Small elevators with a long wait.

If you want to save a little money, stay here eat breakfast at the hotel and pick up some food at the grocery to carry with you for lunch or dinner. However, the rooms do not have refrigerators.

Wonderful Hotel

From the moment we checked in (which was late at night and after an exhausting 24 hours of travel), we instantly felt welcome and like VIPs. Every request was accomodated, and the room was quiet, comfortable, and spacious. My two teenage boys were impressed with the accomodations, and my wife and I felt like we were staying in a comfortable refuge at the end of busy days of sightseeing in the summer heat. The complimentary breakfast was fantastic, and gave us energy to carry through our jam-packed days in Rome. Would definitely stay here again!

Excellent value. Superb and Helpful Front Desk Staff.

We stayed at the Duke for 5 nights during the last week of May,2009. The staff was excellent, and always greeted us with a smile, after a long day of touring the city. Rome was the last leg of our 23 day Italian trip with a great visit to Rome. The hotel is north of the Borghese but we used the hotel shuttle with no problem. Other times, we took the taxi and the fare was not too bad (10-15 Euro) Otherwise, the Metro stop is close by. The decor is classic. Buffet breakfast was good, with paying option for other cook-to-order items.

Very cosy and elegant.

Situated in a quite green area next to the Villa Boghesa the Duke Hotel combines an elegant chic with a cosy comfort. The rooms and public areas interiors are very classic and refined. Hotel parking is very expensive (25 EUR/day) but you can leave your car in the streets nearby (pubic parking). Staff is very kind and helpful. Very good impression.

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

The hotel has its own free of charge shuttle bus getting you to the city centre every day (the stop is near Spanish Steps).

A nice respite from the city

We were recently in Rome for three nights and stayed at the beautiful, genteel Duke Hotel. The staff was extremely helpful and courteous and we found the accommodations to be lovely. We were glad to be there, away from the noise of the city. But, be forewarned, if you are walking, it is a bit of a hike up the hill. Some people may not think it a great location for sightseeing, but the staff will drive you to a convenient point to begin your day. I would definitely go back again.

First Trip in Rome

The hotel is located in a quiet part of Rome which has its pluses and minuses. On the positive side, you can rest in a more suburbian setting away from the city noise. On the downside, you have to plan on taking the shuttle back that hotel provides complementary (last shuttle leaves Spanish Steps at 10:00 pm) or plan to take the Rome to Viterbo train from Flaminio (last train leaves at 10:40) pm and get off at Plaza Euclide station. Basically, if you plan on being in the main part of Rome past that time, you have to take a taxi back (which we never did because of reputation of dishonesty). The hotel itself overall was nice. The buffet breakfast in the morning was a major plus as it allowed my wife and I to fill up before a day of sightseeing and we only had to eat out once a day in the evening. The room itself was extremely clean, however a little small by the American standards. There was no coffee maker in the room, but the fact that there was a bede makes up for it. The only concern was the fact that we could not control room temperature. Despite the fact that it was cold outside (late february/early march), it was extremely hot for my wife inside the room and the hotel claimed that they could not activate air conditioning until June per Italian law.

Make sure to set up a password for your ATM from before you leave United States. We thought that it was gonna be as simple as it was in Spain (where it is as easy to use an ATM as in California) and we found out that it is not the case at all. We learned a valuable lesson - not every European Union country is the same.

Good Service

The service is outstanding. Shuttle service very prompt. Love everything about this Hotel. It is everything you could ask for when away from home. Clean,clean,clean and I am a clean freak so for me this was just the place. Thank you for some of the best service I have ever had...

Traveler's tip on local attractions

Just have fun. Must see the Borghese. The Metro easy to use. The people so nice. I love Rome

Great Small Hotel

We used this hotel in Rome on our Honeymoon in November 2008. We really enjoyed the personalized service, they even knew our names when we would walk through the lobby! The area is a ritzy apartment area with this hotel situated amongst the apartments. There was a great balcony, the view though was of the other apartments, which wasn’t so great. The service was excellent. We went to the HUGE breakfast and ate to our heart’s content. While there, the staff would clean and have our bed made before we got back! I was extremely satisfied and would absolutely recommend this hotel to anyone.

Traveler's tip on local attractions

The hotel offers a shuttle to the Spanish Steps, make sure you call and schedule when you want to be picked up since they only run when asked to.

Exellent Hotel

Great Hotel, The staff was great and very helpful. I recommend this Hotel with out a doubt.

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

The best thing you can do is deposit the money you are expecting to spend in to your regular bank account and take your ATM card with you and withdrawl the money your specting to spend each day. Banks are more up to date with the money exchange.

very nice hotel

very helpful front desk staff. little far from the historic places but their free shuttle is very helpful.

Couldn’t Have been better

We had reviewed others’ reviews before choosing the Duke and we were so satisfied that we had chosen it also. The friendly folks at the front desk were very cooperative. The Shuttle service was perfect and the recommendations of restaurants in the area were fine. I would hardily recommend others choose it too. Only complaint was the computer available for guests’ use had a different keyboard than those I am familiar with in the States. For example the @ sign was not readily available until a technician had to come up and show me how to find it. Also it wouldn’t send my messages. I had to send them later from other computers on our trip.

excellent hotel

After spending 6 nights in Positano, my husband and I, along with two other couples decided to spend 2 nights in Rome. I secured the rooms at the Duke for what we all thought to be a wonderful price. We were happily surprised at the quality of the hotel, and with the service, especially the two lovely young people at the front desk. If you want to be in the thick of things in Rome, the Duke is not for you. It’s a little off the beaten path, in a lovely residential neighborhood. They do offer a free shuttle service to the Spanish Steps area, which we took advantage of. The breakfast buffet was resplendent, and my friends thought I was a genius for finding this lovely hotel at such a low price.

Traveler's tip on getting the most out of your stay

Take the shuttle into the city center to see all the historic sites in Rome, and then call a cab in the evening to go to dinner. It will make life much easier for about $15-20.

Very nice hotel

The staff at the hotel were extremely helpful in meeting all our needs. It is located in a quiet neighborhood and has a shuttle to take you within walking distance of several sites to visit. I wish they had service to the Vatican. However there is the city train station within walking distance and you can get to the metro system easily.

Traveler's tip on getting the most out of your stay

Learn to use the mass transit system. It will get you to almost anywhere you want to go.

Excellent hotel - exellent service.

Hotel was lovely. Beautifully maintained. Rooms were beautiful. The only complaint was the shuttle service - only goes to one stop and you have to sign up in advance.

Gorgeous hotel but a little bit out of the way

The hotel is beautiful and service is friendly and helpful. It’s a bit far from major sights but the shuttle service was very convenient and dependable.

A convenient located Hotel

The hotel personnel are kind and helpful.

Top of the list for Rome

This was the BEST vauled hotel in Rome, thru Expedia. The hotel provides transportation to city center/metro/etc on a routine schedule.

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

Just a bit away from transit, hotel provides shuttle.

Nothing bad, nothing great

Nice boutique hotel in a quiet neighborhood. Staff is friendly and helpful. Breakfasts were delicious; otherwise the restaurant is a bit over-priced. Room was on the small side by U.S. standards. Bed was terribly uncomfortable. Location not the best, although transportation via shuttle was fairly convenient - as long as you’re one of the first 7 to book for a particular time slot. Otherwise, wait 45 minutes or take a cab. Overall, I’d rather stay closer to the center of the city for the price paid.

The Best Hotel in Rome

The Duke provided us with an absolutely amazing place to stay while experiencing Rome. The suite we booked was beautiful, with hard wood floors and a very large bathroom. The view from the balcony onto the twisting Via Archimede below was nice. The room was cleaned every day, and the hotel provided a free english newspaper. Also, the free continental breakfast was great. The hotel staff were all extremely friendly and fluent in English - especially the front desk. And the Duke provides it’s guests with a free (Mercedes) shuttle to the Spanish Steps, which runs about every half hour. The location was very peaceful, outside of the noise of central Rome and right near the Villa Borghese, Rome’s largest park. All in all, the best hotel we’ve ever stayed at. Absolutely book this hotel if you’re spending time in Rome.

Traveler's tip

Don’t ever rent a car in Rome and drive. Use the Metro to get around. Tickets are cheap (1 euro for 1 pass underground) and it runs near most of the major attractions.