Best Western Hotel Rivoli

Not the standard expected of Best Western hotels

Was a bit shocked as we arrived by limo from airport as it is not located as indicated on the map of the web. Rather remote and only serve by two bus routes. We could not get tickets as no newspaper stand were open in the afternoon and end up walking 20 minutes to metro. The hotel does not look as pictures on web. We booked a room for three and was expecting 3 proper beds as seen on web, but end up two beds plus one. The bathroom is nicely done, new and clean. The reception girl was very nice, speaks fluent English and very helpful. That’s all I can say.

Not impressed

Due to problems with the flight, we arrive to Rome one day late, however we call to the hotel the date we must arrive, to tell them the problem, and to confirm our reservation and change to the next day. The problem was when we arrive at the hotel one day late and the hotel make the change just for one room, and I booked 3 double rooms, and the hotel was full so the do not have the capacity for the entire group. After a discussion with the administrator at the moment in the hotel we get the tree rooms.

Can’t beat the price!

While this hotel had lots of charm, the architecture is beautiful, staff very friendly, etc. It’s an old structure. The rooms were small, not all the rooms had working AC and hotel was only equipted with 2 fans. The location is nice and quiet, which makes sleeping a lot easier at night, no mopeds or cars racing outside your window. Overall a cute quaint place, but not a 4 star hotel by US standards.

They have a great outdoor patio that is enclosed and safe to let kids run about. Also have decent breakfast every morning that could satisfy most hungry mouths.

Large Room but thats about it.

The hotel was clean and the room that I had (205) was extremely large with a huge terrace. That was the plus, the only other good thing was the morning girl at the front desk, Monia. If not for her I wouldnt have had any service at all. She was fantastic but the others seemed to not care at all. The other bad thing was the air conditioning. It hardly worked and the room was always hot. The mini bar had 1/4 of the drinks it said it was suppose to have and once you drank the only beer they never refilled it. Room service was listed everywhere on there literature, even at the front desk, with a menu!! Yet there was NONE. The bar was hardly every open, we tried to get a drink, even a coke at 10pm on a Saturday night and they refused us. The room was priced right and the location is kind of out of the area of the night life but all that could have been overlooked if the service was good. I hope Monia doesnt quit, they will really be in trouble.

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

If you want to stay a mile from the center of Rome for a reasonable price, then this was a deal. If you looking for comfort, I would go elsewhere.

Hard to find

Hotel is nice but a bit on the outskirts. Very hard to find as is on a dead end street that no one seemed to be able to know how to find. Once you find it though it’s clean, quiet and friendly and an easy bus ride to Roma Terminal where you can catch the open bus tours.

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

Don’t count on the metro to this location until about Jan 2010 as metro station is completely closed for repairs. Also, as I almost found out the hard way ... metro stations are full of pick pockets. Walk a couple of blocks and take the 910 bus. There is a grocery store about 2 blocks away if you want to save $$ by buying items for a cheap brunch or sandwiches in the mini bar.

Great Hotel, But Get Ready to Walk

Upon entering the hotel, we were greeted by a spacious marble foyer off a more intimate sitting area. Beautiful marble, hotel immaculately maintained. Staff was most affable and always ready to help. Elevator accommodates 2 people with 2 pieces of luggage, that’s about it. Room was smaller than American standard, but suited our needs comfortably (2 adults, no kids). A/C was only luke warm and not adjustable; we suggest you remove the metal casing before leaving for the day. Bathroom was marble and good-sized but as Europe does not utilize venting, and as we were there July ’09, you’ll want to keep the window cracked, but remember residents across the street will see you in all your glory (and unfortunately, you’ll see them AND hear their gas, though funny). During our 5 day stay, the weather was 92-97 degrees Fahrenheit and we mainly walked everywhere, though heat was not humid at all unlike NY, where 80F can be oppressive. American Dollar definitely did not go far, but we realized this ahead of time. No nearby bus or metro service, though taxi arrives at hotel in minutes - it’s a full half-hour walk to conveniences. Fully stocked fridge, no PPV or English language channels except for CNN International. Overall great stay, though next time we may pick something a little closer.