The Westin Excelsior, Rome

Great location and service. Will definitely stay here again

We loved this hotel. I was worried based on some mixed reviews and comments that the rooms were worn and outdated. Our room was wonderful and enormous. We had a king bed, desk, and loveseat, with plenty of room for an extra twin rollaway bed for our daughter. The room had large floor-to-ceiling windows that opened onto a side street. While we had no view, the side street was much quieter than if we had been on the Via Veneto or US Embassy side of the building. The bathroom was clean and very large with double sinks and a massive shower. Our only complaint was that the cleaning staff did not always restock towels and toiletries -- we had to call the front desk a few nights, but they sent housekeeping up immediately. The location at the top of Via Veneto was also excellent. We were a short walk from the Galleria Borghese, Capuchin Crypts, Piazza Barberini, Trevi Fountain, and Santa Maria della Vittoria. If you want to take the subway, you are a short walk from the Barberini stop on Via Veneto. We also discovered that there is an entrance to the Spanish Steps subway stop just across the street on Via Veneto. The entrance carries you on a series of escalators and movng walkways directly to the base of the Spanish Steps. The location is far from ancient Rome, but that did not stop us from walking everywhere. I would be hesitant to stay near ancient Rome which does not seem to have many nice hotels. If we travel to Rome again, I would be hardpressed to stay anywhere else.

A Nice Hotel

My husband and I stayed at the Westin Excelsior, Rome for 5 nights in November. While the rooms are expensive, you do get what you pay for. Since we were staying for 5 nights, the hotel staff made sure we had a spacious room on the top floor. As well, they checked us into our room early (10am), which was a treat after an all night flight. On the down side, the hotel is and 15-20 minute walk from all of the main sights. If the weather is nice and you are physically able, this is no problem. But "stopping by" the hotel to rest, pick up supplies, etc. is not possible throughout the day.

Good But Not Impressed

Hotel was overpriced for the summer. Many of the hotel staff need customer service training. Too arrogant to be in the hotel business. Room would have been OK if it had not been for the outside noise and street construction. Hotel staff would not listen until I spoke to the hotel manager.

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

Go to Rome in the spring and fall. Not as many visitors.

Central Location

The hotel was very well located for an tourist hoping for some typical tourist sites, shopping and yet close to the park with art gallery, fun things for kids or a nice jog. The service in the hotel was impeccable. We happened to be there during the G8, the hotel was fully booked and yet the staff was extremely professional.

old, needs to be redone

the hotel was old, out dated and needed to be redone, . rugs where very old and dirty. i was not happy. but because we had prepaid we couldnt change hotels easily

Traveler's tip on dining

around the corner of the hotel : leaving the hotel turn right, two blocks down turn right.... the best italian restaurant in rome. order the antipastas. they are the best.

Had a few problems

There were some maintenance problems with our room in particular. The chair at the desk collapsed when I sat on it. No injury, but chair was not replaced promptly. Had to ask a second time. Door knob in bathroom was broken from the inside. It came off in your hand. Also, no hairdryer was provided, and when requested was told that sometimes you got a hairdryer and sometimes you did not. Overall the hotel is very nice, but registration was slow and lines were very long and if you just needed to checkout or get something at the desk the wait could be up to 1/2 hour. Not tops on our go back to hotels for the the price charged.

Traveler's tip on local attractions

Walking distance to Trevi, Spanish Steps, and Borghese Gallery.

Stay there everytime I’m in Rome

The concierge, diningstaff, front desk, bellman, etc. were awesome!

Not like the old days.

Great location.

Great Place

This was a lovely hotel with a very nice, clean, luxurious room. The gentleman who first waited on us and showed us to our room was unfortunately rude but that was the only bad experience at the hotel. Everything else was first class.

Isn’t worth the price

Housekeeping, front desk and concierge services were not at the level you would expect from this hotel category

not impressed

no one was very helpful. they were charging us 400 euro,s to go to airport for four people... we found on our own someone for 80.00 euro,s for four.. great person in a great car. i have stayed there before and recommended it to mamy people but this time not so great.

We like it

The hotel is old but we liked it and we enjoyed our stay there

Rome’s Best

5* in every category.

i go back every year!

i visit rome evey year and i could not think about trying another hotel,the rooms are luxuriously confortable,the location is great,10 minutes walking from spanish stepps and the famous shopping area like via condotti.service is great!

Traveler's tip

location could be good for both shopping and business,

Pricey, but worth it

This was our first trip to Europe and we weren’t expecting much from the hotel after some of the horror stories we have heard, but the Excelsior met our high standards. There were a few minor upsets such as our room not being ready, no washcloths and a wake up call that we requested that never came. But overall, the hotel was very nice and was in a convenient location.

The Hotel

The food is excellent although very expensive, the bed is very comfortable. Everyone associated with the Westin is very polite and professional. Room service is great. So, it is puzzling that with all that going for it the hotel room is very shabby looking (worn carpet, drapes - the baseboards all chipped and in need of paint. We had to open the window because of the musty smell - but then it was very rainy when we were there. Would it be that expensive for the hotel to refurbish this room - and add comfortable chairs - it would then live up to its 5 star rating. If you don’t want to hear all the noise from Via Venuto ask for a room not overlooking the street.

Traveler's tip on local attractions

This hotel is located within walking distance of most of Rome’s attractions. If you enjoy walking that is - the Vatican is a 45 minute walk from the Westin.

Most Beautiful Hotel

The ultimate in luxury and comfort. We’ve stayed in hotels on five continents, this hotel was by far the most beautiful. The location was excellent and the staff incredibly attentive. We could not have asked for a more pleasant experience.

Rooms Require Refurbishing

I had previously stayed in this hotel in the early 1990’s. In the past 12 years, no refurbishments were apparent in the guest rooms other than new bed/bath linens. Alas, the carpet and furnishings are now fairly soiled. Some of the light bulbs in the bathroom were burnt out. Though were are preferred gold card holders at this chain we did not receive a promised upgrade at check-in beyond the accommodations we had booked on-line. And, though we had requested a King our room consisted of 2 twins. The best part of the hotel experience lies in the location. Taxi cabs are always waiting just outside. The other welcoming aspect is the quiet rooms located on an interior court of which one happened to be ours. We did receive early check-in as per our request. It is a vast property so refurbishing guest rooms would be costly. Nonetheless, to retain it’s 5* "luxury group" status, this is essential.

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

Bottled water can be purchased in nearby shops for a substantial savings on the minibar cost in your room.

Beautiful Rome Hotel

The Excelsior Hotel is a wonderful hotel in the best area of Rome right on the Via Veneto. From there you can walk to most of the historical sights. Beautiful rooms and wonderful bedding. I recommend this hotel highly for those of you going to Rome.

Rome, tired and lazy

We stayed in the Excelsior for two nights in September. I have never heard as many "can’t do that" or "sorry can not help" from 5 star hotel staff. The lobby is permanently ocupied by five men standing around doing nothing and totally unwilling to help. One day it was raing heavily and a staff member was using a hotel umbrealla, he refused to loan me his umbrealla so my family had to go out in the rain while he kep his umbrella planred into a flower pot! Rooms are dirty, carpets are tacky and uncomfortable, bathrooms need a lot of money spent on them. Location is great and the pool is very nice, but go elsewhere, there are better hotles around for this price. Service levels need a dramatic overhaul

Rome’s Ambassadors Work Here

Nestled on corner of fashionable Via Veneto across from American Embassy, the Westin has some of the most welcoming staff one could hope for (and they like to try their English on for size). Roomy, classy, the most comfortable hotel bed - and pillows - we have ever experienced, the hotel is in a fabulous location and boasts a great breakfast buffet! Even saw some American movie stars there!

We had to get two deluxe rooms, since the Europeans don’t seem to have suites with sleeper sofas - unless you’re a Saudi prince...Still, it worked out well for the week for Mom and Dad...

Not worth the Money

Incredibaly over priced for the service you get. The location great, but the staff is extremly unfriendly and unhelpfull. The charge for parking was a joke (70 euro a nite)and are room was not ready at check in when we arrived (4PM) They look it, but don’t act like a 5 star hotel

Traveler's tip on nightlife

Harry’s Bar is a fun place for a drink just up the road from the hotel

Westin Rome

This is a high class hotel in a very nice area of Rome. Maybe some would call it a bit snobbish. Tipping seems to be in vogue and I would suggest keeping some EURO coins in hand before arrival. Almost every place worth visiting in central Rome is within walking distance. We did not use the Restaurants in the hotel or Room service as that would have been very expensive. There are lots of neighbouring cafe’s to have Breakfast etc. All in all a decent but pricey hotel in a nice area of Rome.

Traveler's tip on local attractions

Practically every attraction in Central Rome is within walking distance from the hotel.Walking is the way to go in Rome as you are continously surprised at every nook and cranny and every turn by very old and venerable buildings.

great location

Overall a great location, lovely hotel, but you could find a place a little cheaper and be just as satisfied.....as long as it’s a stone’s throw from this place and on the same street. There’s a Marriott a few doors down as well that looks nice. I’d certainly stay here again as long as the price was right.

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

even if you don’t stay in this hotel, you want to be very close to it. There’s a park just a half block away and the street the hotel is on is lined with neat restaurants in glass cars along each side of the street. You couldn’t find a bad meal around here if you looked for one. There’s a tunnel at the end of the road that is quite odd. You go down an escalator into what appears to be a subway station, but it’s an underground mall that surfaces right into the middle of the park.

What a hotel should be

Perfect mix of tradition and comfort. Very nice rooms, very good service.