Smooth Hotel Rome Termini
| 4.4 out of 5.0 stars |
Clean, Comfortable, Modern Stay in Rome
Decided to try a different hotel when departing Rome for Singapore instead of the usual Hotel Corona in Via Napoli where I have stayed several times before when leaving Italy. Smooth Hotel Rome Termini is in the opposite direction and a little farther away from the Termini Station than the Hotel Corona, but I was glad to have tried this hotel. I enjoyed my short stay.
Location
The Smooth Hotel Rome Termini is located opposite the grounds of the British Embassy on the corner of Via Palestro and Via Cernaia. The hotel entrance is on Via Palestro. From the Roma Termini railway station it is a 15 to 20 minutes walk. If you have heavy luggage I would suggest a taxi/cab, which you can find at the front of the station in Piazza dei Cinquecento or on the north side in Via Marsala. Otherwise you’ll need to work out a route with the best footpaths, which aren’t always easy to find in Rome. To keep it simple coming from Roma Termini best go along Via Marsala until Via Solferino then turn right and go towards Piazza dell’Indipendenza. Go around the square into Via San Martino della Battaglia (which is the continuation of Via Solferino) then turn left into Via Palestro and go straight until you arrive at the hotel.
Room
Stayed in room 110 on the first floor facing via Palestro. It is small and for single use but has a double bed with a very comfortable firm mattress and four cushions. Sheets were very crisp. To the sides are two small side tables with overhead lights fixed to the wall. The lamp switches and power points situated just below.
Directly opposite the bed there’s a small alcove with a table top that includes a kettle, drinking glasses and paper cups for coffee and tea. A Samsung Galaxy J5 smartphone called “Manet”, a personal travel assistant, is provided free to make local and international calls, 4G Internet, travel guide and hotel services etc. A flat panel 40 inch TV sits above. Below the table top is a small fridge, big enough to store some food and drinks.
Further along the wall opposite the bathroom is another open alcove where clothes can be hanged. Five coat hangers are supplied. Below is a drawer for storing clothes and a safe to store valuables.
If you have a large bag or case there’s little space where it can be stored. The best spot is probably under the TV alcove in the place of the stool which can be moved elsewhere. On the back of the door is a full length mirror. The bathroom on the small side, is modern with a large glass shower cubicle with sliding door, a large washbasin and toilet but no bidet. Towels are large and soft.
Reservation
Booked through agoda.com. Their price was better than the special offered by the hotel. Also paid in my local currency ($AUD).
Dates of Stay/Check-in/Check-out
Stayed two nights before leaving for Fiumicino Airport. Check-in and check-out quick and efficient.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Breakfast is from 7am until 10am. Buffet style. Plenty to choose from. The hotel also offers lunch and dinner for €16.00 and served in a separate room but there’s also space outside in a courtyard, if one prefers. I was able to enjoy a pizza I had bought elsewhere in the courtyard, after asking at reception where I could eat it.
WiFi
Not the fastest for downloading large files but good for checking e-mail and general browsing.
Noise
Street noise can still be heard through the double glazed widows. I was on the first floor. There are rooms adjacent the reception on the ground floor. Those would be affected more considering the movement of people etc. Traffic noise and people talking can be heard. Via Palestro gets all its traffic from Via Cernaia.
Last Word
It’s clean, comfortable, nice staff and with a good breakfast. Wasn’t able to try the lunch and/or dinner. Perhaps next time. Would I stay here again? If I got a good price, yes I would. Wouldn’t mind trying it out with my family as they have large family rooms on the higher, quieter floors.
Update: Smooth Hotel Rome Termini is now The Guardian Hotel Rome part of the AG Group. Since the review the room configurations may have changed.
All Photos © Carlo Irlitti
| Ambiance | 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0 |
| Breakfast | 4.5 out of 5.0 stars |
| Cleanliness | 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0 |
| Comfort | 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0 |
| Facilities | 4.0 out of 5.0 stars |
| Location | 3.5 out of 5.0 stars |
| Noise | 3.5 out of 5.0 stars |
| Service | 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0 |
| Staff | 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0 |
| Value | 4.0 out of 5.0 stars |
| WiFi | 4.0 out of 5.0 stars |
