Good location for train station. But rooms were really old and the service at breakfast (which stops at 9.30!) was a little bit rude. Also, our door had been forced to be opened (before we arrived), it is not a safe place in the city.

Hotel California is located near Termini Station, but far enough to be away from some of the "traffic" - about 5 - 10 minutes walk. Their website was helpful BUT I found making the booking a little confusing - I ended up calling to confirm the rate & dates of stay as I could not believe how informal they were when I contacted them by e-mail. Antonio, desk clerk/manager, was very helpful and when we checked in, greeted me like an old friend. The lift was something out of the norm for me, but once you accept that old style European accomodations are different than what we are accustomed to in the USA, it is no problem - just part of the adventure! The hotel shares the building with another hotel, so certain floors were theirs and others were not. The room was clean and comfortable with large shuttered windows which could be opened to view the street below. The furnishings were a little worn but everything was spotless. I will never forget our first night, standing in the open window, listening to the sounds of a violin playing Italian love songs for the diners in the sidewalk cafes. Directly across the street was a little mom & pop cafe where we enjoyed dinner with a personal touch. The location worked well for us as we had arrived by train from the airport and were leaving from Termini to take the overnight train to Paris. Additionally, the tour company we used to for our Rome at night tour and our tour to Pompeii was located only 1 block away. We stayed 3 nights for about the same price as it would have cost to spend 1 night in some of the other hotels. The breakfast buffet was good and served in a pleasant environment. I felt safe enough to walk the streets around the hotel unaccompanied, even at night - but as always, use common sense when out alone - Rome, like all big cities, has it's share of pickpockets and street kids. Overall, we enjoyed our stay and I would recommend this hotel. Additionally, it is located on the right side of Termini, was very convenient to public transportation and could even be considered within walking distance to some of the popular sites, such as the Coloseum, Republic Square, Santa Susanna.
On our last day in Rome, we were able to leave our luggage in the lobby under the watch of the day clerk until that evening when we picked it up and walked back to Termini to continue on our European adventure...

having read the reviews we were really nervous about going, expected the worst hotel in the world but it wasn't that bad (obviously previous contributors have not stopped in Blackpool in the middle of November). yes the area does has its beggars and dodgy looking people walking around but it is 2 minutes away from the central transport hub of a major capital city (its whats to be expected).
the reception area and the room we stopped in were clean, maid service every day and the staff were all civil, polite and helpful (again its not eurodisney but not quite fawlty towers either). the location of the hotel was good for getting around with its proximity to the metro, bus services and tour bus departure points. there is a handy cheap supermarket around the corner (go 2 blocks to Mary Maggiore turn left along 1 block and in front of the Church over the road is a well stocked and well priced shop- about 4 or 5 minute walk) and the lift didn't seem that bad, yes it holds only 2 people and was bouncy at times but it was bascially a very old fashioned lift and did its job!!

4 nights in mid-July with air-con that switches off after 2 mins!!!! Need I say more? We thought the lift hilarious - high point of stay! Rooms - down-at-heel - linen clean, fridge cold - but that's it! Breakfast was POOR - very little on offer and what was, very poor quality. Location a bit rough but we had no trouble. That's the perils of online booking!!!!