We recently stayed here 2 nights with a group of high school kids. Unfortunately, there happened to be a group of young soccer players in this hotel. We were disgusted with how the management handled our situation. The young boys were making very inappropriate comments to our girls, calling their rooms in the middle of the night, etc. After we were informed of this, we asked the front desk to do something. They replied, "Boys will be boys." The kids continued their behavior, forcing us to sit in the hallway outside our girls' rooms until almost 4 in the morning when the boys finally stopped roaming the halls and went to bed. Maybe that is how young boys treat young girls in Italy, but we were not going to allow our girls to be treated that way. So, in conclusion, the hotel is actually pretty nice and they have a great breakfast, but if you want a place where the management won't put up with nonsense, I wouldn't recommend this hotel.

In brief - the hotel is some distance from the City centre with all it's attractions. Taxis each way will cost around 40-50Euros. We did not use public transport.
The area in which the hotel is situated is very dodgy looking and run-down.
An apartment close by had a noisy student party until dawn.
Someone else here describes the hotel as being "like an old-style Travel Inn" which is spot on!
The hotel's website portrays it as looking bright and new - it is now very old.
The pool (of which I will attach a photo) is closed, green and derelict. It obviously has been out of use for some time, with no plans to re-open it.
Room was clean, staff were generally pleasant and spoke enough English to understand us thankfully!
Room had 3 single beds (we were a couple with one child)
Internet in room was expensive.
The one meal we had in the main hotel restaurant was fine, but slow in coming.
Breakfast is held upstairs and is light continental.
This hotel would be fine if you have no expectations, and want to save a few quid by staying well outside the city. But you would have to use the metro to keep the costs down.

My stay at the Petra Hotel and residence was a pleasant one indeed.
I was a bit skeptical to begin with due to the other reviews but my room just right. Even though I travelled solo I booked a double room and I was not disappointed. The room was spacious and clean, heating was very good and the bathroom clean. For the price I paid I am not complaining, I stayed in hotels where I paid much more and received poorer service.
The lobby is modern and quite stylish, the reception staff very kind and spoke English really well.
The location of the hotel is not in the city centre but not too far either. I just caught bus 46 from stop ‘Schiavonetti’ to ‘Anagnina’ metro station and from there caught the train to Roma Termini station. I preferred to catch public transport and not to stay in the city. I would not advise anyone to drive there unless they have had several years experience driving in Europe.
The hotel is not too far from Ciampino Airport, which offers a shuttle bus for 1.20 Euro p/p + 1.20 Euro for large luggage to Anagnina metro station.
From Leonardo Da Vinci airport simply catch the Leonardo express to Roma termini station (14 euro) and then Line A to the end (Anagnina).

Before we arrived at the hotel our taxi driver got completely lost and had to phone for help with directions - so the hotel could be better signposted. When we arrived at the hotel the first face we saw was an incredibly miserable young woman on the desk, but fortunately the manager arrived and he was wonderfully happy and helpful. Our room was lovely, especially for the price, the only problem being that the "double" bed was actually two singles pushed together, which did make it somewhat uncomfortable. Also, the metal shutters over the door did make us feel a little uneasy about where we were staying, as well as feeling as if we were in a prison. The room & beds were big and comfortable, the minibar & safe were an added perk.
We were worried that travel into the centre of Rome; however it is really simple, as there is a bus that takes you directly to the metro, which then goes to the termini, and tickets can be purchased at reception, and are only one euro one way.
We ate one night at the hotel restaurant, which was expensive, like everything in Rome, but the food was delicious and the staff were so lovely.
The main problem was the pool was never open, and do not believe the pictures - it does not look so nice in reality, but obviously this was not an issue to us as we stayed here in November!
Overall a pleasant stay, the area is made out to feel dangerous but we had no problem, except one night where a group of students wandered in and sat in the lobby shouting until 3am. Easy for tourists, and for the price, it's a real gem!