We visited the Farnesia Hotel and had a wonderful short break to Rome. The hotel was very comfortable, clean and warm. The hotel staff were helpful and friendly. There was a good continental breakfast available in the roof top restaurant. We used the limousine service to and from the airport. The cost was 70 euros as there were four of us travelling. This seemed a little expensive but the driver was courteous and punctual. It certainly saved a lot of hassle. We used the tram and buses to get around the City. The No 2 tram was ideal to take you into the City to the Plazza del Popola. We also used the No 32 bus to the Vatican and the 271 to the Colesseum. We paid 11 euros each for the bus/tram/metro ticket for 3 days. This was excellent value. We pre-booked a guide to take us around the Vatican City and this was a really worthwhile experience. The hotel is about 20 minutes out of Rome City Centre. We ate at a restaurant recommended by the hotel and had two excellent meals served by delightful people. The break involved lots of walking and was a very pleasant stay all round.

We stayed in the hotel in November 2004. We had some difficulty finding the hotel after an adventure on public transport from the airport, a taxi from the city centre might be best for the initial trip. The room was a reasonable size and very clean. The area is a little off the beaten track but this makes it quiet at night. We felt safe throughout our stay. Breakfast was ok, not great, not bad, typically continental. The staff were helpful and we were able to leave our cases in the hotel during our final day after we had checked out.
There were a few local bars which were very reasonably priced compared with the city centre. One by the Milvio bridge provided snacks (practically meals!) free of charge with your drinks - great if you are on a budget!
Rome has good public transport, mainly trams and buses. We would walk 5 minutes across the Milvio Bridge each morning and catch a tram into the centre from where we would explore by foot. For us the morning journey in and evening return were part of the experience but if you are less mobile go for a location closer to the city centre. It would take about 25 minutes from leaving the hotel on foot to arriving in the heart of the city. This is great if you want to spend all day and the evening enjoying this fantastic city as we did. If you want to spend time in the hotel or go back to a base during the day another location would be better.

Overall we were very happy with the hotel; safe, clean and good value but we would probably stay in a different area next time, closer to the centre. There would be a price to pay of course. This hotel is a good compromise.

Just returned from a fantastic trip to Rome. Can highly recommend the Hotel Farnesina at Ponte Milivio. We had booked the hotel's limousine service which cost 55 Euros one way from Ciampino airport. The driver was there to meet us when we got off the plane despite a 45 minute delay from Glasgow. The journey only took 30 minutes.

On arrival at the hotel the staff were very friendly and helpful. There was no language barrier and the check-in was quick. The room was very clean and modern, very boutique style. Facilities were excellent, air-conditioning, telephone, mini-bar, TV, and hairdryer, power shower, nice clean fluffy white towels. The view from the room was of the church which is a landmark in the area. Breakfast was served from 7.30am-9.30am and was the usual continental style. However one bonus was the delicious cafe lattes and the view from the rooftop terrace.

The area surrounding the hotel was lovely. Lots of great restaurants, bars and ice-cream shops. Plenty of authentic Italian atmosphere.
Getting into the centre of Rome was no problem either. Get a ticket from the local newstands for the bus/metro it costs 1 Euro and this lasts for 75 minutes. Catch a No 32 bus the last stop takes you straight to the Vatican or get off at Ottaviano which is the nearest metro station from there you catch the underground train to Spagna (three stops down from Ottaviano) which lets you off near the Spanish steps or go on further to Barberini (four stops from Ottaviano) which is near the Trevi Fountain and Via Veneto for the Hard Rock Cafe. All the major sites are of walking distance once you are in the centre. Must say the Vatican was the highlight of our first trip to Rome. You must see the Basilica, Sistine Chapel and climb to the top of the Cupola (Vatican Dome) the view is awesome. However you must be quite fit even if you do take the lift up part of it. The open top bus tour is great value at 26 Euros they even stop at the Bocca Della Verita (mouth of truth) made famous in the film Roman holiday with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck which is a must too!

Not impressed. Their web site says 'minutes' from St Peters, but we found it took a 5 min walk to the bus stop, a 10 min wait for bus, a 15 min bus ride, a 10 min walk to St Peters. Not exactly as close as it sounds!

Also, we arrived back late one night, to find the maid had left our door open (not just unlocked, but open!) all day. The receptionist on duty was far from apologetic and didn't seem at all concerned. We alerted a different receptionist in the morning, who at least apologised.

Finally, we'd booked a twin room, but on arrival were presented with a double. We had to rearrange the room ourselves after the surly receptionist had given us the sheets.

We felt let down by the whole experience...