I am usually a finicky Marriott guy who only wants a smoke free and clean hotel with free arrival gift and being treate like a Kaiser or a Sultan anywhere I travel. But I got adventurous this time when I arrived in Rome with no reservation, partly due to my busy work schedule that didn't allow me to do much research before my trip. When I arrived in Rome, I found that the Marriott in the center of the city was very expensive, while the "reasonably priced" Courtyard Hotel was 1.5 hr away from the city center by public transportation (wasting valuable time and risking being picked pocket by the Gypsy) or by tax (risk being ripped off by the Roman taxi drivers). I was lucky enough to meet Isabella at the right place at the right time, who recommend that I stay at her small hotel at the heart of Roma. Like in the "God Father" movies, they offered me "a deal you can't refuse". So I said "forget Marriott, I will stay in your place" thinking that being a single guy traveling alone this time I can't justify spending $$$$ a night at the Marriott. Her husband Lorenzo doesn't do sculptures like that Renaissance man Lorenzo Ghiberti, but he is a great guy and a hospitable host, who is eager to point you to the right direction when you need sightseeing informations. All things considered, and with my flexible and open-minded attitude being a seasoned American traveler, I feel the whole lodging experience is very nice by European standard for the money I spent, and I think they deserve a 5-star rating. In a city that's geared to make as much money out of tourists as possible, meeting a hotel owner like Lorenzo is a refreshing and positive experience.
- Downtown Accomodation Rome
- Downtown Accomodation Hotel Rome
