A group of five of us stayed here over the Easter weekend.

We had searched to find a good hotel at low prices and this hotel fits the bill.

An excellent location and only 10 mins walk from the vatican. Staff were friendly and breakfast was fantastic.

The rooms were large and the marble bathrooms were a good size as well.

All in all I would reccomend this hotel

Before I went to Rome I investigated central accommodation thoroughly. I found it very hard to find somewhere in the 3 star region that wasn’t too expensive. Relais Vaticano was one of the very few contenders. So I booked a suite for 80 euros a night which seemed reasonable to me and the location was superb, right by a metro stop and within walking distance of the Vatican.

We got there on Thurs evening and found the hotel ok from the Lepanto metro station. The reception was lovely but that is all it is, most rooms are on the second floor of the apartment block next door. That was fine as it was secure and nicely decorated inside. Just don’t expect 24 hour reception or the typical hotel experience.

Our suite was beautifully decorated with a large marble bathroom and even a balcony which we didn’t expect. Not much of a view tho! We loved our room but were disappointed that were was no champagne on arrival (as advertised) and that the jacuzzi bath’s jacuzzi function didn’t work. Still enjoyed the bath however.

Breakfast was very nice with good service in a smartly decorated room in the main area. Bright and with MTV playing on a LCD screen above you. Great way to start the day.

I spoke to some other people who were staying in one of the 5 rooms that are in another block, 5 streets away, and they were unhappy with their standard.

I’d recommend this hotel overall for price, comfort and location but be aware that it isnt a hotel in the traditional sense and that all that they advertise isnt necessarily there. We had a nice stay tho. I'd say this was worth the 3 stars.

My mum, sister and I arrived at the hotel at 7:30 on Saturday night - it was raining very heavily! We got soaked to the skin looking for the hotel, and when we found it the front door was locked and there was a sign pinned up saying ‘ring the bell or call this number’. We couldn't find the bell and nobody answered the phone, so we continued to bang on the door and stand in the rain! We could see that the reception was exactly as it had appeared in the photos on the website, but the top of the stairs was dark and appeared to be blocked with disused furniture.

After 20 minutes a man turned up, unlocked the front door and went inside - no apology, he just went behind the desk and asked for our passports. He proceeded to tell us that we would not be staying at that hotel and that he would drive us to another which was close by. By this time alarm bells were ringing! He took us out to his car and we loaded ourselves in, then he disappeared for 10 minutes! We were wet and extremely cold, so I went inside to find out what was happening. I didn't even have the opportunity to enquire, before he started screaming at me to get back in the car and wait for him! Shortly after he got into the car and shouted at us again. We told him we were cold and tired, and just wanted to get to our room. Eventually he finished and drove us to the hotel. The room was situated in one apartment of a block, so there was no reception area and breakfast was served directly outside of our bedroom door! Although the room was of an adequate standard, it was not the room which we had specifically booked as there was no jacuzzi bath, just a shower. We had deliberately chosen this hotel because of the facilities they offered because my mother is no longer able to use a shower and as the trip was a birthday present for her, we thought a jacuzzi bath would be perfect. When we expressed our displeasure in our room we were again screamed at and told if we didn't like it we should leave. We were told that we couldn't possibly have booked such a room as one does not exist. We explained that the rooms details were on the voucher which we had given him back at the reception, and eventually he stomped off saying he would check this voucher and return the following morning. As you may imagine, this was not a good start to our mini-break.

The following morning the man did return, offered a half hearted apology for the room mix up and told us to pack our stuff up and he would transfer our belongings to the original hotel and that we should return there that evening. We were concerned that we would never see our baggage again, and worried that there would be nobody at reception when we turned up that night, but our fears proved groundless and the remaining two nights at the hotel were enjoyable. Breakfast was lovely and the hotel was clean.

I am undecided about whether I would recommend this hotel. If you go with the knowledge that you'll be staying in an apartment block and not a traditional hotel, and if you're not too worried about potentially unpleasant staff then the hotel represents good value.

Found it was a bit unusual as when we arrived at reception we were transported to another apartment block by the hotels driver It was only a few streets away and it was more central than the hotel reception The rooms were basic but clean everyone was very pleasant to us including the driver who had reasonable english.Ifound it very central as 10 mins one way was the vatican and 10 mins walk the other way was piazza del popolo The other direction was 10 mins walk to piazza navona where there is plenty of eating places. we were also on a main shopping street Breakfast was typically continental and the girl serving it had little english but was attentive and the rooms cleaned and towels changed daily so all in all I thought it was good value for money