My husband and I and two friends stayed at the Espana for two days before heading out on a cruise and one more day when we returned. We found the staff friendly and helpful. The rooms vary in size from small to midsize but as we didn't come to Rome to spend too much time in our rooms they worked out well. The roooms were clean, the water hot and the airconditioning worked. Since the Espana is an old house they don't have an elevator so be prepared to haul your suitcases up the stairs ( that's why we bring husbands along ) A continental breakfast was served on an enclosed patio and in the afternoon when it wasn't being used the staff was quite happy to let us use it to visit and relax. We found a number of sidewalk cafes and coffee shops as well as a grocery store that were all close by. We did lots of walking and felt that the area was very safe.

The hotel is very nice,clean,quiet(good neighborhood,very safe),near the Manzoni metro station and ten min.away from the Colosseum(on foot),big supermarket around the corner!
Our room was very small,but basic,with TV,conditioner,not on the sunny side!They say that rooms have safe deposit box,and it's true,only they are broken,so you can't use them:(
The other fault of the hotel is that it doesn't have a lift and you could have problems with heavy luggage and after the long day sight-seeing!
Breakfast is o.k.-cold buffet and same every day.
All in all it is good value for the money and I think you won't regret staying in it!

Good location ( 500m from Manzoni metro station, walking distance from Colliseum, S. Giovani Laterano, quiet street, supermarket on corner). Rooms clean, bathroom size OK, rooms need repainting.
Breakfast good (cold buffet). Only negative point- no lift and steep steps, so you could have problems with carrying heavy luggage to 2-nd floor.

My spouse and I stayed in this hotel for 5 nights in December. We were very happy with its location ( close to a metro station) as we organized our days in Rome independently. The hotel is not located on a busy main street, which is definitely a major advantage. However, it is close enough to the main street and you can easily find places to eat. The rooms are not big but comfortable and clean. The staff are friendly and helpful and the breakfast is very good. The only disadvantage we saw was the lack of an elevator ( so you should climb stairs all the time); however if you do not have health problems that's not a big deal. We strongly recommend this city hotel for a pleasant stay in Rome.