stayed here for final 4 nights of a tour around Italy.
we used it as a base to go into Rome city on 2 days. 4 euros each to use metro and all public transport in Rome. 30 minutes on metro to centre. we walked to metro as its nice along promenade and also got the local bus - 5 minutes from the corner of the hotel. hotel is fantastic with an amazing roof terrace - see the hotel pictures. however, it appears set up as a bar area, with indoor and outdoor seating but it is outdoor only and the bar is on the ground floor. the staff were surprised we wanted our drinks up there ! Which we found bizare, as there is no other bar area, and it was boiling hot. it is a shame the terrace is not set up better for use as a bar as it is truly georgeous. rooms are great and quiet - very moderm. food excellent and as good value as any other local restaurant. we had rissotto in lobster sauce - which arrived on our table with a whole lobster! for 15 euros each. very knowledgable and accomodating maitre de - recommendations good. seems not to be a tourist area - busy with locals at weekend but most restaurants were shut on weekday evenings and it was late may!

After reading all of the reviews, we were very skeptical about this hotel. We stayed at the Aran Blu for one night after a 12 day cruise, just to relax. We had a 6:45 am flight the next morning. I booked through Expedia one year earlier. We arrived at 10:00 am and were told that our room would be ready shortly. We were then invited to sit in the dining area and enjoy the breakfast buffet for free. Another girl asked us if we would like a coffee. We said "yes, Cafe Americano" and she dissappeared for a few minutes and returned with 2 coffees at no charge. They even changed the TV to an American channel for us without us even asking. The 3 girls working there spoke very little English and I don't think they see many Americans. The rooms was ready in about 30 minutes.

The room was nice especially because of the ocean view from the balcony. The bathroom was also very nice and modern. The bed could have been softer, but again, this is Italy!

The area was all residential apartment buildings along the coast line. It was very quiet and there are several shops and restaurants at the marina. They close for a long siesta and then again at 7:30 pm. There is a McDonald's there open later though. We don't normally ever eat there, but it was the only thing open. We got fried Brie Cheese and a Hot Fudge Sundae. Where else can you get that but in Europe?

If you are looking for a place to stay with alot to do, I wouldn't recommend this hotel. But if you are looking for a quiet place to relax. This is it!

* We booked another hotel for our last night in Italy. They didn't have internet availability in the rooms. I drove to Aran Blu and inquired as to availability, internet access and price. All was OK except internet was available in room by cable, no wi-fi. My netbook is wi-fi only. The front desk recommended a room over the public area where wi-fi is available. It worked great, problem solved.
* The rooms are spartan/modern. Small TV, large bathroom. Shower worked fine, good water pressure.
* Regarding finding the hotel. It's clearly marked on google earth, and having a GPS will help immensely. Actually, I thought the location was excellent. Close to restaurants and an easy quick way to get to FCO.
* I recommend the hotel as an airport hotel, not as a base to visit Rome. There are a number of restaurants within a 10 minute walk. The area is fine for an evening stroll.
* It takes about 20-25 minutes to drive from the hotel to FCO. Car rental return is in parking deck B. If you are flying out of Italy on Delta, American, United, Continental, or El Al. You have to get from the car return to terminal 5. Plan on 45 minutes from the parking deck. You have to get to the C concourse and take the free bus to terminal 5. Allow plenty of time.

Another supposed 4-star hotel. (Who decides these things?) Damn hard to find – of course that we approached it from Fiumincino (FCO) didn't help, but the public bus (CATREL) from FCO - or rather buying tickets for it - proved a challenge. Hint: You buy them in the terminal at the tobacconists – there's no sign - and they cost 1.20E one way. That gets you into Ostia (to where we should have taken the train in the first place). Go to the end of the line – to the Ostia train station – and then take the #01 bus – wait – buy a ticket first, at the booth – and when you see the beach and a sign that has in it “Abruzzi” get the hell off! Because otherwise, you'll just keep going round in circles – really! Look to your right as you're facing the ocean and you'll see the hotel.

Now for the hotel: Clean, smartly - if sparsely - furnished with lots of marble. The room was small, but had a view of the ocean, The bath – complete with bidet, of course, was probably the best we encountered on our trip. The staff was helpful when we had problems with the electronic key and then the lights. No wifi(!) wired-in only, and 2E for 60 minutes. It's seemingly little things like that that take the shine off an otherwise nice spot. That – and the breakfast which, of the 7 hotels we stayed in in 3 weeks, ranked 6th. Their 10E shuttle to FCO takes 20 minutes.