When In Rome!
Italy
Feb 2018
Rating: 8/10
My trip to Rome was one met with rigorous excitement! Even though the weather got in the way a little bit it in no way put a dampener on the sights we saw, and I would recommend this trip to anyone wanting a quick exploring city break! Yes it rained and snowed but the snow only added to the beauty of the scenery.
We stayed at the stunning Hotel Eden, a beautifully crafted true Roman inspired piece of architecture. With marble pillars, floors and iron touches it really has a high element of class and luxury. The Hotel Eden is perfectly situated 5 minutes walk away from the Spanish Steps, 15 minutes from the Trevi Fountain and literally right next to the Villa Borghese; which means you will in the heart of most iconic sights Rome has to offer and you will not be far from all the action.
If you have always wanted to see the Colosseum then you are in for a treat as the hotel is only 20 minutes from there too, so you can view the stunning sights on your way there!
The Hotel Eden boasts 98 rooms 30 of which are suites and have interconnecting for all categories which is a great option for families. The spa and gym are also very impressive and luxurious with options for both men and women, the spa focuses on you and really makes you feel great! They have limited people in there at any one time, so you have their undivided attention! The roof top terrace also has an amazing view of the city of Rome. All the rooms we saw were bright, airy and all had a different layout. I would recommend rooms from the 3rd floor as you can still see great views over the city.
From the Hotel Eden we also visited the famous De Russie Hotel. There is a beautiful walk along the Via Sistina to the top of the Spanish Steps from here, down to the Piazza Di Spagna and along the Via Del Babuino towards Piazza Del Pololo. If that all sounds too much to remember the concierge services have great maps too! We also walked around the Via Condotti which is Rome’s version of Bond street with high end shops perfect for a splash of cash! Even though our walking tour was cut short because of the cold, we still got to see most of the incredible monuments and sights. In keeping with tradition I threw a coin over my left shoulder with my right hand into the Trevi Fountain to guarantee I go back to Rome one day. The Vittorio Emanuele II Monument also known as “The Wedding Cake”, the Roman Forum and Julius Caesar’s statue were all very impressive!
The Hotel De Russie is located just down from the Spanish Steps with 121 rooms; 20 of which are interconnecting again making it a perfect hotel for families which can also be guaranteed at time of booking. The stunning gardens can be viewed from most rooms except the junior suites. The Stravinsky Bar was very impressive especially outside. I can only imagine what it fully looks like in spring through to summer and the autumn! The architecture of the surrounding steps with the cascading ivy and tall trees it will be a stunning sight! A true oasis in the heart of Rome.
After our walk we had dinner at the De Russie in their Ristorante Le Jardin de Russie. We had a meze of starters, followed by the chef’s signature ravioli dish and for the main course I had Wagyu Beef which just melted in your mouth. For desert we had a selection of the chef’s favourites. I must say was the best food I think I have ever had. It was stunning, cooked and presented perfectly.
Our first try to go the Vatican unfortunately was put off due to the weather, Rome came to a standstill because of the snow and cold. It was the coldest it had been 1986 and due to safety reasons, it was initially closed.
Our third hotel we visited was the Baglioni Regina. This hotel is also in a great location and close within a 10 minute walking distance to most of the landmarks. The rooms here were lovely but I would say this hotel, even though great for families with interconnecting rooms is quite dark. From the outside the Hotel Baglioni is very impressive and imposing and will leave a lasting impression. The penthouse suite has the most incredible views over Rome’s rooftops and we were also really impressed with the food here.
On our last day we got up early and got the metro (which was incredibly easy!) to the Vatican where today we managed to get a 2-and-a-half-hour tour which unfortunately was cut short of the 4 hours we were supposed to have. Due to the weather some parts were closed but from what we did get to see though… wow! I would recommend the full 4 hours to get a good look around this beautiful place.
From there we made our way back to St Peters square and finished off our day at the Spanish steps before having to make our way to the airport. This was an incredible trip that I would recommend to anyone wanting a interesting city break. With everything so close within walking distance or easily accessible on the metro there’s no excuse not to get out and explore what this amazing city has to offer! If you would like to know more then please get in contact with me on 01438 716 200 or email any questions to natalie@offbroadwaytravel.com. I will look forward to hearing from you!