The Place
The area around Rome’s Termini train station is scruffy, but Via Vicenza is a once-elegant street lined with mellow old villas set in attractive gardens. Despite the presence of a few shady-looking characters, the location of Villa delle Rose is convenient for those who arrive in Rome by train. The warmth and enthusiasm of the Filippo family give it a friendly atmosphere and, ambitious for their hotel, they are continually improving its comfort and style. The bar-sitting room is surprisingly grand, with marbled columns, elaborate plasterwork and a frescoed ceiling. The basement breakfast room is somewhat stark, but is due to be updated this year, and serves a better-than-average buffet.
Recent improvements have brought two of the 37 rooms up to a much higher standard (Nos 110 and 111). More luxurious than the rest, they have green carpet, padded headboards and matching covers, large sofas and modern desks. The new bathrooms are tiled in co-ordinating colours. The other bedrooms vary (some have balconies), but they, their bathrooms and the corridors all have a lingering Sixties decoration that cries out for updating: apparently this is planned to take place over the next year or two. The pretty garden is a welcome and unusual feature so close to the station.