Mercure Roma Corso Trieste - Rome, Italy     

I booked this for 3 nights over a weekend in July 2008. Price came out at ?207 total, which was just under ?170 with the current bad exchange rate. The hotel room was clean, had thick curtains to keep the light out, and a larger than expected bathroom. Water pressure for the shower was excellent (we were on the third floor). Extra pillows were available without question and bedding made up as expected. Air conditioning was good too. Front desk staff were very helpful and spoke English well. We didn't eat at the hotel so can't comment on the breakfast facilities. The lobby area was clean. The hotel worked out about half the price of similar style hotels in the city centre. Over the 3 nights we used a cab twice (both times about ?12-?13 - although once was from the station which included a ?2 charge. We used the metro at Bologna, it is a 15 minute walk (relatively easy to find though), but we knew this so can't knock it! I find it harsh that hotels are often criticised for location when it is relatively simple just to check a map before booking! There are some very nice restuarants close by, where we ate some of the best food of the weekend. Certainly a more local feel than the restaurants say in Piazza Novonna (sp), and at about 50% - 75% of the price of the main tourist areas.

Clean and comfortable hotel, friendly staff, room was lovely, especially liked the bathroom, and the firm bed. Only small downside was the location, but it was a lovely, if long walk into the centre of Rome, along orange-tree lined streets. However, the buses left from five minutes away, at Via Nomentana, and you could get tickets at the shops on the way. Try the breakfast in bed option, it's a lovely start to the day, with fruit, yoghurt, coffee and pastries, etc. Just one down side was that the bar seemed a little expensive.. Not to be missed is the Pepe Verde restaurant, around the corner from the hotel, recommended by the receptionist, it had wood-fired pizza oven, and was used by all the locals.