King Hotel, Rome

...and a basket of Hotel King toiletries, including shower gel, shampoo and conditioner, soap, and shower cap, plus a handy repair kit, condoms and toothpicks! We stayed for 2 nights, and the basket was refilled for us, which was lovely because although we had brought our own toiletries, it's always nice to take home a little souvenir!

The rooms were very tastefully decorated, with lovely voile drapes across the windows - there were also ...
...is

Hotel King ***
Via Sistina
131-00187
Roma
Italia

Telephone: +39 06 4880878
Fax: +39 06 42011388

For families, they offer such services as babysitting, and there is lots of information on the family-friendly qualities of the establishment on the website, though as we didn't need them, I don't feel I can comment. However we did see a number of happy families who seemed ... more

A couple of years ago I was lucky enough to head out to Rome for a 3 day break with family. Flying Easyjet from Newcastle very early in the morning, we arrived in a warm and sunny Ciampino Airport we could barely believe that the dark and cold December day we had left behind in Newcastle was still the same day in sunny Rome.

My Aunty P, who is fluent in Italian, and lived for a long time in Rome, had arranged transport to our Hotel, The Hotel King, right in the heart of the city, and so we bundled ourselves into the large taxi cab, and off we went!

For me, it was something of an adventure, as neither myself or my mum, who was also with us, had been to Rome before. I have long been enchanted by the Italian language, and find it the only language I know to *feel* so nice being spoken - there's just a gorgeous sensation as the words roll over your tongue, and I don't think I know any other language where the actual words make me feel like that. Strange I know, but there you go.

We arrived at our hotel about half an hour later, and stood at the concierge desk to check in. The staff on duty were very polite, and spoke impeccable English, though they softened when they realised they were in the presence of a native speaker, and Aunty P had them sharing some joke in Italian that passed so fast we were all laughing without quite knowing what had been said. Knowing her, it would have been very funny though!

With check-in complete, we were handed our keys, given details of breakfast times, a map of the hotel, and a map of Rome which came in very handy on subsequent visits to the city by other members of the family! Then we trouped off to our rooms to have a quick bite to eat and a drink after our long trip to get there.

Two rooms had been booked, one for Aunty P, and the other for mum and I to share. They were very nice - en-suite, with a fabulous power shower, lovely white loo, bidet and sink, and a basket of Hotel King toiletries, including shower gel, shampoo and conditioner, soap, and shower cap, plus a handy repair kit, condoms and toothpicks! We stayed for 2 nights, and the basket was refilled for us, which was lovely because although we had brought our own toiletries, it's always nice to take home a little souvenir!

The rooms were very tastefully decorated, with lovely voile drapes across the windows - there were also roll down shutters which could come down even if the windows were open (which they were, despite the season, and we kept them that way for a cool breeze as it was very warm in comparison to the UK) - and heavy petrol blue coloured curtains in case we were cold (no chance!) There were bedside tables beside each bed, with a phone, alarm clock (how nice of them!) and a lovely lamp which could be adjusted for brightness.

The bed linen was wonderfully crisp, and the incredibly comfortable beds were made up expertly every morning after we left for breakfast. There were layers of sheets and blankets and quilts, rather than one heavy layer, which we found much more agreeable as it was strange being so warm after getting used to being chilly at night over here in England! The pillows were also good quality, and made of feathers, though I'm sure the hotel would put synthetic ones in their place if we were to have been allergic to them.

The rooms both had air conditioning, and we had all the usual mod-cons of TV, with satellite as well as terrestrial, a radio, a hairdryer, mini-bar, safety deposit box (which was in the wardrobe!), telephone and internet access (if we'd brought a laptop), as well as a concierge service.

I have to admit that after the sightseeing we did later that day, which I think I will review later, but which included Fontana di Trevi, St Peter's, The Pantheon, Campo del Fiore and Vespers (eek!) in the English College, where they train the Catholic Priests, I came back to the hotel weary and tired and slept like the dead in that wonderful bed!

Breakfast the next morning was a very continental affair. Don't book yourself into this hotel if you're looking for a home away from home, or a full English breakfast - despite being comfortable and beautifully well kept, it is not the place for English customs. It is definitely a case of "when in Rome", and this is never more apparent than at breakfast. Cake (yes cake) is apparently breakfast fare in Rome, along with brilliantly strong, fresh coffee, bread rolls and fruit preserves and fresh fruit. It was lovely, and such a nice change to not be presented with a plate swimming in grease! It was a self service affair, but the tables were laden with food and drink, and kept well stocked while we were in the dining room.

With 72 rooms, this is a big hotel, but it's tucked away on a tiny street that links the top of nearest main road to the Trevi Fountain with the road at the bottom of the Spanish Steps. I think. (If I have my geography right!) The street is called Via Sistina, and is brimful of little food shops, cafes, shoe and clothes shops and my favourite, a tiny little shop were a girl makes jewellery while you browse. I bought 5 little hand made nose studs from her, which I still have today and which remind me of my Italian adventures every time I wear them!

The other thing I loved about this hotel was the views from the windows - as well as roof top gardens which gave great views out over the city, we could lean out of our little balcony window and look over rooftops and down little streets and it was wonderful. It was the Rome that you don't see, the places where people live with their little balconies brimming over with plants and colourful washing. I took some great photographs that one day will end up as paintings I think!

When we were ready to check out, two days later, we found that the hotel had arranged our transport back to the airport and we were given business cards etc for any return visit we might make. The staff once again were incredibly polite and friendly, and so very helpful. I know for sure that the next time I am back in Rome, I will definitely stay here, as it was just so peaceful and so Roman, and it really made my stay feel authentic, and completely un-touristish!!!

For more information on Hotel King, go to: www.hotelkingroma.com

They have 72 rooms, single, double and one night for 2 people sharing a double room in October will cost around £140.00. If you're looking at, for example, July next year, the charge would be about £100.oo for the same 2 people, in the same double room for one night. The time of year will greatly dictate what you pay, as these things do tend to be seasonal, but whatever time you go, it's a great destination, with so much to do you'll never pack it all in and will be destined, as I am, to return again, and again, and again!

They are a three star hotel and their address is

Hotel King ***
Via Sistina
131-00187
Roma
Italia

Telephone: +39 06 4880878
Fax: +39 06 42011388

For families, they offer such services as babysitting, and there is lots of information on the family-friendly qualities of the establishment on the website, though as we didn't need them, I don't feel I can comment. However we did see a number of happy families who seemed to have been accomodated very well!

Thank you very much for reading this, and you'll have to look out for a review coming soon on my adventures in Rome, what we did, and the day I went off on the metro and managed NOT to get lost!!!!

Kate x
 

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