Casa a San Giovanni

Hotel Description

You know what surprised me most about Casa a San Giovanni? It’s tucked away on this quiet side street in Monti, but you’re literally a five-minute walk from the Colosseum. I mean, Via dell’Amba Aradam isn’t exactly a name that rolls off the tongue, but once you find it, you’ll understand why this little 4-star gem has an 8.9 rating.

The thing about Monti is that it’s Rome’s oldest neighborhood – honestly, it feels like you’re staying in someone’s stylish apartment rather than a hotel. Casa a San Giovanni gets this perfectly. The building has that authentic Roman character (thick walls, thank god, because Rome can get loud), but they’ve done the interiors with this understated elegance that doesn’t try too hard. The rooms actually feel spacious, which is saying something for Rome, and the bathrooms are properly modern without being sterile. What I really appreciated was the attention to small details – decent water pressure, blackout curtains that actually work, and air conditioning that doesn’t sound like a jet engine.

The location is honestly brilliant if you want to experience Rome like a local. You’re right in the heart of Monti, which means you’ve got these tiny wine bars and family-run trattorias practically on your doorstep. There’s this little bakery around the corner that opens at 6 AM – perfect for grabbing cornetti before the tourist crowds hit the major sites. And speaking of sites, while everyone talks about being “close to the Colosseum,” what they don’t mention is that you’re also walking distance to San Giovanni in Laterano (hence the name, I suppose), which is actually Rome’s cathedral but somehow gets overlooked by most visitors. The staff clearly knows their neighborhood well – they pointed me toward this incredible little church, Santa Maria ai Monti, that I never would have found otherwise.

Parking is tricky, as it is everywhere in central Rome, but they’ll help you figure out the nearest garage. The breakfast situation is solid – nothing fancy, but proper coffee and fresh pastries, which is really all you need before spending the day wandering around ancient ruins. Check-in was smooth, even when I arrived earlier than expected on a Sunday afternoon. The front desk folks speak excellent English, but they also seem genuinely excited to share recommendations rather than just handing you the standard tourist map. One thing to note – the elevator is one of those tiny European ones, so if you’re traveling with massive suitcases, be prepared for some maneuvering. But honestly, that’s part of the charm of staying in a real Roman neighborhood rather than some generic hotel district. This place gets that balance right between authentic local experience and actual comfort.

Rooms

• Apartment with 5 × 1 bunk bed, 6 × 1 large double bed, 2 × 4, 2 × 5, sofa bed and 1 sofa bed for 16 adults

Reviews

• Tomaž from Slovenia (10/10)

  Great location, clean appartment.

• Anna from Poland (10/10)

  Paolo is a wonderful host! He welcomed us with a delicious cake and was always ready to help whenever we needed anything. The apartment is clean, very well maintained, and fully equipped with everything you might need during your stay. We were a group of 5 couples and had more than enough space for everyone, every couple had its own bedroom. Highly recommended!

• Hugo from Brazil (10/10)

  Paolo was very kind and gave is all the support, I mean a city map, restaurant suggestions, our first day breakfast, shown us the best way to get to the Coliseum, bus lines and subway stations near the apartment. The facilities are great, supports 16 people group with comfort.

• Sara from Italy (8/10)

  The position of this flat is very good (just some minutes walk from the train station) and its potential to host many people makes it absolutely special, in particular to big groups. In spite of its central position it is very silent. The host is also very kind. We will come back!

• Kat from Australia (9/10)

  Very clean and comfortable. Rooms were spacious and beds were comfortable and tidy.
  Host Paolo was kind and responsive. He came to meet us and guided us of the place, checked on us every now and then. Easy access to the centre and public transport. There are also nearby grocery stores. There are some condiments in the kitchen left for guests use. Host also left us cookies and croissants, what a great gesture! 😊
  
  We also left some items and Paolo kindly sent it back to our address for no additional cost. Thank you so much!! ❤️

• Miriam from Poland (10/10)

  The apartment is ideal for a larger number of people. Another plus is that there are 3 bathrooms, so there are no queues. The apartment was clean and neat. Sensational contact with the host of the property, he was nice and helpful.

• Rosemarie from United States (10/10)

  This apartment was perfect for our family of 13 – everyone had a bed and there are 3 bathrooms which worked great for our group. Paolo is an amazing host who helped us with transportation and early arrival. We stayed twice during our European trip and I would highly recommend this apartment for families.

• Bijuraj from Germany (9/10)

  Excellent for large family groups. 4 Bedrooms, kid room , Hall & Kitchen. Lot of space. Paolo Was a great Host.

• Cheryl from United States (9/10)

  Owner check on us on a daily basis to make sure everything was okay and if he could accommodate us in any way. Highly recommend this apartment for a large family.

• Victoria from United States (10/10)

  The owner, Paulo, met us early in the morning so we could leave our luggage which was very convenient. He walked through the apartment in person and gave us a map with several important things marked like the closest grocery store, restaurants and landmarks. Paulo checked on us each day. The apartment itself was very comfortable and spacious for our group of 10.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities