Hotel Nazionale

Hotel Description

You know what? I walked past Hotel Nazionale probably a dozen times before I actually stayed there, and honestly, I wish I’d booked it sooner. The thing is, when you’re standing in Piazza Montecitorio – literally right outside the Italian Parliament building – you sort of expect everything to be touristy and overpriced. But this place actually gets it right. The entrance is understated in that perfectly Roman way, tucked into a 19th-century palazzo that doesn’t scream “hotel” from the street. I mean, you’re basically sleeping where politicians and journalists have been making deals for decades, which is either fascinating or slightly unsettling, depending on your worldview.

The rooms have this lived-in elegance that feels authentic rather than stuffy – think polished marble floors that have seen some history, but with modern bathrooms that actually work (trust me, this matters in Rome). What really sold me was stepping out the front door and realizing you’re a three-minute walk from the Pantheon, but on a side street that doesn’t get the same crushing crowds. The staff clearly knows their neighborhood; they sent me to this tiny wine bar on Via del Corso that I never would’ve found otherwise, and when I mentioned I needed to catch an early train, they arranged a taxi for 6 AM without making it feel like a huge favor. The breakfast situation is solid – nothing revolutionary, but proper espresso and fresh cornetti, plus they actually keep the juice cold, which sounds basic but you’d be surprised how many places mess this up.

Here’s the thing about staying right in the Pantheon area – yes, it gets busy during the day, but by 8 PM it’s surprisingly quiet since most tour groups head back to their hotels near Termini. The double-glazed windows do their job, though honestly, the neighborhood settles down enough that street noise isn’t really an issue. I loved being able to walk to Trastevere for dinner (maybe 15 minutes across the river) or pop over to Campo de’ Fiori for morning coffee without dealing with metro connections. The concierge – an older gentleman who’s clearly been there forever – gave me directions to places that weren’t in my guidebook, including a gelateria that locals actually use and a shortcut to the Spanish Steps that avoids the main tourist crush. Is it perfect? Well, the elevator is charmingly vintage (translation: small and slow), and the WiFi gets a bit spotty on the upper floors, but honestly, when you’re staying in a palazzo that’s older than most countries, you make peace with these quirks. For the location and the genuine Roman atmosphere, it’s worth every euro.

Rooms

• Classic Double or Twin Room with 1 large double bed, or and 2 single beds for 2 adults
• Executive Double or Twin Room with 1 extra-large double bed, 2 × 1 sofa bed, or and 2 single beds for 3 adults
• Classic Single Room with 1 single bed for 1 adult
• Suite with Terrace with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed and 2 × 2 single beds for 4 adults, 1 child
• Economy Double Room with 1 double bed for 2 adults
• Superior Double Room with 1 large double bed for 2 adults
• Deluxe Double Room with 1 sofa bed, or and 2 single beds for 2 adults, 1 child
• Superior Triple Room with 1 sofa bed and 1 large double bed for 3 adults
• Deluxe Triple Room with 1 sofa bed and 1 large double bed for 3 adults, 2 children

Reviews

• Natalia from Greece (9/10)

  This is, I think, the 5th time we are coming here and we will always return and rate this hotel with a 10, despite there being some room for improvement. Because not only the location is prefect, without being suffocating for lack of space as other areas in the centro storico; not only are the rooms very clean and, when one chooses the higher categories of rooms, they are huge and with great view; not only the mattress and the pillows are just what one needs, but above all the personnel is impeccable, very professional in the “old school” way, something that one no longer finds easily in hotels today. Clients here are lucky to be welcomed by such a reception. It was not the case in much more expensive hotels we have been to elsewhere in Europe.

• Vivienne from United Kingdom (9/10)

  Location great. Quiet area. Lovely staff and very comfortable room

• Vincent from France (8/10)

  The service was superb.
  Bar menu was very nice

• Stefan from Romania (8/10)

  Very clean and amazing staff

• Anna from United Kingdom (9/10)

  Great location in the middle of everything.

• Bruce from United States (9/10)

  Great location to walk to most top Rome attractions. Very secure as the Parliament is next door. Nice sized rooms, and quiet.

• Rachel from United Kingdom (9/10)

  Welcoming- staff attentive- in easy reach of everything

• Jiewen from United Kingdom (8/10)

  Location is great and staff are friendly.

• Fiona from United Kingdom (9/10)

  A lovely hotel in the perfect location, a short walk to the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon, this hotel is ideal if you haven't visited Rome before and you want to stay close by some of the top Tourist attractions in the city. The breakfast is superb, lots of choice from Italian/Continental to scrambled eggs and bacon. We had a lovely spacious room, good sized bathroom, soft towels and comfortable beds.
  Customer service was excellent at the Nazionale, Reception staff were very helpful and their dining room and housekeeping colleagues very friendly. Highly recommended.

• I from United Kingdom (9/10)

  Excellent location, onto a square with no traffic. Lovely rooms and attentive staff.
  Good breakfast

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities