St. Peter Fortytwo

Hotel Description

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much when I first walked up to St. Peter Fortytwo – the name alone had me scratching my head. But this little 4-star gem tucked away on Via Germanico completely changed my perspective on staying near the Vatican. You know what struck me first? The street itself is actually quiet, which is sort of miraculous when you’re literally a ten-minute walk from St. Peter’s Basilica. I mean, you’re in the Prati neighborhood, so you get that authentic Roman residential vibe without the tourist chaos that hits you once you cross into Vatican territory.

The hotel itself feels like someone’s stylish Roman apartment that just happens to rent rooms – and I mean that in the best possible way. The lobby has this understated elegance that doesn’t try too hard, with marble floors that echo just enough to remind you you’re in Rome, but not so much that it feels cold. What really sold me was the staff’s genuine helpfulness. When I mentioned I wanted to hit the Vatican Museums early (pro tip: do this), they actually walked me through the best route to avoid the crowds and told me about a little café on Via Cola di Rienzo where locals grab their morning cornetto. That kind of insider knowledge? You can’t fake that.

The rooms are what you’d expect from a solid 4-star – clean, comfortable, with enough space that you’re not bumping into your suitcase every time you turn around. The air conditioning actually works (crucial for Roman summers), and the beds are firm in that European way that somehow leaves you feeling more rested than those soft American mattresses. Here’s what I loved though: the windows in my room faced the courtyard, so even though we’re in the heart of Rome, it was genuinely peaceful at night. No scooters revving at 2 AM, no late-night revelers stumbling home. Just… quiet.

Location-wise, you’re perfectly positioned between Vatican City and the real Rome. Walk five minutes toward the river and you’re at Castel Sant’Angelo. Walk ten minutes the other way and you’re on Via Cola di Rienzo, which honestly has better shopping and restaurants than most of the touristy areas. There’s this fantastic little trattoria called Da Enzo that’s maybe three blocks away – the kind of place where the menu changes based on what’s fresh and the owner remembers your wine preference. The metro stop at Lepanto is close enough to be convenient but far enough that you’re not dealing with the constant stream of tourists.

What really impressed me was how the hotel manages to feel both professional and personal. The concierge knows the neighborhood like the back of his hand, but he’s not pushy about it. Need restaurant recommendations? He’s got three options based on your budget. Want to know the best time to visit the Sistine Chapel? He’ll tell you exactly when the tour groups thin out. It’s that 9.4 rating in action – not flashy, just consistently good at what matters. If you want to experience Rome like you actually live here, rather than just passing through, this is your spot.

Rooms

• Quadruple Room with 2 extra-large double beds, or and 4 single beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• Triple Room with 1 single bed, 1 extra-large double bed, or and 3 single beds for 3 adults, 2 children
• Double or Twin Room with 2 × 2 single beds, 1 extra-large double bed and or for 2 adults, 1 child

Reviews

• Mikael from Sweden (10/10)

  Good location and very close to the Vatican. The place was clean and had a very comfortable bed. Everything went smooth with the check in/out.

• Mary from United Kingdom (10/10)

  Excellent location, lovely interior and decoration. Very clean. Great value for money.

• Carol from Singapore (10/10)

  Location, facilities and hospitality was perfect. Cynthia was the perfect host. Highly recommended !

• Haygood from United States (10/10)

  Nice location, felt safe. Felt like staying at someone’s home rather than a hotel

• Ioannis from Greece (10/10)

  The location is great. The Vatican museums are 3 minutes walking distance. There is a metro station just 2' away with stops to Termini, Pz d. Popolo, Pz d. Spagna. Walking to the center takes about 25 minutes. The rooms are cozy and very clean. The hostess (Cynthia) was very helpful. Lots of stuff to do around if you want to avoid the masses of the city center.

• Tracy from United States (10/10)

• David from United States (9/10)

  Room was very nice. Owners were extremely nice and accomodating.

• Kate from United States (10/10)

  Great location and friendly ownership. Room was large, updated, and had everything we could need and more! The value for money on this property is worth wild!

• Ioanna from Greece (10/10)

  Ideal location,warm hospitality,very clean

• David from United States (10/10)

  The owners very pleasant. the size of the room was exceptional. A room within the room worked out extremely well. It was very private.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities