G-Rough

G-Rough, Rome: A Comprehensive Review of Michelin Key Selected Luxury

G-Rough, a Michelin Key Selected property in the heart of Rome, offers a distinctive "unconventional luxury" experience, blending a 17th-century palazzo's grandeur with a unique "buffed and scuffed" aesthetic featuring Italian mid-century modern design. This boutique hotel, with its ten individually designed suites, consistently receives high praise for its prime location, exceptional service, and striking artistic design.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

G-Rough garners an overwhelmingly positive sentiment, frequently described as "fantastic," "amazing," and a "true gem" by guests. Review scores are consistently high, with an overall rating of 8.5/10 from 98 reviews and a "Very good" rating. On Tablet Hotels, it boasts an impressive 18.9/20 based on 48 verified stays. Guests often express a desire to return, highlighting the hotel's ability to offer a memorable and unique stay.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud G-Rough for several standout features:

• Design & Ambiance: The hotel's design is a major draw, praised for its "top class" and "fabulous" blend of Roman baroque and retro glamour from Cinecittà. The "uniquely unfinished walls and surfaces" revealing layers of frescoes, coupled with carefully chosen 20th-century Italian furniture, create a "warm, eccentric vibe." The "cool bar downstairs" and "well designed rooms and common spaces" also contribute to its allure.
• Location: The "excellent" and "amazing" central location is a recurring highlight, with major attractions like Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, and the Trevi Fountain within easy walking distance.
• Service: The staff consistently receives high praise for being "friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable." They are noted for their personalized service and genuine interest in guests' well-being.
• Amenities: While a smaller boutique hotel, in-room amenities like flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, Smeg mini-fridges, coffee machines, and bespoke bath products are appreciated. Some suites even feature kitchenettes.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at G-Rough are described as "elegant and spacious" suites and apartments, individually designed and air-conditioned. They feature "beautiful decor," "luxury linen towels," and "super comfortable beds." The design incorporates historic furnishings from the 1930s-1950s by renowned Italian designers such as Ico Parisi, Paolo Venini, and Giò Ponti. Many suites also include large bathtubs, sometimes centrally placed in the room. The "patina walls and weathered furnishings" contribute to the hotel's distinctive aesthetic, which guests find "artfully combines an evocative setting with beautiful vintage furniture."

4. Dining Experience

G-Rough does not have a full-service restaurant. However, a "great breakfast" is served, with guests noting tasty options that can also be served in rooms. This typically includes freshly squeezed orange juice, cappuccino, yogurt, and bread. The hotel also features a "cool bar downstairs" that serves as a reception area, offering wine and cocktails, alongside cheese and salami platters from a local deli. Many restaurants are just a few minutes' walk from the hotel.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at G-Rough are consistently highlighted as exceptional, scoring 9.3 for staff on one review site. Guests describe the team as "lovely," "extremely friendly," "welcoming," and "helpful." They are praised for their attentiveness, personalized recommendations for local restaurants and attractions, and a lack of pretentiousness. One guest recounted a staff member providing their personal Netflix login when the TV wasn't working, showcasing the level of personalized care.

6. Location & Accessibility

Located on Piazza di Pasquino, G-Rough boasts an "excellent" and "great base for sightseeing" in the historic center of Rome. It is just a 5-minute walk from Piazza Navona and Campo de' Fiori, and less than a 15-minute walk from the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. The neighborhood is characterized by lively squares, narrow streets, and historic architecture, yet remains relatively free of overwhelming tourist crowds. Bus stops are a two-minute walk away, providing direct access to the Colosseum (10 minutes) and Vatican City (15 minutes). Rome Termini train station is about a 20-minute bus ride or a 20-minute walk. Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport is a 40-minute drive.

7. Value & Pricing

G-Rough is considered a luxury boutique hotel, and its pricing reflects this. While generally seen as "very pricey for what it is," guests often feel the unique experience, design, and service justify the cost. Prices found for a one-night stay for two adults range from approximately $255.90 to $844, with an average weeknight price around $844 and weekend nights around $574. January is noted as the cheapest month to stay, while October is the most expensive.

8. Common Complaints

While largely positive, some recurring issues and criticisms have been noted:

• Noise: Rooms, particularly those on the first floor above the bar, can be noisy due to a lack of soundproofing in the old building. Guests have mentioned hearing everything from the courtyard.
• Bathroom Amenities/Space: Some guests have found the "rustic old style" to be uncomfortable, with "annoying super thin" towels and a lack of cabinets or hanging space for toiletries in the bathrooms.
• Room View/Lighting: Some rooms face directly into another building, limiting views, and some bedrooms have been described as dark.
• Cleanliness/Maintenance: One review mentioned dust and areas under the sink or furniture that hadn't been cleaned in a long time. Another noted that the room was large but "outdated" and that the property "looks tired" in some areas. Issues with air conditioning and toilets requiring multiple flushes were also mentioned.
• Lack of Facilities: As a small boutique hotel, it lacks amenities like a full restaurant, spa, or fitness center, which larger hotels might offer.

Sources

1. mrandmrssmith.com
2. michelin.com
3. oyster.com
4. booking.com
5. booking.com
6. tablethotels.com
7. hotels.com
8. fathomaway.com
9. champ-magazine.com
10. expedia.com
11. kayak.com