Hotel dei Barbieri

Hotel dei Barbieri, a Michelin Key Selected property in the heart of Rome, consistently earns high praise for its exceptional blend of historic charm and modern luxury, making it a standout choice for discerning travelers.

Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general sentiment for Hotel dei Barbieri is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently using terms like "Perfection all the way!" and "Perfect!!!!". The hotel maintains high ratings across various platforms, including a 4.3/5.0 score on its official website, and 9.0 for cleanliness, location, and staff & service on Hotels.com. Its selection as a Michelin Key property further underscores its status among the "most outstanding hotels" in Italy.

Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud Hotel dei Barbieri for several key aspects:

• Service & Staff: The "impeccable service" and "friendly and helpful staff" are frequently highlighted. Staff members are often described as professional, kind, and attentive, with specific mentions of individuals like Adriana, Nino, and Daniela for their exceptional hospitality.
• Location: The hotel's "centrally located" and "excellent location" is a major draw, placing guests within easy walking distance of Rome's most iconic attractions.
• Design: The hotel's "unique and beautiful rooms" and "stunning update of a 17th-century building" are highly appreciated. The interiors expertly "mix lovingly preserved period architecture with cutting-edge contemporary design," featuring original stone, ceiling frescos, and impressive artwork.
• Amenities: Guests appreciate complimentary Wi-Fi, the convenience of a provided mobile phone for navigation, and services such as 24-hour reception, concierge, and tour desk assistance. Other amenities include luggage storage, dry cleaning, room service, a bar/lounge, and a garden.

Room Quality

The 16 rooms at Hotel dei Barbieri are described as "comfortable, clean, and well-equipped," offering a blend of spaciousness and thoughtful design. Many guests find the rooms "quirky and clean," featuring "comfortable beds and a powerful shower." The design incorporates original stone and ceiling frescos, maintaining the historical character of the 17th-century building, while providing modern comforts.

Standard room amenities include air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a safe box, ironing facilities, and a minibar. Private bathrooms are well-appointed with bidets, separate toilets, showers, hairdryers, and slippers. The rooms are also soundproofed, contributing to a peaceful stay. Some rooms boast natural wooden double beds or king-size beds, and suites offer two bedrooms for added space.

Dining Experience

Hotel dei Barbieri offers an Italian breakfast daily, often described as "great." While some reviews indicate a complimentary breakfast, others note a surcharge of approximately EUR 20 for adults and children. Guests also have the option of in-room breakfast. The hotel features its own restaurant, bar, and café, which serve "exquisite local fare" in an "intimate and dramatic space." Additionally, there is a lounge bar where guests can relax with a drink. For dining outside the hotel, the nearby Pane e Salame restaurant is recommended for its Roman and Lazio dishes.

Service & Staff

The hospitality at Hotel dei Barbieri is consistently praised, with staff members being a significant highlight for many guests. Reviews frequently mention "impeccable service" and "friendly and helpful staff" who are professional and attentive. Specific individuals like Adriana, Nino, and Daniela have been recognized for their warmth and willingness to assist. The 24-hour reception, concierge, and tour-desk services ensure that guests' needs are met efficiently. The provision of a mobile phone for easy navigation around the city is another thoughtful touch. The staff is also noted for quickly resolving any issues, such as room problems.

Location & Accessibility

Hotel dei Barbieri boasts an "extremely well situated" and "very convenient location" in Rome City Centre, making it an ideal base for exploring the city on foot. Though tucked away on a quiet side street, it offers excellent accessibility to numerous attractions.

Key attractions within easy walking distance include:

• Piazza Navona (7-8 minutes)
• The Pantheon (6 minutes)
• Campo de' Fiori (5-6 minutes)
• Largo di Torre Argentina (site of Caesar's assassination)
• Trevi Fountain
• Colosseum and Roman Forum (within a 25-minute walk or a short taxi ride)
• Vatican Museums (within a 25-minute walk or a short taxi ride)
• Trastevere (a 15-minute walk across the river)

Public transportation options are also readily available, with the Arenula-Cairoli Tram Station a 2-minute walk away and the Barberini underground station a short distance. For arrivals and departures, a paid airport shuttle is available for EUR 70.00 one-way, and self-parking can be arranged for EUR 60.00 per day.

Value & Pricing

As a 4-star Michelin Key Selected hotel, Hotel dei Barbieri offers an upscale experience. Prices for a 1-night stay for two adults generally start around $196.49, with average weeknight prices at $311 and weekend nights at $362. January is typically the cheapest month to stay, while March sees the highest prices.

It's important to note the child policy, where children are not permitted to stay free of charge, and additional fees apply for cribs (€20 per night) and extra beds (€140 per person per night). Continental breakfast also incurs a surcharge. Guests largely feel the experience justifies the cost, especially given the prime location and high level of service.

Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring issues and criticisms have been noted by guests:

• Room Size: A few guests have found the actual room size to be smaller than what was depicted in online photographs.
• Bed Comfort & Noise: Occasional complaints include uncomfortable and noisy beds in some rooms.
• Heating/Cooling Issues: There have been isolated instances of the heating system not working, leading to cold rooms, or air conditioning issues.
• Hygiene Concerns: A few reviews mentioned problems with hygiene, such as unclean pillow covers, pillows, and kettles.
• Noise: Being in a central location, some guests have reported noise from the road, though many acknowledge this as a characteristic of staying in a vibrant city like Rome.
• Child-Related Fees and Information: One guest expressed dissatisfaction with the high charge for a cot (€20 per night) and receiving incorrect information about microwave use for sterilizing baby bottles.
• Staff Consistency: While generally praised, a few comments suggested that "some staff members could be more friendly and attentive."

Sources

1. booking.com
2. hoteldeibarbieri.com
3. hotels.com
4. expedia.com
5. michelin.com
6. palazzodenoha.it
7. italyromehotels.net
8. booking.com
9. booking.com
10. youtube.com
11. it-romehotels.com
12. rometophotels.com
13. kayak.com