I’ve been fortunate enough to travel a fair bit this year and I have definitely caught the travel bug! I love discovering the sights and sounds of new cities and going away doesn’t mean you have to go far, weekend breaks within Europe can be affordable and just as exciting if you plan in advance.
New on my list of my favourite cities in Europe is Rome – my last trip of the year and one of my best!
During our trip to Rome we stayed in Hotel Indigo Rome – St George, which can be found on the quaint cobbled street of Via Giulia. The location is prime for those who are particularly interested in visiting Vatican City and the Pantheon as both are a mere walking distance away. Although the hotel is in a prime tourist location, it is very cute and quiet as the street is a restricted traffic zone so you can still get some rest when you’re not packing your day full of sightseeing.
Check In
We arrived to the hotel earlier than our check in time and were greeted by the super friendly and hospitable staff at the front desk who tried their best to ensure the room was ready as soon as possible. They didn’t have to do this but the fact that they did was a very kind and thoughtful touch. We popped round the corner for a quick bite for breakfast and by the time we returned the room was ready for us.
Check in was very quick and efficient, the staff explained where the room was and the facilities available. In addition we asked about how to purchase tickets for certain tourist attractions such as the Vatican museums and the staff told us that they could arrange all of this for us so we wouldn’t have to deal with the fuss of trying to book several tickets or waiting in endless queues- such a relief when you’re trying to plan an activity-filled trip! The hotel staff at the front desk had an exceptional proficiency of English too. This is very helpful if, like me, you unfortunately don’t know much Italian aside from the names of some delicious dishes.
We were then told which number our room was and the floor and we took the stairs up as we were in the first floor. We had absolutely no trouble finding the room as the layout of the hotel was very clear with signs and visible room numbers and our baggage was already in the room when we walked in.
The Hotel
When walking down the Via Giulia and looking at the outside of Hotel Indigo Rome – St George, it blends in perfectly with the surrounding buildings, preserving the the traditional Italian feel and ambiance that you associate with Italy. However when you step inside the hotel, the first thing you will be taken back by is the sheer size of the building. From the outside it looks very petite and charming, living up to its reputation as a boutique hotel. The interior of the hotel has a beautiful sense of contemporary classic interior, merging modern looks with traditional Italian design. The beautiful arches in the hotel and use of stone work pays homage to Rome and the hotel’s Italian heritage.
The hotel boasts a spa, swimming pool, sauna, steam room and fitness centre inside. Unfortunately I didn’t have the time to use these facilities but they looked very clean and well maintained, definitely suitable for anyone trying to squeeze some lusurious me-time into their stay.
On that note, the entire hotel was immaculately maintained. Everything throughout the building, from the entrance to the rooms, was very clean and well presented.
With the stunning decor and vast size, a true sense of grandeur can be felt throughout Hotel Indigo Rome.
The Room
Our room was a charming suite on the first floor, facing the street of Via Giulia with stunning little touches such as shutters to make you feel as though you could even be in rural Italy.
The room was simultaneously both elegant and comfortable, a strategic use of wood and antique furniture gave a very homely atmosphere. The rooms in the hotel are not as vast as the lobby, this is due to the fact that the hotel is within a renaissance-era building therefore planning restrictions limit room sizes. However what the room may have compromised in space, it definitely compensates in cosyness.
Upon arrival in the room we had a bottle of champagne waiting for us and lots of beautiful sweet treats and biscuits- such a lovely touch which definitely made us feel even more welcome. On our second night we even had a random knock at the door from room service to give us some chocolates out of the blue! I was so overjoyed, what’s better than the gift of chocolate?
The double bed in our room was heavenly, with lots of pillows and a comfortable mattress. So comfortable in fact it became quite a challenge to leave the comfort of the bed to start the day’s activities! There were plugs on either side of the bed perfect for phone charging, as well as a dressing table to one side of the bed with a kettle, complimentary tea and coffee and a mini fridge- all were replenished every morning when housekeeping changed the sheets, towels and tidied.
The room also comes with a wall mounted flat screen TV if you fancy watching some programs whilst you lie in bed, although I didn’t use the TV much I definitely used the hotel’s free wifi to stream Netflix on my iPad.
The room had a spacious wardrobe and dressing area as you walk in which was perfect for hanging up all my outfits. In the little cupboards within the wardrobe I found an ironing board, iron and hairdryer- all very useful when getting ready for dinner.
The hotel also provides a complimentary smartphone which you can take outside of the building and out and about with you. All calls made on the smartphone are free of charge around the world and it can be a handy little companion when walking around the city.
Here’s the view from the room…
The Bathroom
The bathroom was en suite with an array of toiletries provided which were also replenished daily by housekeeping. The shower was huge, which I particularly loved. It was so big without a door that it almost felt like a wet room.
Bathrobes were provided and I absolutely had to get a photo in mine- typical blogger! There were also lots of very soft towels in all sizes.
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Breakfast
Breakfast was included in our stay and it was absolutely delicious! You will find the breakfast area in the restaurant on the ground floor of the hotel. There was an abundance of delicious food that it was difficult to choose what to have. Staying true to the little touches of the hotel, they ensured that a lot of local produce and signature Italian breads were included in the buffet selection, because of course, Italy is known for its food!
The buffet was perfectly presented and tasted just as good as it all looked. There was definitely something for everyone, even the fussiest of eaters. Staff were always around ensuring that no plate was empty and there was a constant flow of food around.
The dining area has a very intimate and warm atmosphere with comfy chairs and tables relatively close together.
Staff
The staff at Hotel Indigo Rome were very welcoming and thoughtful during our stay. They personally ensured that the stay of each guest, including myself, was memorable and that everything was going well.
All staff throughout the hotel were warm and polite, greeting you with friendly “Hello’s” and smiles. Its not only the hotel that makes a stay memorable, but also the treatment you receive and I can definitely say that Hotel Indigo Rome provides a very personal touch with their customer service.
Whether it was help with directions, booking tickets for attractions or calling taxis (as I’ve found that Uber’s in Rome are very expensive), they were on hand at all hours of the day to help.
Check Out
Checking out of the hotel was a very straightforward ano simple process. Our flight was not until much later in the evening and the hotel kindly held onto our luggage until it was time to go which made our lives a lot easier and gave some time to venture to the rooftop bar and cafe for stunning views of the city. Even if you’re not at the hotel I would recommend coming up here for a drink because the views are absolutely breathtaking.
Rome is now one of my favourite cities, not just for the food, the history and the beauty of it all, but because my stay at Hotel Indigo Rome – St George made it all the more memorable. From beginning to end, our stay was absolutely magical and an authentic Italian experience. When I return to Rome there is nowhere else I’d rather be than Hotel Indigo Rome.
