Starhotels Metropole Hotel Review

The Metropole offers newly renovated four-star comfort in the heart of Rome

I don't often get to stay in four star luxury hotels in the larger cities in Europe, but the Starhotels Metropole near Termini station showed me what I was missing. The recent renovation of the Metropole indicates a new direction in comfort for visitors to Rome. Now, if the executive room we stayed in was only a few Euros less expensive...

An Executive Room at the Starhotels Metropole in Rome

An executive room isn't just the largest class of rooms at the Metropole, it has features that the next lower classes of rooms, the superior and standard, don't have. We had an LCD television in the bathroom, for example. There were two phone lines, fax, modem hook up and battery charger in the room. The closet seemed bigger than some entire hotel rooms in Paris I've tried to sleep in. But you know what I liked best? The night lights that come on automatically at night, which lead you to the bathroom, where you'll find a glow from a ceiling recess to bathe the room in just enough light to see, but not too much to make you snap awake. And the room is quiet, as you'd expect.

The Renovation of the Metropole

When I observed the whole range of rooms, it was obvious that a renovation was going on at the Metropole. Rooms were becoming more "masculine" in appearance, and at the same time a sense of warmth was felt from the use of the new materials. Hardwood floors replaced carpets, a revolution that's taking place all over, since hardwood floors last much longer than carpet, and today's finishes don't show the wear as much. Then there's the cleanliness factor. Hardwood doesn't absorb odors or provide warm and fluffy housing for bacteria and other critters. It's a great idea whose time has come. This philosophy carries over to the bed coverings used at the Metropole as well. All of it is washable. You'll not lay down on a cover that some big, sweaty dude has snuggled down in a week ago. Whew. Hospitality services have come a long way.

And the beds were top rate. The configuration of the bedding changes with the season. You'll feel soft, cushiony comfort in the top layer in winter when you seek warmth, and less in summer when you're looking to stay cool.

Services at the Hotel Metropole

We found the front desk staff friendly and competent. General manager Gigliola Lombardi told us, "they're young and they go out at night, so they know the best restaurants and clubs." We tested them, and they sent us to a very good restaurant in the area. I asked Ms. Lombardi what the staff knows that people never ask. She thought for a while before replying, "Golfing. People don't know we have several golf courses around Rome, and we can get people into them."

You're paying a lot of money for hotels like the Metropole, so taking advantage of the knowledge (and power) of a good hotel staff is a way to ease the pain.

Starhotel Metropole -- Final Words

I enjoyed my all-to-short stay at the Starhotels Metropole. It was a short walk to Termini Station, about 300 meters, so we could do it without hiring a taxi.

Many online reviews mention disappointment with the breakfast, but the breakfast buffet we enjoyed was more than adequate, especially in Rome where the traditional breakfast consists of coffee and, on special occasions it seems, some kind of sweet pastry.

The Metropole has a fine bar, but the hotel across the street has a nice roof garden; great for a drink or some Roman barbeque. Ballroom dance classes were being held the evening we were there--just in case you want one of those romantic Roman Holidays.

The Metropole is quiet, air conditioned, comfortable and in the heart of Rome. What more could you want?

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodation for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.