I arrived roma in early morning about 6oclock, walking toward the spanish steps, where the hotel booked locates. When reached the hotel about 10oclock, not allowed to check in yet, but can leave the luggage. Around 1pm( had seen musem borghese, amazing, every inch inside the buiding have some paiting or other form of art ), back to hotel again and checked in. When opened the door and checked the room, I was shocked. The room is small and dark, even worse, the bathroom is tiny, I even can not stand straightup inside the shower . I have never stayed any room like this before.
I went back to the receiption desk and asked to change room, first offered change with paying more. After I poited out the bathroom was too tiny,I was offered to change to a bigger room without extra pay. But unfortunately the bathroom still same tiny. So decided to only stay one night and looked for somewhere else. But I had to pay more for the first night stay, 120euro.( I booked 3 nights total 300 euro , by booking.com, the hotel name is hotel elite, I have written about it in another page).
Due to all reasons( night train, long walk, hot and unpresent smell and temperture inside the room), I started headache, I felt depress and I was going to dislike roma. fortunately, the hotel has free internet. I checked the booking.com, I also felt spanish steps is a bit far from other sightseeing spots, so decided to look for the one near patheon and campo de fiori ,found 2 hotels available ( the look and the price both looks ok for me). I knew campo de fiori has a vivid openair market, I love this kind market,so decide to go there first.
When I reached the area, at the beginning, felt a bit difficult to find the hotel. After asking 2 local, closer to where I was looking for. But I walked around and looked for a hotel sighn. did not see any hotel casa de fiori. According to the booking.com map, I was very sure the hotel should be here. After walking around the block 2 time, still no sighn. I nearly gave up. Fortunately, here lot of shop, to make myself feel better, I fed myself an icecream, then a good looking pisa, then followed others towards a piazza. I belived this is the campo de fiori, lots of restarant. I saw hotel campo de fiori( not the one I looking for).
I know hotel campo di fiori from many travel books, and I know too this is not cheap, although it is good. I felt tired, and had no sighn of the casa de fiori. So I decided to try my luck and see any room discount or in my acceptable price range. The man in receiption proudly told me it was full, no room at all. Since his hotel was full, I thought he may not mind I ask about other hotel information, so asked him where is the casa de fiori. He did not tell me where exactly it is , but said in nearby, and that is not a hotel , even not B&B, just a few room to rent out inside an old buiding. At this point, I felt a bit worry, but I am already here and I think just try looking for a few more minute. Walking out of the hotel campo di fiori, a small open space, around it, a bike rent spot, a bar, next to a bar, a big door with some ringbell. So I walked towards it and found a label casa de fiori in the ringbel.Just I press the ringbell, a man was walking toward to me and talking too. He is the owner.
After a chat, I found out he is from sicily( but acturely, I found later from other handsome staff, not sicily but Born roma, but parents from sicily). Only one room avaible, but I have to change to diffirent room during 2 nights stay. 100 euro per night.staff work at receiption from 8:30 am to 8pm, other hrs have an emergency contact in the shop nearby buiding.breakfast included.free internet connection inside room( cable offered). I told him my bad experience about the elite hotel and tiny bathroom. I was told that property near spanish steps are not typical roma, and here very typical roma, and here big room with big bath. But I am not so confident without having of look of the room. But no room empty at that monent( late afternoon), So I have to trust his words.Looking at the decor in the lobby, I think the room should be good.Also during my chatting with him, I quickly had a scan when a man opened the door of his room. So 2 nights booked and credit card number left to him. Walked out of thebuilding, a walk around the plaza, fed more pisa, icecream,cake, started to see roma.
The following day, checked out elite hotel and paid 120 euro, went to casa di fiori, this time is very straighforward. Checked in and entered my room, on the top floor, I am so happy. the Room is big, more than big, have 3 huge windows, has view of 2 sides, st and plaza, decent decor, air condition( but not visible, I hate air condition machine in room), even A SAFE and mini fridge in the wall, a big bathroom with a power show.( I stayed in sicily in 4 star hotel, even not power show, only huge walk-in marble floor show room, but having sea view) whole room floor is tiled, no carpet, I hate carpet. Almost perfact. Only down side is the bed, a bit tired, soft. Now I am happy, totally relaxed, enjoying roma, started from having a good view from my window, followed by a nice shower, and quick nap. then a fruit shopping in campo de fiori market, 1kg of cherry, few of king size figs, and piza. Afternoon, collosem. Roma, wonderful.
( casa de fiori, 0668808922, staff speaking englsih well, the breakfast lady from falipin . Most of the time, it seems fully booked, so book early. small hotel , only 6 rooms in 2 floors, I was told that the hotel are trying to get more floor in the buiding. I do not want the boss here think I am advertising. )
inside room
the power shower
from the window
market infront( campo de fiori market)
the plaza infront
