Doria Palace Boutique Hotel

The Doria Palace Boutique Hotel has an address that in Rome is worth more than an extra star: via Merulana 4, in the Esquilino district, at the start of the street that joins Santa Maria Maggiore to San Giovanni in Laterano. The basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is directly opposite: you only have to walk round it to find yourself in front of the door. From Termini station it is about a five minute walk down via Cavour, and from Fiumicino airport the natural connection is the Leonardo Express as far as Termini.

The hotel is small by choice: fifteen en suite rooms, Superior and Deluxe, all completely refurbished in 2020. The furnishing looks to the classic Italian style, with Renaissance echoes that explain the name given to the house. The rooms are air conditioned and soundproofed, no small detail in a district that is busy at all hours, and the free WiFi covers every space. The property is entirely non smoking.

Breakfast on the terrace

The day begins with a continental buffet served on the terrace, which is also the place to come back to in the evening before going out for dinner. The staff speak several languages and look after bookings for restaurants, museums and guided tours, as well as arranging transfers to and from the airports. Check in is from fifteen, check out by eleven.

There is no wellness area, sauna, Turkish bath or swimming pool, and the hotel does not state any: the Doria Palace is an urban boutique hotel, meant for those who want to walk Rome. In our catalogue it appears among the addresses reserved for adults only; the official site does not publish the rule, so it is worth asking for confirmation at the time of booking.