The hotels of Rome: useful tips when sleeping in Rome

THE HOTELS OF ROME: USEFUL TIPS WHEN SLEEPING IN ROME

In Rome and all Italy hotels it is common practice for the reception desk to register your passport, and only registered guests are allowed to use the rooms. This is mere routine, done for security reasons, and there is no need for concern. Room rates are based on whether they are for single ( camera singola ) or double ( camera doppia occupancy ). In every room you will find a list of the hotel rates , generally on the back of the doors. While 4 and 5 star hotels have double beds, most hotels have only single bed.

Should you want a double bed, you have to ask for a " letto matrimoniale ". All hotels in Rome have rooms with bathrooms; only 1 star establishments usually have shared bathrooms only.

Most hotel rates include breakfast ( prima colazione ), but you can also request no breakfast, thus reducing the rate. The breakfast is generally served in a communal room and comprises a buffet with pastries, bread with butter and jam, cold cereals, fruit, yougurt, coffee and fruit juice.
Some hotels in Rome are regularly frequented by foreign tourists and will also serve other items such as eggs for their American and British guests.
Some hotels for families and in tourist localities also offer " mezza pensione " or half board, in which breakfast and dinner are included in the price.

Hotels in Rome are controlled by the government rating system as well the licensed tour guides that ranks them from no stars to five stars de-luxe. The star rating depends on the things like the number of lights in the room, whether or not the hotel has an elevator, the number of private showers and toilets, and the size of the rooms; it has nothing to do with service, attitude of management, cleanliness, or cross ventilation, so do not always judge a hotel in Rome by its stars.