A Stay Filled With Italian Warmth

Italy is always a good idea and the one country that we find ourselves returning to again and again. This time we were heading to Rome after a Mediterranean cruise because we couldn’t resist a visit to one of our favorite cities in the world. Our hotel during this stay was The Tribune Hotel Roma, a JdV by Hyatt property. As soon as we walked in after our long drive from the Civitavecchia port, we were warmly welcomed by the person at the front desk and we knew we had made the right choice.

With only 52 rooms and suites, this boutique property in Rome’s Ludovisi neighborhood is all about high-touch service. Our room wasn’t quite ready due to our early morning arrival and our bags were quickly ushered into the luggage room. The front desk person suggested we walk around the neighborhood for a bit and pointed us in the direction of some nearby shopping areas. Following our stroll and once back at the hotel, our keys were ready and our bags had already been placed in our room. Each time we found ourselves by the front desk before leaving the hotel, we were asked by the person manning the desk if they could help with directions or anything else or if we needed them to call us a taxi. When we would return to the hotel from a day of sightseeing, we were equally warmly greeted and asked if there was anything they could help us with at that time.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
As New Yorkers, we love to explore a city by foot and Rome is no exception. The Tribune’s location proved perfect for doing just that and as such is one of its greatest features. It is close to the famed Via Veneto, which was once a place for celebrities to frequent in the 1950s and 1960s and was featured in Federico Fellini’s film La Dolce Vita. Today, the street is filled with restaurants and sidewalk cafes as well as other hotels.

For exploring some of Rome’s most iconic sites, The Tribune is also walking distance to the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. The ancient Aurelian Walls are right outside its doors. In addition, the hotel is steps from the lovely gardens and attractions of the Villa Borghese. (See sidebar for more on what to see and do in Rome.)

CONTEMPORARY DESIGN
The hotel boasts a contemporary design with purple and yellow as the main colors to be found in the small lobby, which offered a number of comfortable small seating groupings as well as eclectic accent pieces. If walking the streets of Rome wasn’t enough exercise for you, the hotel also has a fitness center for guests’ use. Our guest room used the same color scheme as the lobby plus herringbone grey wood floors creating a clean contemporary space.

In-room amenities included Wi-Fi, Nespresso coffee machine, a 42-inch HD Smart TV, and safe. All guest rooms and suites also feature King beds. Some, in addition, have a couch that can be made up into a twin bed. Room service is also available.

TIME TO MANGIA
The hotel’s large breakfast buffet is held on the lower-level Lounge, also boasting a contemporary design. As you would expect from any Italian meal, the choices seemed to go on forever with fresh fruit, cakes, pastries, juices, pancakes, waffles, and Italian coffee. In keeping with the standout in service, the front desk clerk upon hearing that our early morning flight home would have us missing breakfast on our last day, ordered us to-go breakfast boxes to take with us to the airport. The packed boxes were ready and waiting for us as we checked out.

For more on-site dining, don’t miss a chance to head to the rooftop seventh floor Terrazza Borghese restaurant and Bubbles Bar. The alfresco venue with a view is a good spot to enjoy a nice selection of Roman pastas, main courses, or desserts or to toast each other on experiencing your own version of La Dolce Vita

ROME AT YOUR DOORSTEP
Spend your days exploring all of Rome’s glorious sites with so many in close proximity to The Tribune Hotel Roma. The nearby Villa Borghese is home to 200 acres of beauty including gardens, trees, fountains, Renaissance villas, and the Borghese Gallery and its impressive collection of works by such greats as Bernini, Caravaggio, Raphael, and Titian. Beyond the neighborhood, dedicate some time to the iconic Colosseum and the Pantheon and the always impressive Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. Slow things down a bit with a gelato and people-watching at Piazza Navona.