Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese

We were two couples leaving a cruise in Rome and spending two nights at this hotel. We had been here 3 years earlier. We had deluxe rooms and I received an upgrade as a member. Rooms were modern and good size. No complaints. We are all in our 60s and 70s - there is only one room with a walk in shower but we were told they are closing for a good part of next year for renovations so I expect improvements in accessible tubs and showers. All the compliments for the upstairs restaurant, where breakfast buffet is served are well deserved. It is a spectacular breakfast -- get it in the room rate. Bell staff were incredible -- we left at 0400 to go to the airport and there was bell staff on duty to assist!! The surrounding Via Veneto area is safe and stimulating. No complaints from us about this stay.

This is meant to be a top end business hotel, but the internet simply doesn't work. The free internet wouldn't even send an email during the evening. The paid for internet (€15 a day!) worked at about the speed of a 1990's dial-up connection. The hotel then decided to rent out its only bar and restaurant for an entire afternoon and evening. If there are multiple bars and restaurants then private parties are fine. When there is only one, it is not fine. You pay huge room rates and expect to get all the facilities of a top end hotel, not to see the hotel cashing in by subletting them to someone else. I am a Sofitel platinum card holder who values the brand because I know what to expect. This hotel falls way below that standard.

It was our first time in Rome and we looked at booking a few hotels but a good friend of ours recommended the Sofitel@ Villa Borghese. First impressions- the hotel looked old school and had a Parisian charm from the 1950’s era. The staff at the hotel are lovely if not a little dizzy at times especially the breakfast crew who find it hard to get on top of a typical days breakfast regime! Actually we found this lapse almost too Laid back altitude to good service everywhere we eat around Rome! The breakfast is situated on the beautiful rooftop garden that has a panoramic view over the city of Rome and the Vatican. The hotel is charming but needs a revamp as it’s starting to look a little tired. Considering this the hotel isn’t cheap so don’t book it thinking your going to get a standard rate “ it’s a 4 star in 5 star disguise� Location is brilliant as you’re able too walk everywhere with the main sites in walking distance from the hotel. Would we book it again????... probably not as there are other hotels nearby that are the same price that have more to offer for a 5 star hotel.

As a Platinum Accor member I stay in a lot of Sofitels around the world and frankly this hotel is so far removed from the international standard that Accor should be a shamed with themselves for allowing them to trade under the Sofitel name . I had the misfortune of booking this hotel, based on the brand rather then the reviews, don’t do it . I am assured that the hotel will be renovated shortly, however that does not help those who have the misfortune of booking it until then. The hotel is not a reflection of Rome or the SOFITEL brand, it is a decaying monument. We arrived at 8pm and were checked into a room that was pokey and smelly to a point I could stand to be in the room and in no way matched the photos on the Accor website . It certainly did not represent value for for money , in fact the only thing that reminded you that you were staying at a Sofitel was the price . I questioned the front desk about changing rooms and was repeatedly lied too and told the hotel was fully booked. When I insisted that I wanted a new room or a refund , suddenly a new room was found . Unfortunately this room while resembling the photo shopped photos on the website, upon further inspection and use was found to be very worn and we enjoyed no hot water and a very lumpy mattress, when I called the front desk and no manager was available till the next morning. So after a sleepless night at a very expensive hotel, I asked to speak with the manager and at this point requested another room or a refund . Unfortunately they were unable to provide a more suitable room. The proposition was instead to play musical chairs and move from room to room each night in the hope it may get better . This was not a even an option after I had travelled 30 hours to be in Rome, so I pushed for a refund and received one . I must say that the guest relations manager was very apologetic and the hotel did not charge us for the dinner we had eaten at the restaurant the night before or the transfer we had booked from the airport . I did say I would be amenable to paying for these , but the hotel insisted that these would not be charged. While it was appreciated, my grievance still rests with the representations made online , if I knew this hotel was in such a deteriorated condition, I would have never booked it. Frankly it’s highly misleading, my suggestion to management is to lower the price and disclose the condition to avoid future arguments with your guests.

I had the pleasure of staying at this hotel again, this time in May 2018 with my sister. I've always loved this hotel, as it's location is great and it's beautiful. It's not far from the spanish steps and cafes. The food at the rooftop bar/restaurant is outstanding and so is the service. We ate there twice and had we stayed longer we would have gone back. We had a bright airy comfortable room with excellent room service. The staff at the door and the receptionist desk were outstanding!