Rome is known for excitement and noise, and the entrance area of Hotel Royal Santina is too, though the guest rooms are much quieter than the frenetic lobby. A recessed ceiling and large granite pillars add dramatic interest, with the blue glow of the reception desk and boldly colored club chairs looking slightly out of place. Outside, there's a patio with manicured grass and steel furniture.

Hotel Royal Santina is on a bustling strip in the heart of Rome. With the property only two minutes away by foot from Termini railway station, taking public transportation to Rome's landmark destinations like the Colosseum and Spanish Steps couldn't be simpler. The hotel has a restaurant and bar, but the neighborhood is overflowing with better options. Some guests recommend exercising caution when passing through the area at night.

Hotels in Europe can get a bad reputation for miniature bathrooms and old-fashioned amenities. So the mod design of Hotel Royal Santina’s guest rooms -- featuring adjustable mood lighting -- is a nice surprise. Keep in mind the overall spaces are still small. Platform beds are simply and stylishly covered with crisp white sheets and gray bed runners. Electric kettles are set up for in-room tea making and flat-screen TVs are standard. The Junior Suite has a balcony with the only good views of the city in the house.

Yes, there's an on-site restaurant with free breakfast as well as lunch and dinner and a small lobby bar with shelves of booze, but Hotel Royal Santina doesn't have a fitness center or swimming pool. A small patio is geared more towards smokers than sunbathers. People stay here for relatively convenient access to the airport and the nearness of Termini train station. Meeting rooms are available for business travelers as well.