The Palace is located in the central district of Sallustian, between Termini Station and Via Veneto, near the American Embassy. It's surrounded by nightclubs, bars, restaurants, and high-end fashion shops. The Villa Borghese Gardens is within a 10-minute walk, and the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza del Popolo are about 15 minutes away on foot. Termini Station is less than 20 minutes away by foot, and five minutes away by taxi, the airport is about a 45-minute ride. There are several trams and metro stops within five minutes of the hotel that can transport guests anywhere in the city.

There are 110 rooms at the Palace, and guests would do well to request a corner room, as these are significantly larger. All the rooms could use updates on the carpeting, wallpaper, and furnishings -- but the wooden headboards, wardrobes, desks, and nightstands are in decent shape. The suites are equipped with a comfortable, antique-style couch and coffee table. The bathrooms are slick and modern, with floor-to-ceiling marble tile, and bathtubs with showerheads and free upscale toiletries. Each room is equipped with free, though spotty Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with a couple of English channels, safes, and mini- fridges. There are no kettles in the rooms for coffee or tea. Views either look onto adjoining rooms, down into the small courtyard, or onto the busy, narrow street.

The Empire’s huge meeting, presentation, and catering space make it ideal for weddings and events. The room rate includes a large buffet breakfast with yogurt, local cheeses, and pastries, and the elegant Aureliano restaurant serves delicious Mediterranean cuisine with a large wine selection. The Blue Bar is a hip spot for coffee, lunch, and drinks. There's a small courtyard patio with a few tables, and room service is available upon request, as are airport transfers and valet parking in a garage a few blocks away. There is free, though somewhat unreliable Wi-Fi in the rooms and in public spaces, and a small fitness center.

An actual palace from the late 1800s that was inhabited by a Venetian family until it was converted into a hotel in 2000, the Empire maintains a regal feel in its swooping, arched ceilings and gilded columns. The potential stuffiness of such details is nicely balanced by bright paint and artistic flare, particularly in the hotel’s Blue Bar, which, painted blue and yellow and adorned with original, modern artwork, gives the sensation of being inside a Van Gogh painting, but with comfortable lounge chairs and couches to kick back on. The protected outdoor patio in the courtyard is comfortable and casual, and a good place to escape the city's bustle.