Hotel Alpi is in a pretty, white stone building with decorative balconies, dark shutters, and glass lanterns over the entrance. A former aristocratic home, the building has been a hotel since 1963 and has always been run by the same family. Inside, there’s a classic, wooden front desk and a sitting area with long black couches that pop against white walls. Attractive features like a gray-and-white checkered floor and an opulent chandelier create a chic, somewhat edgy vibe. The hotel has a beautiful terrace with white walls and terra-cotta tile flooring, and potted palms and ivy that help to create a small oasis in the city. In the spring and summer, the terrace hosts a bar, and guests can order food from the room service menu and enjoy a meal outdoors. The property is particularly popular with couples, although families are also frequent guests. 

Hotel Alpi is within a 10-minute walk of Piazza della Repubblica, where guests can see the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli built inside the Baths of Diocletian. The hotel is a seven-minute walk from Termini Station, which has a direct connection to Fiumcino Airport via the Air Terminal, a trip of about 45 minutes (driving takes about a half hour). It’s also a four-minute walk from Castro Pretorio, a stop for both the metro and bus routes, making transportation to the rest of the city convenient (the metro line connects to the Colosseum stop in about 10 minutes). There are plenty of restaurants, shops, and bars within walking distance. Other poplar sights, such as the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and Pantheon, are a bit of a trek on foot -- about 30 minutes. 

Rooms at Hotel Alpi are modern with parquet wooden floors, wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, and sleek black desks. Colorful bed runners with coordinating headboards -- flock-patterned maroon or gray with fuchsia, orange, or pale mustard -- add vibrancy to some rooms, while all rooms have minibars, safes, free Wi-Fi, and free mineral water. Rooms with small balconies and whirlpool tubs are available, as well as Family Rooms that can accommodate up to four guests. Bathrooms are especially modern with slate-toned walls and floating white sinks; some have shower/tub combos while others have only showers. The showers have rainfall showerheads, but guests complain the shower floor design allows for leakage, making for some wet bathroom floors. Superior Rooms come with free welcome fruit baskets, while Deluxe Rooms offer sparkling wine and chocolates on arrival, and Family Rooms offer a stuffed toy. 

The hotel provides a free breakfast including pastries, jams, meats, and cheeses. Gluten-free items are available on request. There’s a small lobby bar and a gorgeous outdoor terrace with a seasonal bar. Room service was available from 7 a.m. until midnight during our visit, and guests can dine alfresco on the terrace. The hotel has an Internet corner with one computer, and a meeting room is available that can accommodate 15 guests. Nearby parking and airport shuttles can be arranged for a fee, and the hotel is pet-friendly.