Although clean and well-kept, there is little that's memorable about the hotel's ambiance. A tiny lobby is a strictly business affair, consisting of a small check-in desk, a soft drinks dispenser, and a side table with stacks of tourist pamphlets. Tiled hallways are tidy and plain except for a few framed prints.

Hotel des Artistes is on a street of mid-rise office buildings and small hotels right around the corner from Castro Pretorio Metro station, which leads to the Colosseum, a six-minute ride. Roma Termini, the city's major railway station, is close by as well. A branch of the National Museum of Rome is little more than a 10-minute walk away.

Rooms are ample in size with air-conditioning and large, flat-screen TVs. But the spaces are a bit dark and dreary, with old-fashioned bedspreads, boxy furniture, and a mishmash of ornately framed portraiture and landscape scenes. Bathrooms are clean but outdated and cramped, with little space to stash toiletries. Rooms overlooking the street can get some traffic noise, while quieter rooms overlook an unattractive alley. One floor of the property is dedicated to its hostel units, with both private and dorm-style rooms available. Additional annexed rooms can be found in off-site venues.

Visitors should expect limited additional features at Hotel des Artistes. The hotel does have a convenient 24-hour front desk and a continental breakfast is available. Visitors can then relax with their morning meal on the lovely rooftop terrace. A number of tour packages are available as well and free Wi-Fi is offered for online bookings via the venue's website.