A plaque outside Hotel Sole Roma claims that the property is on the site of one of the oldest hotels in Rome. While it has certainly been updated since the building was constructed centuries ago, the hotel still feels slightly dated with small rooms and heavy furniture. Reaching the front desk requires climbing a steep flight of stairs, but there is small elevator to access higher floors once the first steps are conquered. While there is no lobby to speak of, the traditional hotel has a large internal courtyard with terraces that offer views of the rooftops of Rome. The barebones style of the hotel tends to appeal to couples and younger travelers attracted by the reasonable price-to-location ratio.  

Less than a minute from Campo de’ Fiori, Hotel Sole Roma is located on a small cobblestone street in the center of Rome’s charming historic quarter. The nearby piazza hosts a colorful market every day except Sunday, and then transforms into a popular nightlight spot after the sun sets. The area around the hotel is crisscrossed with medieval alleyways and full of artisan workshops, traditional restaurants, ice cream shops, and boutiques. The area is best explored on foot, and famous sites such as the Pantheon and Piazza Navona are a short walk away. While there are no nearby metro stops, there is a major bus stop at Largo di Torre Argentina. Termini station is a 12-minute drive away and Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino airport can be reached in about 40 minutes by car.

Hotel Sole shows its age in the guest rooms, which have some charming original details such as exposed beams but also exhibit wear and tear. Many rooms tend to be a fairly tight squeeze. Inside, terra-cotta tile floors and heavy wooden furniture are mixed with modern bedspreads and colorful throw pillows to result in a fairly eclectic traditional Italian design. While the queen-size beds and linens are new, most other room aspects, including the bathrooms with small step-in shower cabins and old-fashioned hose hairdryers, could benefit from an update. All rooms have air-conditioning, a kettle for tea and coffee, free Wi-Fi, and small flat-screen TVs hung in the corners.

There are few features to speak of at Hotel Sole Roma. The budget hotel does have a small breakfast room where a tasty continental breakfast is available daily. It is possible to enjoy the morning meal in the small courtyard when the Roman weather permits but there is no restaurant for lunch or dinner. Along with the location, the multi-level internal terrace that rings the courtyard is the hotel’s best feature. While many rooms lack views, the communal patios have seating options and lovely lookout areas over the neighborhood’s charming rooftops. The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi throughout.