An excellent if incongruous example of late-1960s modernist architecture, this imposing concrete structure was originally home to government offices, and opened as Hotel Twenty One in 2009. With boxy, soft furnishings, aluminum-framed glass paneling, and gray- painted concrete walls, the interior is starkly modern. The lobby is low-lit and moody, with ceiling spotlights providing scant illumination. The vibe is professional and efficient rather than warm and fuzzy. A spiral staircase and two elevators lead to hallways that feel a little more playful -- with striped carpets and blackboard walls depicting, in one example, the evolution of art and artists since the late 19th century in fluorescent chalk.  While the hotel draws couples and solo travelers, a partial 2014 renovation added a nursery where parents can drop off children for short stretches of time -- which should attract more families. 

The hotel is centrally located in Rome's well-heeled and bustling Prati District -- a commercial and residential area bustling with offices, restaurants, cafes, bars, and plenty of shops. Vatican City and its world-famous Sistine Chapel are within a 15-minute walk, while, in the other direction, the Spanish Steps and the Pantheon are about 20 minutes away on foot. The nearest Metro stop -- Lepanto -- is within a five-minute walk and connects to the Termini Railway Station.

The hotel has 86 smartly styled rooms whose decor draws on a monochrome palette of grays, with striped carpets and curtains. The only real splashes of color come from vibrant pieces of modern art daubed on headboards, and yellow desk chairs and ottomans. Floor-to-ceiling windows fill the room with plenty of natural light. Rooms come with free Wi-Fi, minibars, safes, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels.  Deluxe Rooms open onto private terraces and offer superb views. Suites have separate living and sleeping areas. Black-tiled bathrooms come with ultra-modern fixtures, hairdryers, stand-in showers with rainfall showerheads, and toiletries in sachets. Suites have whirlpool tubs. Some rooms are also small, even for Rome, and guests have complained about the hotel's excessive use of air fresheners. 

The room rate includes a large buffet breakfast, which includes hot and cold items. Unusual for Rome, the hotel has a large, underground parking garage, and spaces are available for a daily fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and the hotel now has a small nursery where guests can drop off kids for short periods.