Hotel Raffaello Rome Review: Location, Amenities & More

Travelers searching for a hotel in central Rome near the Colosseum often land on Hotel Raffaello, a 3-star property in the Monti district that belongs to the Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western. This review focuses on the questions that matter most before booking: how far it actually is from the major sights, what the rooms and rooftop offer, and how guest experiences stack up across multiple platforms. We have drawn on the hotel’s official site, listings from TripAdvisor, Booking.com, and Expedia, and the city’s own tourism board to build a practical, fact-based profile.

Last checked: 2026-07-15

Location: Central Rome, near Colosseum · Star Rating: 3-star (Tripadvisor) / 4-star (Best Western) · Rooftop Terrace: Yes, panoramic views · Neighborhood: Rione Monti, quiet street

How far is Hotel Raffaello from Rome’s center?

Hotel Raffaello’s address at Via Urbana 3/5 places it in the Monti district, one of Rome’s oldest neighborhoods and arguably its most central for sightseeing. Expedia’s French listing calculates walking times at roughly 11 minutes to the Roman Forum (1.0 km), 16 minutes to the Colosseum (1.3 km), and 17 minutes to the Trevi Fountain (1.5 km). These distances are consistent with what multiple reviewers on TripAdvisor and Booking.com describe: a “less than 10-minute walk” to both the Colosseum and Roma Termini station.

Walking distance to Colosseum

The Colosseum is the landmark most commonly tied to Hotel Raffaello’s location. The official hotel site states the property is a short walk from the Colosseum and the Imperial Forums. Expedia’s French data puts the walk at 1.3 km, about 16 minutes at a standard pace. For context, the Trevi Fountain is 1.5 km away, and the Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore sits around the corner, as noted in Yelp reviews.

Walking distance to Termini Station

Roma Termini, the city’s main railway and metro hub, is listed by TripAdvisor’s own description as “a few minutes’ walk” from the hotel. Booking.com reviewers consistently confirm this, describing the proximity to Termini as a practical advantage for arrivals and day trips. The Cavour metro station (Line B) is even closer, giving direct access to the Colosseo stop one stop away.

Neighborhood character

Monti is known for its narrow cobblestone streets, independent boutiques, and wine bars. Yelp reviewers note that Hotel Raffaello sits on a quiet street within this lively district. The combination of quiet lodgings and immediate access to restaurants and cafes emerges as a recurring theme in guest feedback on Booking.com. One Reddit reviewer mentioned a small grocery store next door and an ATM in the hotel lobby, which adds a layer of practical convenience for longer stays.

What is Hotel Raffaello Rome known for?

Hotel Raffaello is primarily recognized as a 3-star property in the Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western. Turismo Roma, the city’s official tourism board, describes it as a 3-star hotel in the heart of Rome on Via Urbana, offering 41 rooms and a rooftop bar called Tramonti. The dual star rating — 3-star on TripAdvisor and 4-star on Best Western’s own site — reflects a discrepancy worth noting before booking: the same hotel may appear under different classifications depending on the platform you use.

Brand affiliation

Being part of the Best Western family means guests can expect a baseline of chain-wide standards. The official site highlights a “panoramic rooftop bar” as one of the hotel’s exclusive services, positioning the property for both leisure and business travelers. TripAdvisor’s listing confirms the affiliation and verifies the address.

Key selling points

Beyond the location, the rooftop terrace is the hotel’s most distinctive feature. Turismo Roma calls the Tramonti bar “an oasis of tranquility with panoramic views over Rome.” The official site also promotes it as a space for unwinding after a day of sightseeing. Superior suites come with private terraces overlooking the city’s red rooftops, an amenity that several TripAdvisor reviewers specifically praise. The hotel provides free Wi‑Fi throughout, adjustable air conditioning, LCD TVs, minibars, and a personalized pillow menu in each room.

What amenities does Hotel Raffaello offer?

Guest reviews across multiple platforms paint a consistent picture of the amenities at Hotel Raffaello. The hotel website lists 41 rooms equipped with adjustable air conditioning, LCD TV, safe, minibar, personalized pillow menu, and bathroom courtesy set. TripAdvisor notes that superior suites feature private terraces with city views. Beyond the rooms, the hotel offers a range of services that cater to both short-stay tourists and longer-term business travelers.

Rooftop terrace and bar

The Tramonti rooftop bar is described by Turismo Roma as a “key feature” offering panoramic views. Expedia’s US listing confirms the presence of a rooftop terrace among the hotel’s amenities. The official site positions it as an “exclusive service,” suggesting it may be reserved for guests rather than open to the public. Seasonal operation hours are not specified in the available sources.

Breakfast and dining

Expedia’s French site describes a daily buffet breakfast served from 07:00 to 10:30, with a fee of approximately 14 EUR for adults and 10 EUR for children. TripAdvisor and Booking.com reviewers frequently praise the breakfast quality, calling it “excellent” and “good value.” One Reddit reviewer noted that free croissants and coffee were available nearly all day in the lobby, though this is not confirmed by official sources. The official site mentions a coffee station and room service, but does not list breakfast as included in the base rate.

Other services

Expedia’s US listing notes additional services: limo/town car service, dry cleaning/laundry, express check-in, multilingual staff, porter/bellhop, 24-hour front desk, and luggage storage. Turismo Roma mentions pet-friendly policies, a business corner, transfer services, private parking (listed by Expedia at about 31 EUR per day for off-site parking), and special packages. TripAdvisor’s family amenities page references an optional rented mobile Wi‑Fi device at about 5 EUR per day.

Is breakfast included at Hotel Raffaello Rome?

The answer depends on the booking channel and rate plan selected. The official hotel site does not explicitly state that breakfast is included in the base room price. Expedia’s French listing describes a daily buffet breakfast with a separate fee of about 14 EUR for adults and 10 EUR for children. TripAdvisor and Booking.com reviewers often mention paying separately for breakfast but describe it as good value.

Breakfast policy

Given the lack of a clear statement from the official site, the safest assumption is that breakfast is not automatically included. Travelers who book through Best Western’s own portal may see breakfast as an add-on option, while third-party OTA bookings may or may not include it depending on the rate. Expedia’s consistent pricing data suggests a standard fee around 14 EUR per adult as of mid-2024.

Alternatives nearby

Monti is full of cafes and pastry shops within a two-minute walk of the hotel. Yelp and TripAdvisor reviewers highlight local bakeries and espresso bars as convenient alternatives to the hotel buffet, especially for early risers or those who prefer a lighter start. The small grocery store next door, noted in a Reddit review, offers snacks and drinks for in-room breakfast preparation.

Alternatives to Hotel Raffaello in central Rome

Monti and the surrounding central districts offer several comparable hotels for travelers weighing their options. While Hotel Raffaello stands out for its rooftop bar and Best Western consistency, the following properties provide different trade-offs in location, price, and amenities.

Hotel de Russie

Located near Piazza del Popolo, Hotel de Russie is a 5-star property with a renowned courtyard garden and a more upscale price point. It offers a rooftop restaurant and spa, but its distance from the Colosseum and Termini is considerably greater than Hotel Raffaello’s. A full review of this property is available on our site.

Hotel Universo Florence (Florence)

While not in Rome, Hotel Universo in Florence offers a similar value proposition: a centrally located, affordable hotel on Santa Maria Novella square, with proximity to the train station and main sights. Readers considering a multi-city Italian trip may find this a useful comparison for budget and comfort expectations.

Related reading: Hotel de Russie Rome Review · Hotel Universo Florence: Affordable Stay on Santa Maria Novella

For travelers comparing options, other Rome hotel reviews offer additional insights into nearby accommodations.

Frequently asked questions about Hotel Raffaello Rome