Hotel Review: Westin Excelsior in Rome, Italy

The Westin Excelsior Hotel in Rome provides guests with an upscale and luxurious retreat. In 2008 they completed a massive $7 million renovation, updating all of the rooms on site. A fully equipped fitness room is located on site, as is Kids Club that features activities for children such as games and a bedtime story.

They offer different types of guest services including dry cleaning and a concierge's desk. The hotel also has an indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam bath and indoor pool. All rooms feature a mini-bar, robes, slippers, in-room movies and cable television. They also provide guests with wireless internet, marble bathrooms and a larger sized bed. Guests have the option of choosing from seven different room types, including the Villa Cupola. This is a larger sized suite, with a separate drawing or sitting room, bedroom and bathroom all with luxurious furnishings and decorations.

The Excelsior Hotel is located within easy access from some of the top sites in Rome including Vatican City. However this also means that travelers spend a lot of time stuck in traffic and fighting with the tourists on the way to their chosen destination. The hotel prides itself on its luxurious surroundings and features, which is a pro for some.

Others might consider this a con since it also comes with a large price tag. The hotel's amenities such as dry cleaning and concierge service are helpful and sometimes necessary, but those too come with an additional surcharge. Tickets, taxis and anything else the concierge acquires requires an additional fee. However for those without the time or connections to procure such items, this is definitely a plus. It also saves guests the hassles of dealing with a foreign language.

The Excelsior is a grand hotel and with that comes a grand price tag. As of 2008 the starting price for one of their rooms was $631 a night in American dollars. However it's worthwhile to remember that this is a luxury hotel and those prices are to be expected.

A trip to Rome is nothing to sneeze at and since it's a once in a lifetime experience for many, worrying over the cost shouldn't be of the utmost importance. Those that can afford staying in the Excelsior will find it well worth the price. The friendly staff, elegant rooms and services provided are worth the cost of the room. They are very few hotels in the area with the same grace or elegance.