The Westin Excelsior in Rome, Italy

The Summer of 2007, while staying with relatives in Italy, I got the chance to visit some of the major cities. An important stop on my trip was the world famous Rome, the Eternal City. While there, I chose to stay at the Westin Excelsior, and upscale hotel on Via Veneto.

This was not my first visit to Rome. I previously lived there for 3 months while studying the Italian language. While there, I scouted some possible locations where I would like to stay in the future. Via Veneto was the street I chose. It was close to Termini, the main train station, but not so close as to be dangerous at night. It was also within walking distance of the Ancient Roman sites, as well as the Spanish Steps and Villa Borghese.

The Westing Excelsior is on Via Veneto across from the US Embassy. The embassy gave it a very secure feeling even late at night. It has an old fashioned look with many modern amenities. The building it occupies is older, but fits in the with the surrounding buildings quite nicely. Inside, marble floors and red carpets catch the eye. The large wooden reception and concierge desks enhance the feeling of luxury.

Our room was a spacious double with a view of the US Embassy across the street. There was a flat screen TV, but no HDTV yet. The beds were large and quite comfortable. The bathrooms were covered in marble. There was a large shower and bath tub, a large mirror and counter with sink, a standard toilet, and a bidet. The room had a minibar fridge, which we used to cool some of our own drinks. Overall it was quite clean and comfortable.

The hotel had a business center downstairs from the reception area. There were internet-capable computers available for a fee, which was a bit expensive for checking email. There were also printers, newspapers, and a television showing the news. The hotel bar was very upscale. It was pricey, even for the area. I would recommend walking outside for drinks or a snack, since there are several restaurants and bars nearby.

There is a metro stop a few blocks away from the Westin Excelsior. It can take you to Termini, or one of many of Rome's sites, including St. Peter's Basilica or the Colosseum. The doormen can also call a taxi at any hour.

I would recommend this hotel for anyone looking for an upscale place to stay in Rome. Rooms can go for between $200 to several thousand dollars per night. It's ideal location and comfortable rooms are perfect for those that can afford the stay.