When I was looking for accommodation for my next stay in Rome, Hotel Forum seemed like a safe bet.

It has one of the most famous addresses in the city. It's right next to the Forum Romana, within walking distance of the Colosseum and most of the main sights.

It looks elegant, almost aristocratic in the photographs. It's a bit reminiscent of the famous old New York Plaza-style hotels - classic luxury, history and an exceptional location.

But after a few nights, I have to say that the reality is considerably less impressive than the marketing photos.

And while the hotel offers one huge advantage, it hardly justifies the price you pay for your stay.

The location is fantastic

Let's start with what's really great about the Forum Hotel.

Location.

Just walk out of the hotel and within minutes you are on foot:

• at Fora Romana
• by the Colosseum
• Piazza Venezia
• in the historic centre

In addition, the metro station of line B "Colosseo" is only about 5 minutes on foot from the hotel.

If you plan to explore Rome mostly on foot, you'll be hard pressed to find a better address.

The location is the main reason why most guests book this hotel.

And probably the main reason it can afford to charge the prices it does.

The biggest problem: the exorbitant price

And it was the location and the good reviews (in retrospect I don't really understand such good reviews) that made me book.

Despite the very high price.

• 💰 2 nights in a room with a view without breakfast - 825 eur
• 🥯 breakfast (we only paid for 1 night) - 20 eur per person
• 📆 term - end of April 2026
• 🕗 booking in advance - about 1 month

Check current price - Hotel Forum

View of the Forum Romanum? Only partially

The hotel is often presented as having a view of the Roman Forum.

This is only partly true.

If you imagine opening your room window and seeing the entire ancient Forum spread out below you, you're likely to be disappointed.

From the ordinary rooms, you can see mainly part of Trajan's Markets and the surrounding buildings.

The truly iconic view is only found on the roof terrace.

It is here that the restaurant and bar are located, offering a magnificent panoramic view of the Roman Forum, the Capitol and the rooftops of the historic centre.

To be fair - the view is truly exceptional.

I just wouldn't conclude that you'll get the same panorama from your room because of it.

The room feels older than it should.

The photos on the internet give the impression of a classic luxury hotel.

The reality is rather old-fashioned.

And in some details even outdated.

The room with a view, which is supposed to be one of the better ones, seemed to be long past its prime. As were the lobby and public areas of the hotel.

Plus, it's quite small and impractically designed (for example, you can't slide chairs under the desk, so you can't effectively walk past the bed to the window).

This is not the kind of historic hotel where age creates atmosphere.

It's more like the kind of hotel where you start to think renovation wouldn't be a bad thing.

The room has bathrobes, slippers, a small amenity kit in the bathroom.

And a fairly well-stocked minibar.

Prices are around 5 eur for sodas and 12 eur for sparkling wine.

In fact, I was quite shocked that a hotel that presents itself so luxuriously only has a kettle and instant coffee in the room!

Bathroom: luxury to the eye, average in reality

I had a similar feeling about the bathroom.

Cleanliness was fine. You won't find mould or neglected cleaning.

But at the same time, you could see

• Wear and tear
• cheaper materials
• a number of details that could be repaired

At the price of the hotel, I simply expected more.

Find the best hotels in Rome

Breakfast is a throwback to the 90s

I don't mean that in a negative way.

The atmosphere of the breakfast operation feels a bit old-world, but the menu was surprisingly broad.

You'll find everything most guests expect:

• pastries
• sweet and savoury options
• fresh waffles, pancakes, eggs
• fruits, vegetables
• coffee

Nothing revolutionary and nothing completely original, but it wasn't a disaster either.

In short, an honest hotel standard.

And then there's the view.

Breakfast on the rooftop terrace overlooking the Roman Forum is one of the highlights of the whole stay.

Services and hotel restaurants

Check-in is not until 3pm and I arrive at the hotel after noon.

I use the free luggage storage, which I then use during check-out, when we leave our luggage at the front desk until late afternoon.

The hotel also offers a laundry service, but the prices are very high.

You can use the bar on the top rooftop floor in the evening from 4pm and the upscale restaurant one floor below.

I was somehow not impressed by the menu and certainly not by the very high prices (around 40 eur for a main course), so I preferred to explore local restaurants.

• 👉 Here are my tips where I ate in Rome

Would I recommend staying at the Forum Hotel?

Simple answer: no.

The hotel will probably find its clientele. If you like the old-fashioned look, prefer a great location and don't worry about money, then the Forum Hotel is for you.

But I will definitely not be the target group for the hotel.

For me, the hotel is long outdated, not very well maintained, and you can find plenty of significantly better accommodations in Rome for a similar price.

Better alternatives nearby

You have two choices of alternatives in Rome.

Cheaper and lower quality hotels:

These hotels have good ratings and are at least 2 times cheaper than the Forum Hotel.

• Hotel Trecento *** - great location in Piazza Venezia
• Hotel della Torre Argentina *** - an elegant hotel with a terrace at the Teatro Argentina

More expensive but really good hotels:

• NH Collection Roma Fori Imperiali ***** - a hotel with excellent service right on Piazza Venezia
• Radisson Collection Hotel, Roma Antica ***** - top hotel of a well-known brand just off Piazza Venezia