Hotel Villa Duse
Via Alamanno Morelli, 100197 Rome, Italy
06 8069 3239
We stayed at this small hotel for a week and enjoyed it tremendously. It is located on a quiet residential street about a 30-40 minute bus ride from Rome's central train station. It is clean and beautifully furnished, and the staff is courteous and helpful. Not all speak English but we had no difficulty communicating. Breakfast Italiam style does not offer hot dishes, but instead cakes, quiche, yoghurt, hot drinks, juice, cereals, cold meat, cheese and more. Eggs and bacon may be ordered at extra cost.
Room appointments are top class. Our shower sported 10 different spray heads and two controls to turn various options on and off as well as control temperature and pressure. Entrance to rooms is by key card. The card is inserted in a slot in your room after entry. Without it, and somehow at night when all lights are off, the power goes off. This was a problem only when charging an iPad or iPhone while you are out of your room. The key system and an in-room safe provided good security. We learned that if you try your key card at the wrong room it not only does not work, but calls a staff member who politely tells you that you are on the wrong floor.
Minibars, notorious for overcharging, were actually not bad here. Local beer was five euros, compared to 3.50-4.50 at bars located everywhere. Light food (colazioni) is available at the hotel at extra cost, but there is no full menu restaurant. We found excellent and reasonable restaurants within a mile's walk. Ask at the desk for suggestions and directions. Try the Yelp website for listings.
One way to get to the hotel is to take a No. 360 bus from in front of the main station, Terminii. It leaves from the curb, not from the many bus ranks in the plaza north of Terminii. From the front of Terminii walk to the left to the street, then north along the curb away from Terminii. Look for bus signs. There will be two listing bus 360. The first sign is for the southbound 360, which is not what you want. Ten more meters and you find another 360 sign with Muse shown as the destination. Ride it to the next to last stop, called Fermate Salvini. That stop is across the street from a small local bar on the corner. Hotel Villa Duse is on the side street behind the bar. Consider a taxi from Fiumicino If tired from a long flight. For two with luggage the cost is about 50-60 euros.
Rome is beautiful, historic and much too crowded. Hotel Villa Duse is a refuge of quiet and comfort. We would certainly go back. read more