Stayed 3 nights as part of Cities of Italy with Riviera Travel. Room and facilities perfectly adequate but air con did not seem to be effective. Breakfast buffet rather disappointing - very watery juice and only tinned fruit. Coffee via a machine resulted in queues. Opted for a set meal in hotel on first night - silver service of antipasta/pasta/meat/dessert +wine for E30 was enjoyable. Several people ate at nearby restaurant on night 2. Bus 156 stops near to hotel for central Rome but a long bumpy ride. Metro stop Basilica St Paul is several blocks away over rough ground. It meant we would stay in Rome all day and evening instead of coming back for a rest and refresh. Tip: Do visit the Basilica St Paul - largest church in Rome and a lovely spacious, serene atmosphere.

There were a few things wrong with this hotel such as a snooty receptionist and no air conditioning ( it was quite warm in April although the Italians did not think so!). However, it was clean,we had a good sized room, and a well equipped bathroom, there was plenty of variation at breakfast - fruit, cereal, cheese, ham, cakes etc although it could be a bit crowded at busier times. I thought it was well placed. There was a bus stop 1 min. walk away. The 715 takes you all the way to the P. Venezia. It was a 15 min. walk to the Metro where we never had to wait more than a few mins. for a train. It only took 15-20 mins. to get into Rome altho' the metro stations aren't near all tourist places. We did not find the area to be unsafe and never saw any petty crime or drug dealing! People walking their dogs the only Italians we met. There were at least three good places to eat in the area: Michaelas, Pomodoro&Mozerella, and a small trattoria run by a rugby fanatic(his brother plays for Italy).

Some people seem very hard to please. The breakfast was more than ample - certainly a good deal better than the cake people seem to have become fixated on. One has to expect things to be different away from home. The room was scrupulously clean, well decorated and the whole hotel was non-smoking. I agree that the receptionist was a bit up himself, but he did produce a taxi when asked within minutes of the request. The nearest Metro station isn't too far, though an uphill trek on the way back, but there are some useful shops on the way. And at only one Euro a trip, is very good value. Apart from a neighbourhood barking dog, the area is quiet - rather better than being in the noisy centre if you have trouble in sleeping. The Riviera people would not use this hotel if it were not up to scratch. We would have liked a kettle, but these are rare in continental Europe. Yes, the air conditioning doesn't function in April, but the windows can be opened, which is fine.

We stayed at the Hotel Oly for 4 nights with our 13 month old son. It served as a good base for many of the tourist sights and was less than 10 mins walk to the nearest metro station. The staff were friendly and helpful. The room was adequate but once we had a travel cot added in the space was very limited. The hotel is advertised as having air conditioning, but unfortunately this was switched off for winter - despite the fact that temperatures were still in the high teens and twenties. It also states that it has an indoor pool - however access is restricted to approx 3 times per day - usually mid morning, early afternoon and late evening.

I was traveling solo and on a budget. For the price of the stay, I was very pleasantly surprised. I do not speak Italian. I do not know my way around Italy. The hotel staff made my trip one of the best ever. I cannot say enough about the hospitality of Hotel Oly's employees. Every question asked and every request made, was greeted with a smile and gracious assistance. I went to Italy to meet friends in a town outside of Rome. I would not have found them without Dario's assistance. I had only a partial address. Dario is a very patient and helpful person, a true class act. I definitely plan to stay at Hotel Oly upon my next visit to Rome. Many thanks to everyone at Hotel Oly!