Enter The Grand Hotel Fleming

Perhaps some might call this hotel out-dated, lacking in modern amenities and shoved right in the middle of Europe’s busiest cities: Rome. But anyone who’s ever been to Italy with a sentimental heart can only call the Grand Hotel Fleming one thing: traditional. Nestled in the heart of Rome, the old Grand Hotel Fleming is accessible by bus or a taxi waiting to take you downtown. Next door is an old style café frequented by tourists and locals alike, often found dining al fresco. As with any remodeled European hotel, the Grand Hotel Fleming retains much of the charm it had for when it was first built. The rooms are small (much like Italian clothes sizes) but clean with very modern amenities, perfect for the wearied tourist who plans to stay for the night after spending a day looking over Rome. A well known tourist hotel, the building is huge and easily booked, so it is advisable that you make your reservation ahead of time. As much as five tours can stay in the hotel any given night, and the numbers can only go up during the tourist season. Be warned, though. This is not the Hilton. There will be no mints in your bed nor will you pampered with constant room service. The staff speaks English but don’t expect a long and cheery hello from the front desk: you won’t get it. The most you can expect is a warm welcome and…that’s pretty much it. In fact, if you are looking for something posh and upscale, you might want to throw in more money and head off to some of the pricier hotels.

Quaint is the probably the best word to describe this hotel, who’s small rooms reflect a different time. And as with most Italians preference to do things with al fresco, so are the hotel rooms. Room temperature is almost impossible to control, and if you ever get there, don’t bother. Instead, do what the locals do (and what the hotel staff will crisply tell you): Open your window. Overall, the Hotel Grand Fleming is a hotel destined more for the adventurer, someone in between a backpacker and a couple out for their honeymoon. If all you need is a good, clean place to stay while at the same time absorb “Roma” as you can, then this hotel is most likely the ideal plae to stay in.