Housed in a converted palazzo, this classic 4-star hotel is conveniently located in Rome’s Centro Storico (historic centre) – a refined and relaxing retreat within easy walking distance of the city’s world-renowned cultural sites.
Rosana and I stayed here for four nights in February and enjoyed a thoroughly romantic stay – even though it was raining for most of the trip. It snowed at one point! We were looking for a comfortable but affordable base from which to explore Rome’s Centro Storico on foot and found the Welcome Piram Hotel to be just the ticket.
The Location
The hotel is within stumbling distance of the Termini transport hub (where almost all buses and trains depart from) and there are plenty of local trattorias and cafes tucked away on the streets surrounding the hotel.
Many of Rome’s iconic attractions and landmarks are located within a 20-30 minute walk, including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Novana, the Spanish Steps, the Jewish Ghetto and Pantheon.
The Repubblica metro station (and the beautiful piazza in which it is located) is just a quick walk away from the hotel and makes it easy to travel across the city to places such as Vatican City and areas like Trastevere and Testaccio, though I’d suggest walking.
The Vibe
This handsome hotel is housed in a historic palace and retains a sense of regal opulence. Vintage chandeliers hang from the lofty ceilings, casting a warm and inviting glow over the grand spaces and gilded furnishings. Period works of art and fragrant plant pots give it a more homely feel.
A doorman adds to the overall sense of security and exclusivity, while the immaculate team of staff provide discreet but efficient service from check-in to check-out.
The Service and Facilities
The Welcome Piram Hotel has its own impressive spa and wellness centre boasting a Finish sauna and Turkish baths.
A wide range of treatments and massages are available, including the ‘massage for tourists and walkers’ (legs and feet), which is perfect after a long day of sightseeing.
The hotel also has stylish meeting and conference facilities, including a large meeting room with space for up to 150 people and four smaller meeting rooms suitable for groups of 10 to 35 people.
The Rooms
The rooms are elegant and positively huge, with large beds, desks and sofas. We loved waking up in our room and looking up at the beautiful oil painting that hung above our bed.
The bathrooms are also impressively large, with lots of marble and double vanity units. Free Wi-Fi, TV, tea & coffee making facilities and a well-stocked minibar also helped us feel at home.
From what I’ve seen, some of the larger suites are even more impressive, with huge separate living areas and extra facilities that give them the look and feel of a palatial apartment.
The Food & Drink
Breakfast: A fantastic breakfast buffet is served every morning and offers everything from fresh fruit, yoghurt and pastries to cold meats, cheeses and hot dishes (eggs, bacon, sausages, etc.).
I loved starting the day with Italian pastries and proper Italian coffee, and even a little splash of Prosecco with my orange juice!
Apotheke Cocktail Bar: The star attraction of the hotel, for us at least, is the beautiful Apotheke Cocktail Bar & Lounge. It has an air of vintage glamour with its illuminated marble bar, while the elegant staff transport you back in time as they shake up the classics.
They seem to be really passionate about perfecting each and every drink they serve, agonising over the details and drawing on the finest quality spirits.
It’s is managed by head barmen Biagio Zecchinelli, a veteran of Rome’s cocktail scene and a charmingly inviting character. He explained to me that they host regular music nights in the piano bar, where local crooners add to the enchanting sense of nostalgia.
In fact, one of the things we looked forward to most after a long day out (in the rain) touring the sites was getting back to our hotel and putting our feet up with a Negroni or Aperol spritz.
There’s also an excellent wine list offering a broad selection of Italian wines, though I’d suggest sticking to the classic cocktails, which Biagio and his team are well-versed in.
It’s open to the public of course, so worth a visit even if you don’t end up staying at the hotel.
Be sure to try Biagio’s signature ‘Piram Spritz’, a refreshing blend of bitter Martini with prosecco and fetta arancia. He assures me it will be available in all of Rome’s best bars by the summer.
Apparently there’s an impressive rooftop terrace too, although I didn’t see it as we were travelling in the winter season.
The Verdict
The Welcome Piram offers that timeless elegance that romantics like might be looking for when trying to find a hotel in Rome. It’s a beautiful building with fantastic rooms, and its central location makes it convenient for exploring the city on foot.
Double rooms are available form around £70/€80 per night, which I think is excellent value for money – especially considering this is a four-star. Rosana and I would definitely stay here again.
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MORE: Best Things to Do in Rome ~ A Guide for First Time Visitors in the ‘Eternal City’
[…] Recommended: On our most recent visit to Rome, Rosana and I stayed at the 4* Welcome Piram Hotel in the Termini area (Centro Storico), which was fantastic for exploring the city on foot and also convenient for the trains/buses from Termini (Rome’s main transport hub). It’s classic in style and our room was positively huge. We also loved relaxing with a drink in the hotel’s beautiful Apoteke cocktail bar after a long day of sightseeing. A fantastic balance between comfort and value. See my full write up on the hotel here. […]