Getting to the Hotel

The CitizenM Roma sits on the banks of the legendary Tiber. To get to the hotel from the airport, there are several options. I first take a nonstop train from the airport to Roma Termini station, and then from there the bus 64 to Argentina. From there it’s just a short walk of about five minutes to the hotel.

Check-In

First impressions can be deceiving. When I arrive at the hotel just after 22h, the music is blaring away at a volume that is deafening. I can hardly hear myself think and I can feel the vibration from the bass rattling my bones. I’m getting too old for this. I try checking myself in, but the scanner can’t read my Swiss ID card. I’m already starting to regret booking here. But then a young Asian woman bounces over like an overly eager puppy and asks if she can help. While she checks me in and inserts my ID details manually, I ask her how long the music will go on. She tells me that it’s only until 23h00, and that it’s only on Thursdays. She also explains that I’m on the top floor, away from the noise. As it turns out, I can still faintly hear the music on the fifth floor, but true to their word, the noise dies down shortly after 23h00 and I am a happy bunny once more.

The Room

The CitizenM Roma was originally built as an office building. I’m assuming that’s the reason why the room is a different shape and size to the ones you usually get at the CitizenM in Amsterdam or Paris. As I enter the room, the clothes rack is on my left. Straight ahead is a small desk and a large window looking out over the Tiber in front of the hotel.

The bed is parallel to the window, which is good, because it means I’m not directly facing the vent of the air conditioning. I should also like to add that I sleep like a baby in this bed. It’s not often that I sleep through the night and get six solid hours of sleep!

Opposite the bed is a bookshelf with an interesting selection of books. They’re the same books in every CitizenM, although my favourite – Why you likely will fall in love with the wrong person – is missing here.

The most noticeable difference to other CitizenM hotels is that the bathroom is much, much larger. Usually the bathroom is so small there’s hardly room to swing a cat. The water pressure is good and a nice longer shower without flooding is easily possible.

The uneven numbered rooms face toward the street. They’re very well insulated, so the room is not at all loud. I can highly recommend a room facing the street because the view of the Tiber is just brilliant!

The Service & Staff

The staff at the hotel are all fairly young and from different parts of the world. They’re all very friendly and eager to help. I also appreciate that the day after I checked in, when I return to the hotel the young lady asks me if I was able to sleep, despite the noise on the first night.

Dining – Breakfast

The dining area is located on the ground floor. I just love a good CitizenM breakfast. In addition to the usual dishes and the selection of hot and cold options, there are a few local specialities, including Maritozzi, which are typical of the Lazio area. They are served with whipped cream piped down the middle and they’re just lovely!

Conclusion

The CitizenM is perfectly located in Rome and ideal if you want to explore the city. The Vittorio Emanuele monument with the Forum Romanum and the Colosseum are in easy walking distance and there are several bus lines that run from Argentina, close to the hotel, to Roma Termini railway station. I’ll definitely be coming back here. Meanwhile, I leave you with a few pictures of the eternal city.