Hotel Atlante Star

On the Via Vitelleschi, 100 m from Saint Peter's Square. The closest metro station is Ottaviano, a 7-minute walk away.< Fiumicino airport is located 16 mi away, and Ciampino airport is 9 mi away. Allow for a 45 minutes trip for Fiumicino, and 30 minutes for Ciampino.

The Atlante Star and Atlante Garden are both part of the same hotel group, but are not adjoining (2-minute walk). Both hotels have an identical number of local standard stars, but do not offer the same type of stay. The rooms at the Atlante Star are more refined, and a panoramic restaurant and terrace are open between April and October. Guests of the Atlante Garden can have dinner in the Atlante Star's panoramic restaurant, but don't forget to book a table.
Accommodation Advice
To have an "exclusive" view of Saint Peter's basilica, ask for suites 309 or 310. The lounge in these suites has a view over the Vatican (located just 150 m away as the crow flies). Furthermore, the bathrooms here are equipped with a hydro massaging bathtub, closed off by a plexiglas wall with a curtain of metal pearls: the designer "plus".
Prices and bookings at www.atlantehotels.com.

You enter the Atlante Star like you would a private house: via a staircase (a little steep, but it is only to get to the reception on the 1st floor). The reception is located in a room that is separate from the lounges (again giving the impression of a private house). Antique style furniture (19th Century), walls with damask fabric hanging from them, and gold wrought iron wall lights. The rest of the common areas are located on the top floor: indoor panoramic restaurant, and above, a terrace set up on the roof to have a drink opposite Saint Peter's Basilica, but only between April and November (terrace closed in winter).

The Atlante Star has 74 rooms. Families can ask for one of the 5 rooms designed for 4 people. From the standard, deluxe or suite category, the standard with an area of 172 sq ft, and the others between 215 and 269 sq ft on average. For an unobstructed view, ask for accommodation on the 5th floor (the highest floor for the rooms). Oriented towards Saint Peter's basilica or buildings in the neighbourhood. The view from the rooms on the lower floors is more obstructed (and is sometimes of a courtyard). As the building is old, the narrow corridors often turn on a right angle and it can feel like you are walking through a maze. The rooms sometimes have wasted space (double entrance or fake corridor): this is because of the historical configuration of the building. As for the decor, several styles coexist: Roman classical, neo-baroque, or even designer in some suites. The bathrooms are equipped with a bathtub (with the exception of 2 of them, which have a shower). Hair dryer and welcome products (70 ml) bearing the hotel's name. Other facilities include the following: flat screen television, telephone, mini-bar and air conditioning.

The panoramic restaurant, called "Les Etoiles", on the top floor is one of the few places in Rome where you can eat breakfast while admiring a view that is rated by Unesco. One side of the room actually has a view of the Vatican (the basilica and the Pope's apartments). Several tables arranged along the bay window allow you to sit right next to the view. The morning buffet is laid out at the back of the room, with hot and cold dishes. At lunch and dinner time, it is best to make a reservation (to get a well-located table). As the menu is identical for both meals, it is better to choose the dinner service: for the sunset and the view of Saint Peter's basilica in the evening. The room is also very nicely laid out: tables dressed with white table clothes, bouquets of flowers... As for tasting, only choose one dish (around £35) if you have a limited budget: a fillet of turbot with courgette flowers (for a light meal), Sicilian tuna or a beef steak with Chianti (for tasty meals). From April (and until November), you can sit outdoors on the garden terrace that is arranged on the roof: the same view, for an al frescodinner.