The “Grand” Hotel Hermitage is labeled as a 4 star hotel, and from the looks of their very selective website, it appears so. As a guest in this hotel, let me inform you, ignore that website totally.

The room I had was very small, which I won’t really complain about, but it was lacking some things such as: working heat, remotes for the television and tissues. The most important thing lacking was a safe. I repeat, there is NO SAFE in any of the rooms in the hotel. The rude desk staff informed me that it was 5 Euros a day to place something in their safety deposit box.

I will also mention here that my bag, on the first day, was moved, opened, and looked though by the cleaning staff. I had read a review from another guest who stated that his bags were also given a once over.

The rooms were not filthy, but not a standard of clean that I find acceptable. The glasses in the room were dirty, as was the shower, and just about everything in the bathroom.

My balcony consisted of stained outdoor carpeting, and a broken table with no chairs, and a perfect view of the hotel next door. There were no windows in the room, only the door to the balcony (which could not be fully opened.)

The breakfast consisted of cold hardboiled eggs, coffee, some hams and yogurts. It was not good, but other than the eggs, not terrible, except for the fact that every piece of silverware was dirty, as were the glasses and most of the plates.

The hotel is in a suburb of Rome, and is miles away from any attraction. Again, do not believe their website. I was lucky enough to be with a tour group who bussed us into the city. If not you would have to take expensive cabs. This suburb did not exactly feel safe either; I do not recommend walking around by yourself past dark.

Overall, I would rate the “Grand Hotel” a 2.5, or 3 star, but somehow it is a 4… On my trip to Italy I stayed in 4 hotels, 2 of which were 3 stars, and those two far, FAR, surpassed the Grand Hotel in every way. My advice is, please, stay somewhere else. If you still want to give it a shot, you’ve been warned.