Colors Hotel

As its name suggests, the Colors Hotel is a vibrant place, with hues of lime, orange and black competing for space. Situated in an otherwise drab building in a convenient neighborhood near the Vatican, this bursting-with-color two-star spot is a definite mood lifter.

With fresh, like-new décor, helpful (and pleasantly multi-lingual) staff and a definite upbeat vibe that is sometimes missing in Roman hotels, this affordable property is a solid Cheapo pick.

Quick read

Pros: Fun, vibrant décor. Convenient location. Friendly staff. Roof terrace.

Cons: Can pick up noise from the street and other guests. No elevator (and lots of stairs).

Rooms

The Colors Hotel takes its name seriously. Its 24 guest rooms come in a variety of configurations, from private singles, doubles, triples and quads to dorms that sleep between three and six people. They all vary in size, shape and décor, with a single unifying factor: vibrant hues.

Sleeping at the Colors is like sleeping in a paint palette. Your room might sport tangerine-colored walls with a blood-red chair and bright yellow linens, or it might be an homage to the color green. A few of the more subdued rooms are done up in mostly white with bright pops of color in the curtains, bedding and artwork.

In all, it’s a cheery, lively and comfortable scene, with recessed lighting to give the rooms a warm glow. Furnishings are boxy and modern, if utilitarian (think IKEA), and funky lampshades round out the scene. Splashy modern artwork—much of if in the vein of Jackson Pollack—abounds.

All of the private rooms at the Colors Hotel are equipped with air conditioning, a television, safe, mini-fridge and minibar.

Bathrooms

Some rooms have a private bathroom and others share facilities. Rooms designated as “with shower” share a toilet and have a sink and shower tucked into the corner of the room (they have no dividing wall, so things could get a little wet).

All bathrooms at the Colors Hotel are neatly and (of course) colorfully tiled. They are also equipped with toiletries and a hair dryer.

Hotel

The comfy lounge at the Colors Hotel is outfitted with Sky TV, vending machines and complimentary computer stations. The cheery rooftop terrace is a great place to relax in the sun with views of the city—provided you’re up to hoofing it to the top (there’s no elevator).

Wi-Fi is free throughout. Breakfast is included in the room rate for hotel guests, and guests staying in the dorms can purchase it for an additional €5. (Tip: At the famous Castroni Deli, just a few meters down the street, you can pick up a coffee and croissant for about €2.)

Location

The Colors Hotel is located in a safe part of town, just a short walk from St. Peter’s Basilica and the Castel Sant’Angelo. The exterior of the hotel is a tad dreary and the street feels a bit deserted, but this may be a good thing considering the hotel’s proximity to the bustling Via Cola di Rienzo shopping district.

There are a few inexpensive bars and restaurants in the area, but the neighborhood doesn’t have much to offer in the way of nightlife. Most of Rome’s party scene is located on the other side of the Tevere, so party animals may not feel comfortable navigating the dark, leafy streets on a late-night return to the hotel.

That said, the Colors Hotel is great for those in search of a quiet, low-key spot that allows them to visit key tourist attractions by day and pop out to a quiet trattoria by night.

Guest reviews in brief

On the whole, guests like the Colors Hotel and find it to be a solid value. They praise its cute, colorful décor, friendly, helpful staff, and quiet, convenient location.

Complaints here are pretty unsurprising, mostly centering on the hotel’s lack of an elevator. Guests also mention that the rooms can get noisy, especially those located near the reception or common room. A few also say that the breakfast room can get quite crowded (and advise beating the crowds by breakfasting early).

* These reviews were provided by verified guests who booked through EuroCheapo's reservation partners. Click on the links below to read reviews in detail.

Transportation

Subway: The Colors Hotel is well situated for Metro access. It’s just a couple of blocks from both the Ottaviano-San Pietro and Lepanto stops, both serviced by line A.

Buses: You’ll have some trouble getting a bus directly to the quiet Via Boezio, but plenty stop at nearby Via Cola di Rienzo. Read more about public transportation in Rome.

From Fiumcino: Take the Leonardo Express train (35-minute journey, departs about every 30 minutes) from Fiumcino to Termini station and from there transfer to the Metro line A towards Battistini. Get off at Ottaviano-San Pietro or Lepanto.

From Ciampino: From Ciampino, hop on the Terravision bus (departs about every 20 minutes) and get off at Termini to transfer to the Metro (line A to Lepanto or Ottaviano-San Pietro).

From Termini: From Termini, take the Linea A underground line towards Battistini. You can get off at either Lepanto or Ottaviano-San Pietro, both of which are a short walk from the hotel.

Read more about airport transportation in Rome.