Rome's Hottest Hotel: The Cross Hotel Experience Awaits!
Cross Hotel: Rome, You Had Me at "Ciao!" (But Did You Really?) - My Messy, Honest Review
Alright, buckle up, because this review isn't your sanitized, brochure-perfect spiel. We're diving headfirst into the Cross Hotel in Rome, and trust me, it's a rollercoaster of "Magnifico!" and "Ugh, not again…" Get ready for the good, the bad, and the oh-so-Italian ambiance.
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- Description: A brutally honest and funny review of the Cross Hotel in Rome. Covering everything from accessibility and spas to restaurants and Wi-Fi (because let’s face it, a bad Wi-Fi signal can ruin a Roman holiday!). Get the real scoop on what to expect!
Accessibility - The "Prego" with a Pinch of "Uh Oh":
Navigating Rome with mobility issues is… an adventure. The Cross Hotel sort of gets it. Wheelchair accessible? Yep, they claim it. And… mostly they deliver. The lobby was good, the elevators were functional (a HUGE win in Rome!), and some rooms were specifically tailored. But getting around the city itself? Still a battle involving bumpy cobblestones and the eternal Italian love of a good curb. So, the hotel’s accessibility is a good starting point. Definitely a good first step, but don't expect everything to be as seamless as a freshly poured espresso.
On-site Accessible Restaurants & Lounges: TBD. They really need to specify this better on their website. My notes from the trip are a little blurry on this one… I think the main restaurant was, but getting to it from the accessible rooms needed improving.
Rooms: The Good, The Bad, and the Surprisingly Comfy… Bed!
Okay, let’s be real. Rooms can make or break a trip. And the Cross Hotel offers a mixed bag.
- The "Good": The bed. Oh, the glorious bed! Seriously, it was like sinking into a cloud of pure, fluffy bliss after a day of dodging Vespas. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver for battling jet lag (and for sleeping in – always a plus!). Air conditioning? Thank the heavens! It worked like a charm, blasting out the Roman heat. My room also included a mini bar because I needed a cold beer on arrival after a long flight! Having a private bathroom was also amazing!
- The "Meh": The décor. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't exactly "wow." Think… modern, but slightly generic. Some things could use a little more attention like the carpeting which was looking a little worn. And the soundproofing? It's good, but I still occasionally heard the distant rumble of a scooter – a permanent Roman soundtrack!
- The "Seriously?": One of my friends rooms had connecting rooms. She complained a little that the door wasn't perfectly sealed and she could hear quite a bit from the neighboring rooms.
- Available in all rooms: Additional toilet, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
Internet - The Eternal Struggle: "Wi-Fi? Si! …But Maybe Not."
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Woohoo!… except… The Wi-Fi situation was a bit… spotty. Don’t get me wrong, it WAS technically free. But the signal? Let’s just say I spent a lot of time wandering around the hallways, desperately searching for a bar of connectivity. Free Wi-Fi in public areas was a bit better. The Internet [LAN] option? Forget about it - I couldn't find the ports for it. So, prepare for some digital hiccups. Invest in a good data plan. And maybe pack a book.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa, Pool, and… Pizza?
Here's where the Cross Hotel truly shines.
- The Pool with a view: Oh my GOD, the pool! It's an outdoor haven, perched on the hotel's rooftop, with a stunning view of… Rome! The air conditioning in the gym was great as well… which I frequented to keep active during this wonderful vacation.
- Spa & Wellness: They've got a whole spa shebang. The sauna was a welcome escape. Massage? Absolutely heavenly. I booked one for my first evening, and it melted away the travel stress. They do a body wrap and body scrub as well… which I should have tried. But hey, next time!
- Fitness center: A fully stocked gym/fitness area, but I wasn't going to spend my vacation cooped up in a gym (except for a few of the mornings while waiting for my coffee).
- Other ways to relax: They have a steamroom and the pool with view is a massive hit.
Cleanliness and Safety - "Pfft, You're Safe!"
- Cleanliness was a priority. They’ve got anti-viral cleaning products, and, let me tell you, everything smelled clean. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Rooms sanitized between stays? You betcha. This made me feel safe during my stay.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed pretty clued up on the basics.
- Safety/security feature: They have CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, Security [24-hour], and Safe deposit boxes.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: "Pasta, Pizza, and… Something Weird?"
The Cross Hotel offers a variety of options.
- Breakfast [buffet]: A decent spread, but no croissants that melted in your mouth!
- A la carte in restaurant was a nice touch.
- Restaurants: The main restaurant. They have a poolside bar, which is fantastic. Coffee/tea in restaurant.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: I don’t know why the hotel had Asian cuisine options, but this was a welcome surprise!
- Bar and Poolside bar. The Poolside bar was better.
- Snack bar. For the quick grab and go!
Services and Conveniences: "They've Got It, or They'll Try"
- Concierge: Helpful, friendly, and spoke excellent English. A lifesaver for booking tours and finding decent gelato.
- Dry cleaning & Laundry service: A great way to get fresh clothes after a long day of sightseeing and to save space on the plane.
- Daily housekeeping: Kept the room spotless. My place was cleaned very well.
- Elevator. Very important to navigate the floors.
For the Kids: TBD - the hotel seemed family-friendly, but I didn't experience this firsthand.
Getting Around:
- Airport transfer: They can organize it, but it's not the cheapest option. Consider a taxi or the train.
- Car park [on-site]: They have parking.
- Taxi service: Easy to get.
The Verdict: "Worth It? Maybe. Bring Snacks!"
The Cross Hotel is a solid choice. It's got great bones: a fantastic pool, a decent spa, and generally, a good level of service. But it's not perfect. The Wi-Fi is a pain, and some of the décor could use a refresh. The location is good, but doesn't guarantee walking access to everything.
My rating? I’d say a solid 7.5 out of 10. Worth a visit? Definitely. Will you have a flawless experience? Probably not. But that's part of the fun, right? Just pack a portable charger, maybe some snacks, and be prepared to embrace the beautiful, messy reality of Rome. And maybe, just maybe, have a glass of wine on the rooftop and watch the sunset. Ciao!
**(Disclaimer: This review
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My Roman Holiday (Or: How I Survived the Cross Hotel & Learned to Love (and Hate) Rome)
Okay, so, I'm back. Rome. The city of… well, everything. And The Cross Hotel, that little boutique hotel I booked with what I thought was a discerning eye. Spoiler alert: discerning eye? More like "sleep-deprived-and-desperate-for-airfare." Let's just say this itinerary isn't exactly a Michelin-starred meal. It's more like… a chaotic plate of pasta, mostly delicious, with a few surprise olives you didn't ask for.
Day 1: Arrival, Jet Lag & the Quest for Decent Coffee (And a Bed That Doesn't Remind Me of a Rock)
- 10:00 AM (ish): Landed at Fiumicino. Already feeling the oppressive weight of my luggage and the crushing disappointment that even the airport coffee cost a small fortune. Seriously, is there a global conspiracy to make airport coffee taste like sadness?
- 11:00 AM (ish): Taxi to The Cross Hotel. The tiny, winding streets of Rome? Iconic. My driver, a chain-smoking blur of Italian passion? Also iconic. Tried (and failed) to casually mention the Vatican. Got a passionate lecture about the superiority of Roman drivers. I think. My Italian is rusty. And so is my ability to maintain eye contact with someone careening through traffic.
- 12:00 PM: Arrived at The Cross. Swallowed hard. The lobby looked… well, chic. Too chic. All minimalist lines and hushed tones. Felt like I’d wandered into a perfume ad. The room? Small. Cozy. (Read: tiny). The bed? Hard. Like, "convinced-someone-laid-a-slab-of-concrete-over-foam" hard. My first, and probably lasting, thought: "I'm going to need a chiropractor by the end of this."
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: The Great Coffee Hunt. Fueled by caffeine withdrawal and the desperate need to stay awake, I ventured out. Found two (yes, TWO) coffee shops that served lukewarm, bitter sludge. Finally, after a grueling search, stumbled upon a tiny place bursting with the aroma of… actual coffee. A revelation. Ordered an espresso. Perfect. Savoring that shot of liquid gold was probably the most spiritual experience of my life so far.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Collapsed on the (uncomfortable) bed. Tried to nap. Failed. Jet lag is a jerk.
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Wandered aimlessly, saw the Pantheon (amazing, even from a distance), and got mildly lost. Met a very friendly (and handsome) street vendor selling gelato. Chatted with him for a while – enough to work my Italian muscles. This went well.
- 7:00 PM: Had dinner in a trattoria near the hotel. Ordered pasta. Ate the whole plate, despite the jet lag. The waiter spoke in rapid-fire Italian and brought me wine. I think I ordered the wine, but I am not sure. It worked. Slept 10 hours.
Day 2: Colosseum & the Art of "Getting Mugged (Metaphorically)" (Plus, A Very Serious Gelato Situation)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. The croissants were… okay. The orange juice tasted suspiciously like it came from a carton. Still, fueled up and ready to go. (Also, learned the tiny elevator in the hotel sounds like a sputtering dying seal.)
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: The Colosseum. Holy. Moses. This place is truly spectacular. Took a gazillion photos. Tried to imagine gladiators and lions. Got pushed around by hordes of tourists. The "skip-the-line" ticket? Apparently not skip-the-line- at all. It was like a giant, swarming ant colony. But worth it (mostly). Ended up crammed against a sweaty dude wearing a "I heart Rome" t-shirt. I think I may sort of hate Rome at this moment.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Attempted to visit the Roman Forum. Gave up. Too many crowds. Too much heat. Too much, "ugh, this is what hell feels like, I'm fairly certain". Decided to wander away from the main tourist drag.
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Lunch. Found a tiny pizzeria. Ordered a pizza, and watched. Then, the moment that defined my day.
- The Great Gelato Crisis: Okay, I'm obsessed with gelato. I love it. I need it. I deserve it. I walked into a gelateria that looked promising. Bright colors. Friendly staff. The works. I ordered pistachio. Then, I saw it: the gelato artist sculpting the perfect swirl. It actually tasted too good for a moment. Then, I realized: I was probably being hustled. I paid more for that scoop of gelato than I’d payed for my entire lunch. It was, undeniably, the best gelato I've ever had. Maybe the best anything I've ever had. The pistachio was intensely flavorful, creamy, and… dreamy. Worth it! Worth all the money. Worth the minor existential crisis I experienced while handing over my Euros. I would do it again, probably tomorrow. And I probably will.
- 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Wandered, got lost (again), sat in a park, and people-watched. Found a shady spot under a tree and just sat there absorbing the chaos.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. Found a restaurant that I’d seen on a travel show. Ordered pasta carbonara. It was… not as good as my memory told. Slightly disappointing. That gelato, though? Still perfect.
- 9:00 PM: Collapsed in bed, plotting my escape from The Cross Hotel to seek out a softer bed.
Day 3: Vatican City, Trevi Fountain, and the Art of Dodging Pigeon Bombs
- 9:00 AM: Attempted to get a decent coffee at The Cross. Failed. (Seriously, who approved this coffee machine?)
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Vatican City. St. Peter's Basilica: breathtaking. The Sistine Chapel: crowded, rushed, and, honestly, a bit overwhelming. But the art? Unreal. Michelangelo was a genius (and probably a bit of a grumpy perfectionist).
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch. Decided that I could eat gelato for every meal. Found a place with an enormous range of flavors.
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Trevi Fountain. Tossed a coin (I hope I come back!). Got splashed by rogue water bursts from selfie-stick-wielding tourists. Dodged a squadron of aggressive pigeons. Survived. Am now accepting tips on pigeon-avoidance strategies.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Tried to shop. Failed. Everything was either ridiculously expensive or aggressively touristy.
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Walked the cobblestone streets and got lost. Again. This time, I didn't mind.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. Italian, as usual. Pasta with truffles. Slightly less disappointing than yesterday.
- 9:00 PM: Another sleepless night, plotting to steal the pillow.
Day 4: Departure (Thank God! And Maybe I'll Come Back? Eventually?)
- 9:00 AM: Checked out. The checkout process was awkward. The woman at the desk looked utterly unimpressed by my presence.
- 10:00 AM: Taxi to the airport. Said a silent prayer that the plane wouldn’t be delayed.
- 1:00 PM: Take off. Goodbye, Rome. Goodbye, The Cross Hotel (and your rock-hard bed!).
- Verdict: Rome is both amazing and exhausting. The gelato? Stellar. The coffee?… Let's just say I need a very long nap, and maybe a new chiropractor.
So, would I recommend The Cross Hotel? Hmm… Well, it's… stylish. And in a good location. Would I stay there again? Probably not. But hey, the memories (and the gelato-induced sugar rush) will last a lifetime. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to find a really, really soft bed. And maybe another scoop of pistachio. Just one more. For medicinal purposes, of course.
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So, You're Considering the Cross Hotel in Rome? Buckle Up, Buttercup. (FAQ About the Hype)
Seriously, is the Cross Hotel *actually* as amazing as everyone says?
What kind of rooms can I expect? Cozy? Luxurious? Or a shoebox with a view of a dumpster?
Is the location actually good? Because "central" in Rome could mean *anything*.
What about the food? Everyone raves about the restaurant...
Okay, so the staff... are they helpful, or are they the kind who roll their eyes when you ask for more ice?
Is there a gym? Because all that pasta is going to catch up with me...
Any downsides? Any hidden fees? Any real-life horror stories?
Final Verdict: Should I stay at the Cross Hotel?
