Hotel Panda

The Hotel Panda is a convenient, welcoming and clean little cheapo located in the heart of an area better known for high fashion than budget hotels. This two-star hotel is situated just a one-minute saunter from the base of the Spanish Steps, so it’s all about location, location, location.

Here's how it works: You walk away from the Spanish Steps and past the sidewalk cafes and gift shops on the Via Della Croce until you get to #35, a large apartment building with shops downstairs. You get buzzed in, and lift your suitcase up to the building's first-floor landing, where an elevator takes you up to the Hotel Panda. There, glass doors slide open (a bit of incongruous pizzazz) to let you into the small lobby.

The Panda's 28 guest rooms are on the small side and won’t win any awards for designer flair, but they’re comfortable and clean. Air conditioning is available in the summer months, and all rooms have TV, a phone and free Wi-Fi. Throughout there are terracotta floors (no carpets), and we spotted some Roman statuettes in a few rooms.

Note that rooms facing the pedestrian-packed Via Della Croce can get some noise, especially during the evening when the restaurants are busy. Other rooms on the back can be rather dark. Most of the rooms have private bathrooms, but a few of the cheapest share facilities. Toiletries and hair dryers are available.

Breakfast is not included, but the hotel does offer vouchers for an Italian breakfast (hot drink, juice and croissant) at the famous D’Angelo pastry shop downstairs. There is also a communal fridge.

As noted, the hotel has an elevator, but you have to climb a set of steps before reaching it.