#252 - Hotel Valadier in Rome

Lucky Find!

Last October, Don and I stumbled across this hotel, not far from Rome's Piazza del Popolo.

It was a very lucky find, because we'd just spent a night at a dreadful hotel and we were eager to change.

Via della Fontanella

We found the hotel while wandering on our first morning in Rome. The cobblestone street was more like a charming alley, with lots of pleasant activity. 

We spotted the modest entrance and assumed it was a small boutique hotel. But Hotel Valadier actually occupies the entire block.

Unique Interior
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It was 9:30 am when we stepped inside. I turned back to look at the unusual door design, between two display windows. Hard to believe this had once been a 17th century townhouse.

I stood back while Don stepped down into the lobby to inquire about rooms.

Mirrored Lobby

I studied the small lobby from above and questioned the size. The mirrored walls played a crazy trick on my eyes.  

The woman at the desk said there were rooms available that morning. The price was quite decent, so we dashed back to the other hotel and returned with bags.

When we arrived the doorman placed our bags around a marble statue at the bottom of the stairs. I laughed again at how those crazy mirrors made it look like our suitcases had multiplied. 

I didn't laugh so much at the marble copy of Rape of Sabin, displayed at the top of the stairs. Art often focusses on disturbing stories. Rome is filled with art...

Labyrinth 

The hotel staff was very gracious and turned us over to a kind bellman who guided us to our room. What a comical journey it was. Even with guidance, I felt like we were sloppily navigating the tricky passages within a haunted cruise ship.

There were many ups and downs. I tried to memorize the marble sculptures... so they could work as breadcrumbs to help me find my way, later. 

After some twists and turns we reached darker halls with glossy walls and more mirrors. It felt like a spooky fun house. I was tempted to walk with outstretched arms to avoid bonking my face.

There were a couple of elevators, sort of hidden in the wall.

We fit into this one, but a tinier elevator could not hold 3. 

The elevator beside the dramatic sculpture, opened to more art. We got to enjoy a mosaic show, as we traveled.

Connected Building

The tiny box lifted us up one more floor. After a bit more walking, we came upon a double set of wood doors. We were evidently in a different wing of the hotel. Far, far from the lobby. 

And then we found our room. #212!

An Easier Route

Our sweet bellman opened the door to our room, then insisted we follow him back down. He wanted to show us an easier route, that avoided the lobby. Our journey ended when we stepped out onto a different street. Via Del Corso! What a wonderfully charming street!

Before leaving us, he directed us how to unlock the large wooden doors, beneath the balcony. I looked up to be sure I would recognize this mystery entrance. And there it was, the balcony to our very room!

Retracing

​Don and I retraced our steps, back to our room. 

The large door from the street opened to a dim hall, with another marble friend.

We greeted the shy statue and turned right. A small gate opened to another room.

Once through the gate, we had the choice of elevator or stairs. The marble stairs seemed quicker and safer.

After a small climb we found the 2 doors that led to the hall with our room.  The sign "Corso 12 Rooms & Suites", helped to remind us.

At Last!

We stepped into our guest room and laughed about the amusing maze we had just experienced. Now we had time to settle in, for 3 nights.

The room was spacious and clean and comfy. 

There were a few funny flaws. The table and chair combo was handy, but Don's knees didn't exactly fit.

The bathroom was just fine, with robes and a decent shower. The mirrored was just right for Don, but a bit high for my 5 foot 2 height.

 I could barely see my teeth while brushing them.

The quilted headboard was a tiny bit worn, but the bed was comfy and having 2 nightstands always pleases me.

Studying the wood beams in the ceiling made me so curious about the history of the building. The Hotel Valadier is not a terribly old business, so what was in this building before? 

Who slept or worked here 1 or 2 centuries ago? Was there art on the walls?

If there had been a couch, I'm sure it didn't look like this one. But I was happy to have it (and the closet nook) for organizing our stuff. We'd been traveling for 16 days, so we made good use.

Via Del Corso

I was thrilled having a view of Via del Corso. Not just a window, but a balcony! I could step out and look at Piazza Del Poppolo, to the right.

Again, our balcony was just above the impressive door. Our room may not have been close to the lobby, but it was very convenient being able to come and go, with our secret door.

Balcony View

Via del Corso is an entertaining street, with mostly pedestrian traffic. We could peek out and watch activity below...

...or we could watch activity across. This guy could shave, smoke and read his phone, at the same time!

I loved the sounds in the day. Voices echoing, horses clip clopping, Children on Halloween evening, trick-or-treating at the shops below. And quiet, in the morning.

​Off to explore...
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When not exploring Rome, I had fun exploring the hotel. The Ladies Room was quite amazing. 

I spotted the pink flowers and The Three Graces, first.

Then I noticed a glass door just beyond. Frosty dancers on the glass! It seemed odd to have a clear-ish door to a restroom. I stepped inside.

The ultimate Powder Room, with lounge space. The gold-framed mirrors along with a mirrored ceiling, had me turning in circles like a happily confused kid, playing in front of  dressing room mirrors.

Such an impressive room! Luckily no ladies, so I could snap photos.

Piano and Sleeping Jag

Next I wandered into the Pianobar Valadier. Or so the sign told me.

There was a red and black grand piano. The spotted jaguar that lounged on top, seemed to match the drawing on the sign. I couldn't decide if he looked funny or creepy.

It was the end of October and the hotel was playing up Halloween. There were lots of cobwebs and spiders along with modern art.

We never saw any music in the piano bar, but Don and I made use of the quiet space few times. 

The Halloween decor disappeared on November 1, so I was able to get some less cluttered photos.

This little sitting area intrigued me. I nicknamed it the Stairway Corner. The red stairs shown in the artwork, were obvious. The black stairs in the corner were less so. How odd to see the artsy-black stairway, from the underside. They led to the hotel's Valentyne Lounge.

Getting Lost Some More

I left Don in the room resting an ailing foot on ice, while I got lost looking for the restaurants on upper floors. Lots of steps and backtracking. Just as well he stayed back to rest.

After passing so many traditional marble statues, I began to spot some curious figures. The hotel's finer dining areas seemed to play up a bolder, more modern look. I tried to peek inside the Moon Asian Bar, but it was closed.

Hi-res Terrace Lounge

On the rooftop, I found Hi-res, the trendy restaurant and bar, with panoramic views of Rome. ​

During the morning hours it served complimentary breakfast!

3 Breakfasts

The spread of food was quite decent and the views were equally satisfying.

People watching was pretty entertaining as well. I chatted with a Russian woman in a fur coat one morning. A blond woman from Romania, (who'd been very tipsy the night before) giggled with me about how her husband broke a doorknob. 

Night Life

We visited Valentyne's Club a couple times during our stay.

I noticed it early on, when exploring the lobby. 

We found the outside entrance on the first evening, when hotel manager DuDu was chatting with us outside. (DuDu btw, was hands down the best of the hotel's outstanding staff.) He was an enthused greeter outside in the evenings and he also was a very gracious guide when he escorted us up the red stairs to Valentyne's. "If you like jazz, you will love the club!" he insisted.

Our best conversation with DuDu was one evening while waiting for an Uber. He warned us they were going to close the street soon, because an important person was coming to dine. (a European President, we learned) We had to congratulate DuDu for his patience as we watched him handle a rather tipsy lady who refused to move her car. She waved away help and fumbled to pull about 8 Louis Vuitton bags from her trunk... none of which had been closed. Her wardrobe was scattered on the cobblestone. Even the police could not hide their amusement. 

Drinks & Jazz

Don and I were the oldest guests at Valentyne's, both evenings.  

The atmosphere was swanky and the drinks were fun... I had a glass straw!

I also enjoyed the assortment of salty treats that came with our drinks.

​Brillo

Besides the rooftop restaurants, we had one other dining option. The entrance to Brillo was just beside the hotels main entrance.

Cafe tables were set up outside from breakfast on.

Inside Dining

Most preferred to dine out, but we were happy for an inside table on Halloween night. The restaurant was quiet, but welcoming at 10 pm.

The prices were surprisingly reasonable, for being in such popular location.

The Margherita pizza was excellent! And our server efficient and fun. Especially when Don dropped his wallet and our waiter playfully thanked him for the gift!

"Granite & Gelati"

We stepped outside after our pizza and pondered about one more food option at our hotel. The glowing window with colorful gelato looked inviting.

We decided to wait for the next day. Our last day in Rome, I finally got close checking off one more thing I had hoped to do in Rome.

I reached for my cone, topped with a cookie wafer and Don and I walked to some stairs. 

I had hoped to enjoy a cone while sitting on the Spanish Steps, just like Audrey Hepburn, in  Roman Holiday. Those steps were a step too far, for my drippy gelato. Instead I sat on the steps of Santa Maria del Popolo. This beautiful little church just steps from our hotel, offered the perfect spot for people watching! Perfect!

What's Notable?

Our 3 nights were perfecto. The location was ideal. We could walk to Borghese Gardens, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and even the Vatican. But the nearby streets were charming, with appealing shops and cafes. No need to go far. 

Besides location, the hotel felt like a classy ship, that contained all the food, drink and music we needed. Standing on our little balcony also felt like ship. I was entertained by the ever-changing scenery, just like the view from a cruise. I loved the crazy mysterious maze feel of the hotel, once I got used to it. And I loved our isolated room where we never heard another neighbor. I'm sure other parts of the hotel were more luxurious or upgraded, but for our price the room and hotel was a steal. 
I would gladly stay again.
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