Residenza Paolo Vi

“March City Break in Rome 2026”

We stayed at the Residenzia Paolo VI whilst enjoying a city break in Rome for the first time. We wanted a hotel which offered a peaceful and relaxing oasis outside of the centre of the city each evening. The Paolo VI is a uniquely placed hotel, situated right on the perimeter of St Peter's Basilic… more

We stayed at the Residenzia Paolo VI whilst enjoying a city break in Rome for the first time. We wanted a hotel which offered a peaceful and relaxing oasis outside of the centre of the city each evening. The Paolo VI is a uniquely placed hotel, situated right on the perimeter of St Peter's Basilica and it is simply wonderful. The terrace restaurant and bar on the fourth floor looks directly on to St Peter's and the view is priceless. We stayed in a room on the third floor (Nobile wing) in early March overlooking the courtyard, which was perfect. The breakfast (5th floor) had a great range of options and service was excellent. The Terrace bar and restaurant really was excellent and very high praise for Francesca, who provided first class service and hospitality without exception. We had dinner and drinks two evenings at the hotel and the food and service were faultless. The hotel is a five minute walk from the busy Borgo Pio where restaurants and bars create a great buzz during the day and evening. (Try ARLU restaurant at the Vatican end of the Pio, if you can). You can walk over the Tiber and be in Central Rome in 25 minutes. Overall, Paolo VI is a uniquely eclectic small hotel with the feel of a boutique house-style, flavoured by its proximity to the Vatican with a stunning view over St Peters. Stretch to the best room your budget allows. Easy access to the city and a wonderful oasis of calm in the evening. Five stars from us!

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“Overpriced viewing point”

I was torn between rating this 2-3 stars. It wasn’t an average experience due to the location but unfortunately other experiences dragged down my rating. The staff were very friendly, fluent in English and extremely professional. However, the hotel the restaurant was located in was run down and d… more

I was torn between rating this 2-3 stars. It wasn’t an average experience due to the location but unfortunately other experiences dragged down my rating. The staff were very friendly, fluent in English and extremely professional. However, the hotel the restaurant was located in was run down and dated, from the outside of the building to the inside it was all in need of a refurbishment and nothing compared to its sister hotel- Cardinal Ceci. It appeared to be practically empty from guests. The location could not be faulted, it is in the Vatican and overlooks the Basilica. If you go later in the evening you can watch the sunset. Very quiet and private dining experience, with a nice photo opportunity and rare view. The meal was not value for money, small portions, bland and underwhelming. We ordered fillet steak and were unable to eat most of it due to grissle and fat. It should never have been served. We received a reduction on the bill due to this but it didn’t make up for the main course. The pasta we ordered as a started was nice but nothing spectacular or overly special, again not value for money. This would be better as a rooftop bar not a restaurant!

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“Small room”

The hotel was in a great location with a beautiful terrace restaurant overlooking St Peter's basilica serving excellent food. The room may have been the smallest hotel room I've ever been in with no space for cases. The room was in need of attention but being so small I don't know how it could be i… more

The hotel was in a great location with a beautiful terrace restaurant overlooking St Peter's basilica serving excellent food. The room may have been the smallest hotel room I've ever been in with no space for cases. The room was in need of attention but being so small I don't know how it could be improved.

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“One Incident Cost this Review Stars”

First, the positive: this hotel, a former monastery, is in a great location, right next to St. Peter’s Square. The rooms are simple but clean and comfortable. Bathroom was spacious, with toilet, sink, bidet, and shower (shower seat, too, in case you need it). There is some noise if your room is in … more

First, the positive: this hotel, a former monastery, is in a great location, right next to St. Peter’s Square. The rooms are simple but clean and comfortable. Bathroom was spacious, with toilet, sink, bidet, and shower (shower seat, too, in case you need it). There is some noise if your room is in the street, as ours was. The outside terrace lives up to its reputation online and in photos. We spent time there every night, sometimes just for drinks, a couple of times for dinner. If Francesca is working, lucky you! She’s wonderful. You also can access the area for the Pope’s Sunday Angelus. This would have been a 5-star review across the board, but a very unpleasant experience occurred the morning we departed. The hotel offers transportation between the Rome airport and the hotel, advertised on their website. I had requested, by message to the hotel, a car service on the day we arrived, 19 March, from the airport to the hotel. I knew the price was €85 and accepted that. Our driver, Roberto, was cheery and helpful. He dropped us at the hotel. He never asked us for money, because we’d pay the cost of the trip to the hotel. Upon check-in, I produced my credit card. On 24 March, the day before we were leaving, I asked the young woman at the desk to book us transportation to the airport on the morning of 25 March. She took care of it. Before we checked out, the man at the desk said we had to pay for the shuttle service. Again, I produced my credit card and was charged. Fine. We took our bags down to the street and met Claudio, our driver. When Claudio dropped us off at the airport, he demanded payment of €85. I told him I had just paid at the hotel. He grew belligerent and demanded we pay. I had to call the hotel, and the same man was rude, insulting, and impatient, implying that I was stupid. So the charge was for the shuttle service a week prior? Okay, I was humiliated. I never intended to not pay. So I handed my credit card to the driver, Claudio. Nope, he wouldn’t accept it. Cash only, he said. I used my card EVERYWHERE in Rome, and he wouldn’t take it. As an American about to leave Europe, I had few Euros on me. And I don’t use an ATM while out of the country. Luckily, I had two €50s, one €10, and two €5 notes. I handed the two 50s to Claudio and he made a big show about my not having the correct amount, then rummaged around in his vehicle and dropped coins into my hand - one-euro and 50-cent coins that added up to €10. So actually, he ripped ME off. But here’s the issue: if the transportation is a hotel-offered service, it should be up to the hotel to handle it properly. This was handled very poorly.

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