Hotel Forum by Jamie Dunford Wood

Every tour bus that approaches the Colosseum from the ‘wedding cake’ in the Piazza Venezia passes the Forum Hotel, set back a way from the real forum. Many is the tourist who will have looked longingly at it, complaining loudly to their tour leader that they should be staying there rather than out in the sticks on the Via Aurelia. Because it looks immediately appealing, not least for it’s unsurpassed position – it’s a world beater. It therefore comes as a pleasant surprise to discover that it does not cost what you would expect – an arm, maybe, but you save the leg.

Inside, the reception area is wood panelled, warm and inviting, with leather armchairs, antiques and a dark, Edwardian feel. Unfortunately the staff seem rather dark and Edwardian themselves, despite the two reception desks. Upstairs the 80 rooms are traditional and elegant – nothing swanky, not always particularly large, but some graced with more panelling, antique and Venetian lamps. Flooring is parquet wood, with tiles in the corridors. The piece de resistance is the fifth floor terrace restaurant, with a fabulous grandstand view of Caesar’s murder, 2050 years too late. Ask for a room with a view. There may be some traffic noise though.