Why do I have to provide an Estimated time of Arrival (ETA)?
please read this post for a complete explanation of why if you don’t tell us your ETA, you cannot check-in! The post also includes a guide on how to calculate your ETA to our guesthouse. You may also find these pages useful:
Hotels vs. Guesthouses: What’s the Difference?
- Hotels are typically larger properties with many rooms, a 24-hour reception, and services like restaurants, room service, and concierge.
- Guesthouses are smaller, often family-run, providing a more personal and authentic stay. There is usually no full-time reception or hotel-style amenities, but guests receive warm, direct communication and assistance.
The key distinction is that, unlike a hotel, a guesthouse is typically located within a regular apartment, which itself is part of a larger residential building. This means you’ll be staying in a space that feels more like a home rather than a commercial lodging facility.
Why Choose a Guesthouse Like Ours?
At Steps from the Vatican Guesthouse, guests enjoy:
✔ A Warm, Personalized Atmosphere – Unlike large hotels, here you are welcomed as a valued guest, not just a room number.
✔ Authentic Roman Charm – Our rooms are in a typical 1800s residential building, and the apartment has been recently renovated to provide modern comforts while maintaining historical elegance.
✔ Comfort & Privacy – Each room has a private bathroom, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and soundproof windows, ensuring a relaxing stay.
✔ Unbeatable Location – Just 150 meters from St. Peter’s Square! You can see the Pope’s window and hear his voice during the Angelus.
Guests often tell us they love the cozy, home-like feeling and the chance to experience Rome like a local, rather than staying in a generic hotel. Our goal is to make your stay as comfortable and memorable as possible!
At what time can we check-in and check-out?
Check-in: from 3PM to 7PM. If you want to arrive earlier (but not before 10AM) you may be able to leave your luggage in the service room (please ask for confirmation of availability of this service!).
Check-out: by 10AM. If you want you can leave your luggage in the service room and pick them up later (please ask for confirmation of availability this service!).
IMPORTANT! If you do not tell us at least two days before arrival your estimated arrival time you will NOT be able to enter the apartment! Also, if your cell phone doesn’t not work internationally, we will not be able to contact you: it will be your responsibility to call us to update us on the exact time of your arrival.
Is it possible to check-in after 7PM?
Late check-in has the following prices to be paid cash on arrival:
- from 7PM to midnight: €35;
- after midnight: €50.
Important: a check-in assistant will wait for you for one hour in the time period you specified. If you anticipate arriving later than the arranged time, you have to call us or send us a message at least 30 minutes before the arranged to reschedule a new check-in time.
Please understand that a person will wait for you late at night just for your check-in!
How much is the City Tax?
The Rome City Tax is €5/night/person. This needs to be paid cash at check-in.
Is breakfast included in the price?
No, breakfast is not included, there are coffee shops downstairs, in the same building.
Do we have to share the room with someone else or is it all for us?
The room and bathroom is all for you, no sharing. You have a key to the room.
Will you leave us the keys of the house at our arrival?
Yes, you will be completely independent.
Can we leave the luggage in the guest house after check-out?
Yes, depending on availibility. You can keep the keys and collect your luggage later. It will be kept in the service room (please ask for confirmation of availability of this service!).
Which floor is the apartment on? Is it ok for the elderly?
The entrance door of the apartment is on the ground floor: there is no need for elevators. The actual rooms are on the 1st floor, besause we are on a hill.
There are four steps up to the main door, and six steps down to the door to the apartment. The elderly usually have no problems. These few steps might, however, be challenging for people with disabilties.
Which languages are spoken by the staff?
Italian, English. Some German and Japanese.
What facilities do the rooms have?
The double rooms “King” and “Queen” have cable TV and a minibar. All rooms offer free super-fast wi-fi. All bathrooms have a hair-dryer, hand and shower soap.
Is there air conditioning in the room?
Yes.
Is the room noisy?
The area around the Vatican City, as is the case with the rest of Rome, is lively during working hours; however the rooms have soundproof windows, and the rooms are quiet inside. At night the neighbourhood is very quiet.
Is the neighborhood safe?
Rome is a large city, and the Vatican area attracts tourists and also pickpockets. There is a strong presence of police around the guesthouse but keep your peronal belongings safe in a hidden pouch while strolling around the city, and especially on public transportation!
Is it a non-smoking apartment?
Yes: please do not smoke nor vape in the room.
Is parking available?
The street has a few free public parking places and paid public parking (blue stripes).
Do you have a pickup or shuttle service from and to the airport?
We can recommend a external pickup services that can arrange a transfer to and from the airport. Please note: This is an external service, not run by us, we decline any responsibility regarding this service.
Is there a restaurant in the neighborhood?
Yes, there is a wide range of restaurants right dowstairs, in the same block, and, of course, all around the Vatican City, as we are in one of the world’s top tourist areas. We would recommend to walk just a few minutes to Trastevere, a lovely romantic area bristling with very good and charming restaurants. Check our Favourite Restaurants page!