A quirky hotel in a great location: A review of The Tribune Hotel, part of JdV by Hyatt

The Tribune Hotel is a fun boutique-style property under Hyatt’s Joie de Vivre brand. It’s one of the few Hyatt hotels in Rome where you can earn and redeem World of Hyatt points, which could simplify your choices since the Eternal City has many hotel options. The Tribune was flagged as the first (and only) JdV property in Italy in 2021 after the hotel was fully renovated.

During my recent stay, I found it to have many appealing attributes, though temper your expectations. It’s rather quirky and lacks the over-the-top luxury you may expect from a hotel stay, so if that’s your jam, know that there are better options in Rome. Still, this is a great hotel for Hyatt loyalists and can be an economical way to see what can otherwise be a very expensive European visit, as it’s readily available to book with points.

Here are the things to love and not love about this cute boutique hotel.

The Tribune Hotel snapshot

Within striking distance of many of Rome’s famous attractions, The Tribune Hotel is located off Via Veneto, next door to the famous Villa Borghese park in the Ludovisi neighborhood. The Spanish Steps are about a 15-minute walk away, and the Roman Forum is about 30 minutes away on foot.

Built in the 1980s, the building’s drab exterior belies its interior’s contemporary flair. Inviting public spaces feature art deco accents, stylish rooms are well appointed and fine Italian cuisine is served on the rooftop terrace, Terrazza Borghese. As a boutique hotel, you can expect amenities to be limited, but in addition to its destination restaurants, there’s also a small gym.

Walking inside past the grim exterior, you enter a dark disco-like lobby (think: lots of black, gold and dark purple) that feels more like a 1930s supper club than a hotel.

The friendly front-desk folks were happy to see me despite the late hour of my arrival. Service at the hotel was unobtrusive, and employees were eager to please, never neglecting to ask if I needed a taxi or directions.

The hotel was generally filled with Americans and Europeans during my stay, though the chic rooftop restaurant appeared to attract more locals. For me, though, the hotel was all about the location. Being a short walk away from the Trevi Fountain and other major attractions was incredible.

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Why you’ll love The Tribune Rome

The Tribune Rome has a lot to offer guests who prioritize value and location over expansive amenities and historical charm. For Hyatt loyalists sitting on a stash of points, the hotel is especially appealing. Not to mention, Globalist status will go a long way here.

In a city where real estate is at a premium, thoughtfully appointed rooms are modern, comfortable and relatively spacious, although the bathroom layout can pose some challenges. Rome’s theatrical street life below could also prove a little too noisy for light sleepers.

The Tribune Hotel represents a decent value on points or cash

TPG booked The Tribune Hotel for about $424 a night (including about $8 in city taxes). I earned a total of 3,944 World of Hyatt points for using my World of Hyatt Credit Card, which gives 4 points per dollar spent on Hyatt purchases (including those made at JdV properties). I also earned a total of 5,630 points from linking my World of Hyatt account, which included a 30% Globalist bonus. That’s a whopping 9,574 World of Hyatt points for a two-night stay, worth about $163, according to TPG’s current valuations.

You can book The Tribune Hotel for as little as 12,000 World of Hyatt points per night, which would be an incredible value, in my opinion. Rates can jump as high as 36,000 World of Hyatt points per night during peak dates for a premium room, but I’d still say that’s a pretty good value.

Rooms are modern and spacious with nice bathrooms

The Tribune Hotel has 52 rooms and suites full of contemporary design features. I loved my large room with a welcome amenity of a fresh fruit platter (thanks to my World of Hyatt Globalist status). That amenity was sitting on a small work desk that was great for using my laptop. There were a single European-style outlet and a USB outlet nearby as well.

Beyond the desk area, there was a large living area and a comfy king-size bed. Geometric black and white shapes popped with a smattering of bold colors on details like the bedding.

There was also a small balcony with views of the less picturesque parts of the city and the ancient Roman Aurelian walls.

Room amenities I particularly enjoyed include the Illy coffee maker, the shelf of snacks and the minifridge full of free beverages, including Yoga pear juice, Mionetto prosecco and Peroni beer.

There was a large marble-clad bathroom with a bidet and a toilet in a separate water closet, though it was in a bit of an awkward space that wasn’t fully closed off from the sleeping area. The floating shower had good water pressure, but the glass walls were completely open to the rest of the room.

The hotel sits in the heart of the city

As I mentioned above, I loved the location of the hotel. The neighborhood surrounding the property has lost some of its shine since the height of its “La Dolce Vita” fame (the 1960 film by Federico Fellini that starred a young Sophia Loren was filmed in the area). Still, it’s having a bit of a rebirth thanks to several major hotel openings, including the InterContinental just down the street that started welcoming guests this year.

I took full advantage of the hotel’s location within walking or driving distance of many of Rome’s main sites. I walked about 40 minutes to the Colosseum via the Forum, and I took an Uber to the Vatican as well during my stay. The latter was only a 15-minute car ride away.

The U.S. embassy is also close by, as are a ton of shopping and dining options. And when you’re flying in and out of the city, you’ll find Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) about a 40-minute taxi ride away.

Delicious Italian food and stunning views are available at the rooftop venue

I had a great meal at the rooftop Terrazza Borghese, which overlooks the lush Villa Borghese park.

As an appetizer, I had the cacio e pepe (pasta with Roman cheese and pepper), which was absolutely delicious. It had a price tag of $19.50. To accompany my pasta, I ordered a tasty side of Brussels sprouts for about $11. The perfect ending to dinner was the creamy cheesecake for around $11. It was easily one of the best desserts I’ve ever had.

During the day, you can also venture to the rooftop to take in the views and get bar snacks and drinks. The restaurant and its Bubbles Bar are open from 12:30 p.m. to midnight daily.

A great hotel breakfast is included

A few steps off the main lobby, you’ll find the breakfast lounge where there’s a large spread of food and beverages (and fresh espresso drinks).

I had breakfast there twice during my stay. In addition to a large hot and cold buffet, there was a small menu with various a la carte items. It was an impressive spread, especially considering room rates cover breakfast (excluding special orders).

During my stay, I enjoyed made-to-order omelets that were prepared well and quickly. An omelet will cost between $8 and $10, depending on what you have in it. It was free for me as part of my Globalist benefits, but you’ll need to pay extra for them if you don’t have top-tier World of Hyatt status.

There’s a fine gym for squeezing in a quick workout

The Tribune Hotel had a small gym on the basement level equipped with Technogym machines and weights. There were a treadmill, an elliptical machine and a stationary bike. Unusual for a small gym, this facility also had a full set of dumbbells.

Why you might not love The Tribune Hotel

The Tribune has a lot going for it, but there are some substantial drawbacks. It can be noisy, and the views aren’t great from most rooms. The building itself is a bit brutalist from the outside and won’t win any beauty contests. You’ll also want to book elsewhere if you are looking for a hotel with a lot of amenities.

Thin walls and street noise are noticeable drawbacks

The hotel does not sit in a new building. As such, the walls are thin, and the tile floors, while lovely, tend to make sound travel farther. This can be problematic if you are a light sleeper, though it didn’t bother me enough to prevent sleep.

There aren’t a lot of on-site amenities

Other than a small gym and a rooftop eatery with a bar, there aren’t many amenities at The Tribune Hotel. You won’t find a spa or swimming pool like you would at a larger property. That said, you are in the Eternal City, so you’ll likely spend most of your time away from the hotel anyway.

Alternatives to The Tribune Hotel

If The Tribune Hotel isn’t your style, there are plenty of other Roman hotels to choose from.

• Another great hotel for World of Hyatt loyalists is Palazzo Manfredi, part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. It regularly wows visitors with its top-notch service, spacious rooms and phenomenal rooftop views.
• Not far away is one of the most luxurious hotels in the Eternal City: Hotel de la Ville. Be warned, though, that this hotel at the top of the iconic Spanish Steps will break the bank, with rooms starting at over $1,000 a night.
• If you are a Marriott Bonvoy fan, there are lots of choices, including two properties near The Tribune Hotel. The W Rome is a more modern and trendy option built atop two 19th-century palazzos, with prices starting around $450 a night. There’s also The Rome Edition, a slightly more upscale and luxurious option with rooms starting at over $700 a night.
• If you want to stay at an IHG hotel, check out the aforementioned brand-new InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace, which is also close to the Edition in the up-and-coming Via Veneto area.
• Hilton fans are in luck, too, as there are no less than 10 hotels in Rome and the surrounding suburbs. Perched on top of Monte Mario, one of Rome’s tallest hills, is the Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria hotel you can stay at starting at $312 or 80,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Related: A review of American Airlines business class on the 777 from Rome to New York

Accessibility at The Tribune Hotel

Here’s where The Tribune Hotel really misses the mark. Accessibility is not a strength of this hotel. There are a ton of stairs, irregular surfaces and a tiny elevator.

The hotel was not really designed with wheelchairs in mind. I asked several times about rooms that were fully accessible, and the hotel was only able to confirm that a single room on the ground level was accessible. I did get the sense that the hotel was aware it was an issue, as they seemed to be working on resolving it.

Stairs lead to the front entrance of the hotel, and there are also stairs going down to the lobby where the hotel serves breakfast. The lobby level only has one small elevator that isn’t wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair.

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CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Checking out of The Tribune Hotel

The Tribune Hotel is a great option for World of Hyatt fans. It sits in a fabulous location near some of the most important sites in Rome. I loved using the hotel as a base for long hikes around the city. While the hotel doesn’t offer over-the-top luxury, it covers all the basics, including clean rooms, comfortable beds and good service. The quirky, modern design is fun without being too hip for its own good.

However, there are a few drawbacks, including the lack of amenities, a frankly ugly exterior and rooms that can be noisy. Despite all of that, The Tribune Hotel is a relative bargain in an otherwise expensive Roman hotel landscape. I would go back if the price was right.

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