Great location, basic hotel, good price

For anyone who wants an inexpensive (I guess 98 Euros per night for a room with a private bath is now considered "inexpensive") basic room in a fabulous location - this would be a good choice. The rooms and bathroom are very clean, but don't expect anything too charming. I'd stay there again, because I'm in Rome to see the sites...not to hang out in the room! You can't beat the location near the metro stop and the Spanish Steps, shops, and excellent restaurants. We walked everywhere. My only negative is that I think the front desk folks could be friendlier to guests. And, when my Roman friend tried to leave a phone messege they said they were too busy to write it down! Otherwise, a good choice, but work on those hospitality skills.

All Around Excellent Value

If you are in Rome for any period of time, budget conscious, and don't want schlep luggage to/from Termini or around the city- this is an ideal option. Panda is a quick <5 min walk from Spanish Steps and Spagna Metro stop, right in the thick of the shopping (which does quiet down at night) and cafes/restaurant (bit more overpriced than Fiori and Navona area). Day and night, Spanish Steps are vibrant and buzzing, <15 min walk to Trevi, Navona, Pantheon, etc.

Great Location and Deal

Hotel Panda is in a great location! Only a 3 minute walk to the Spanish steps. There are lots of nice restaurants and cafes near the hotel. The room we had was small but cute. Very nicely decorated. We also had a small bathroom. Everything was clean. The people at the desk were nice, but not always helpful. We needed to make an outgoing phone call and were having difficulties, and the girl up front was not very helpful. However, one of the other girls was nice and called us a car to take us to the airport. Overall, I would recommend the hotel.

Wonderful Location, Nice for the Price

Pensione Panda is on Via Della Croce, about five minutes from the Spanish Steps, very convenient to most of the tourist sites. I walked all over and only took the Metro to get to and from Termini Station. I had a single room without private bath, though I only had to share the bathroom the last night of my five-night stay, so it was almost like a private bathroom. No TV, but a radio speaker in the room. Looked like it had been recently remodeled with some nice decorator touches, especially in the hallways. Small room but well-designed. Price was off-season price of 42 euros a night, if memory serves. Would repeat.

Hotel Panda a fabulous find!

First, I have to say I wasn't sure how close the Panda would be to the Spanish Steps, and I was extremely pleased that it was only a block or two from them! We got off the metro and walked right to the hotel, easily! On top of this, it's on a great, upscale street, with shops and restaurants. (One street over has all the big name stores: Gucci, Prada, Dior, etc.) But, the cost of the hotel is not upscale, and that is the real deal here. You can stay in Rome for less, (but not too much less) but you will not be in such a safe, central, enjoyable location as with the Panda. From this hotel, you are within walking distance to all the great sites. We walked everywhere, only taking the metro from the train station to the hotel!

OK but not for everybody

Stayed at Hotel Panda at the beginning and end of 3 week trip to Italy in Oct, 2004.

Great value

Let me qualify this review by saying it's been a couple of years since I stayed here... but this was a great place to stay, especially if on a budget. I went travelling through europe with my cousin for three weeks, and Rome was our last stop. By this time, we had spent a lot of money, so it was great to find out we had such an great place to stay at such a reasonable price. Yes, we had to share a bathroom with the rest of the floor, but there were two bathrooms and they were clean and well maintained. For an American, the rooms are kind of smallish, but standard by European standards. The rooms are also very clean and well maintained. The room had a sink, which was convenient. We had one double bed, but it seemed more like a one-and-a-half bed. If you can get a room with two singles, then that may be better. Aside from that, the place is great. The people were friendly and it is in a great location near the Spanish Steps. Therefore, there are lots of great restaurants and cafes, shops and even the train station all within walking distance.

New In Rome

Lovely and clean but the doors of the rooms were difficult to open and the hinges needed oiling.

Two members of staff on reception were rude and not interested in helping particularly with booking taxis other than the one they like to use which we found was 10 Euro's more expensive than the mini bus that you can take from the airport to the hotel. Hotels recommended taxi 45 euro as opposed to 30 euro's for two people.

Would not recommend it for anyone who is a beginner in Rome.

Great deal in Rome!!

We just returned from a 4 day trip to Rome and we decided to stay at the Panda Pesione. We were a little leary at first because we had to share a bathroom. But the hotels in Rome are so expensive, we decided to try this one. It was 68 Euro a night with a shared bathroom. It was a block away from the Spanish steps, great location!!! The rooms were tiny, you could hardly walk around the bed. The room had a sink in it, which was nice. They were very clean and the bathroom situation wasn't bad either. Great restuarants and shopping right outside the door. I would definitly stay there again.

Great Value

The Panda was a clean, quaint and excellently located pensione with a flavor of locals and tourists. The price was very reasonable, though the rooms are quite small by U.S. standards. Close to the Spanish Steps, morning coffee, great shopping, nice resturants and nite life are but afew minutes walk. The rooms are on the second floor with no lift and ther is no parking.