Location. This historical hotel occupies a 15th- century palace which housed cardinals for 65 years and priests for 200 years, and lies 400 metres from St Peter's Basilica on the avenue leading to St Peter's Square. Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is 30 kilometres away.
The hotel provides a tranquil atmosphere which invokes its long history as a refuge for cardinals and priests. Frescoed by Pinturicchio and his students, the palace was completed around 1490. It was considered so beautiful that Charles VIII stayed here rather than the Vatican before leading his military expedition to southern Italy. During World War II, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, which traces its origins to the Crusades, purchased the palace. Part of the palace is used by the Order as its headquarters. Since 1950, the remainder has housed Hotel Columbus.
The air- conditioned restaurant features walls and a high vaulted ceiling with original 15th-century frescoes. Other historical features include 16th-century ceiling frescoes by Francesco Salviati and two small 17th-century fountains. Reputedly Rome's first interior garden, the walled courtyard is shaded by laurel trees and is where cocktails and a complimentary buffet breakfast are served in warm weather.
Guestrooms. Hotel Columbus offers 92 air-conditioned guestrooms with street or garden-courtyard views in a four-storey building. Rooms are decorated in a typical Italian style with tiled floors and dark woods. Amenities include high-speed Internet connections (surcharge), minibars, laptop-sized safes, and satellite television. Modern bathrooms come with phones and shower/tub combinations or walk-in showers.
Expert Tip. Unnoticed by most guests, a 15th-century clock on a wall facing the garden courtyard tells the time on sunny days. Protruding from the clock's centre is a long spike that casts shadows on the face's Roman numerals as the day passes.
Property Amenities
Elevator/lift
Air-conditioned public areas
Room service (limited hours)
Meeting room (small groups)
Banquet facilities
Restaurant(s)
Internet public area - wireless
Comp newspapers in lobby
Complimentary breakfast
Currency exchange
Conference room(s)
Dry cleaning service
Concierge services
Business services
Medical assistance available
Ballroom(s)
Safe-deposit box
Event catering
Audiovisual equipment
Bar/lounge
Internet public area - high-speed
Wedding services
Parking (Complimentary)
Internet public area - surcharge
Area Attractions
River Tiber - 300 Metres Ponte Sant'angelo (Pedestrian Bridge) - 400 Metres Sant'angelo Castle (Historical Site) - 400 Metres St Peter's Basilica - 400 Metres Vatican Museums/Sistine Chapel - 800 Metres Piazza Navona - 1 Kilometre (0.5 Miles) Pantheon - 1.5 Kilometres (1 Mile) Via Condotti (Designer Shops) - 1.5 Kilometres (1 Mile) Via Del Corso (Shopping) - 1.5 Kilometres (1 Mile) Trastevere District (Nightlife) - 1.5 Kilometres (1 Mile) Trevi Fountain - 2 Kilometres (1 Mile) Spanish Steps - 2 Kilometres (1 Mile) Capitoline Museums - 2 Kilometres (1 Mile) Villa Borghese Park - 2 Kilometres (1 Mile) Roman Forum - 2.5 Kilometres (1.5 Miles) Coliseum - 3 Kilometres (2 Miles)
Driving Directions
A Taxi Costs Approximately Eur 35. An Express Train (Eur 9.50) Departs Every 30 Minutes To Termini (Central Train Station), Which Is 3.5 Kilometres (2 Miles) From The Hotel. A Taxi From Termini To The Hotel Costs Approximately Eur 10. Metro Line A (Eur 1) From Termini Has A Station (Ottaviano) 800 Metres From The Hotel. All Prices Are Subject To Change.