Spring House Hotel Rome Vatican Review – A Hilton Stay Steps from St. Peter’s Basilica

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Spring House Hotel Rome Vatican Review

Having visited Rome multiple times, I took my trip last summer to celebrate the 2025 Jubilee Year of the Catholic Church in Rome and Vatican City. Jubilee Years are significant religious events that traditionally occur once every 25 years and mark a Holy Year for Catholics worldwide. Although they historically followed a strict 25-year cycle, in more recent times, additional Jubilee events have been held more frequently.

The Vatican hosts a wide range of religious celebrations and pilgrimages throughout a Jubilee Year, drawing visitors and pilgrims from across the globe. Each Jubilee carries a particular theme, and the theme for 2025 was “Hope.” The Jubilee Year ran from December 24, 2024, through January 6, 2026, and is not a single event but rather a collection of religious celebrations and gatherings held throughout the year.

A central part of the pilgrimage experience during a Jubilee is visiting the four Papal Basilicas of Rome and passing through their Holy Doors, which are ceremonially opened by the Pope only during Jubilee Years. Because my primary goal for this trip was to visit the Vatican and walk through the Holy Doors, choosing a hotel within easy walking distance of St. Peter’s Square and the Vatican became the most important factor in deciding where to stay.

Booking and Getting There

My journey to Rome began in Toronto at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). I booked a direct flight to Rome using 47,000 Aeroplan points plus $74 CAD in taxes, which secured me an economy class ticket (Air Canada International Economy Review).

During the 24-hour check-in window, my Aeroplan 25K status, combined with holding a premium Aeroplan credit card, allowed me to select an emergency-exit aisle seat. The extra legroom made a noticeable difference on the long overnight flight.

Because the main purpose of the trip was to spend time around the Vatican and visit the Papal Basilicas, I specifically searched for hotels that were within walking distance of Vatican City. During that search, I came across The Spring House Hotel Rome Vatican, a property that had recently joined Hilton after previously operating as a Best Western. The hotel had been converted to the Hilton brand less than twelve months prior to my visit and is located less than five minutes from Vatican City and the Vatican Museums.

I booked a four-night stay for 276,000 Hilton Honors points, which worked out to roughly 69,500 points per night. The points came from my U.S. American Express Hilton Aspire Card, which provides complimentary Hilton Diamond status along with several annual statement credits that help offset the card’s annual fee.

A comparable cash stay would have cost €925, which translates to approximately $1,480 CAD using a 1.6 exchange rate. From a pure redemption perspective, the value was not exceptional, as Hilton points are generally worth about 0.5 US cents per point, and this redemption worked out to about 0.5 Canadian cents per point. Even so, redeeming points still meant avoiding a $1,480 cash expense, so it remained a worthwhile use of points for this particular trip.

That said, paying nearly 70,000 Hilton points per night did feel somewhat high for this property. For comparison, it is sometimes possible to find standard availability at the Waldorf Astoria Rome Cavalieri for 90,000 points per night, which offers a significantly more luxurious experience.

Getting from Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to the city center is straightforward. Taxis and Uber charge a flat rate of €55 to central Rome. Instead, I opted to try a shared shuttle service called MySafePlace. The ride cost €30, though the price can drop to €20 per person depending on how many travellers share the shuttle. The company has kiosks at every terminal at FCO, and one advantage is that the shuttle drops passengers directly at their hotels.

Another option is to take the Leonardo Express train from the airport to Rome Termini Station, then take Metro Line A to Cipro station, which is approximately a five- to ten-minute walk from the hotel.

In terms of location, the hotel is exceptionally convenient. Leaving the hotel’s main entrance, turn right and follow the road, which leads directly to the staircase that leads to the Vatican Museums entrance. It is difficult to find a hotel from a major global brand that is closer to the Vatican than this property.

Check-in and King Deluxe Room with Balcony

Check-in at the hotel was smooth and efficient. When I arrived, the hotel was fully booked due to a large group reservation, which initially meant I might have to move rooms after the first night if I wanted to receive an upgrade.

However, the reception staff worked behind the scenes to resolve the situation and secured an upgrade without requiring me to change rooms during my stay. Their flexibility and willingness to help immediately set a positive tone for the visit.

Two members of the front desk team, Chiara and Lorenzo, stood out for their exceptional service. They were attentive throughout my stay and even greeted me by name when I came down for breakfast or booked time in the sauna. Small gestures like this made the experience feel far more personal and memorable.

Originally, I had booked a King Standard Room measuring 226 square feet. Because of my Hilton Diamond status, the hotel offered an upgrade to the King Duplex Suite, which measures 387 square feet and spans two levels.

Before deciding, I asked the reception team if I could view both rooms. After seeing them, I ultimately chose the King Deluxe Room with Balcony, which measures 269 square feet. The Duplex Suite, although larger, was on the ground floor and lacked a balcony, whereas the Deluxe Room offered outdoor space and felt more appealing overall.

Upon entering the room, the bathroom is located immediately to the side. It includes a shower, sink, bidet, and toilet, along with a sliding door that provides privacy from the rest of the room. Just outside the bathroom area, there is a full-length mirror and two clothing hooks before the main bedroom.

The king bed sits in the center of the room with two nightstands, each equipped with lamps and charging stations. To the right of the bed is a small hospitality station with a mini fridge, kettle, and coffee machine. One noticeable omission was the absence of a microwave, as well as an iron and an ironing board.

Next to the closet is a small safe along with ample hangers and shelving space for clothing. While there was adequate space to hang items, the room lacked traditional drawers for clothing storage. Across from the bed is a flat-screen television, and beneath it sits a small table with two gold-colored chairs placed on a throw rug.

At the far end of the room is the walk-out balcony, which features two patio chairs and a small patio table. The balcony is spacious enough to comfortably accommodate two or more people and offers a pleasant outdoor space for relaxation.

My room was on the third floor, and while the view itself was not particularly remarkable, guests on the seventh floor said they could see the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica from their rooms. The view is not directly visible from inside the room, but stepping onto the balcony and looking slightly to the left reveals the dome in the distance. I was told that Room 170 on the seventh floor offers one of the better vantage points for that view.

Breakfast – Spring House Hotel Rome Vatican

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant located on the main floor adjacent to the lobby. Thanks to Hilton Diamond status, breakfast was complimentary and available daily from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

The restaurant itself is a large open space featuring dark blue and light blue chairs paired with ivory-colored tables. Despite the hotel being sold out during my stay, the breakfast area never appeared overly crowded and rarely exceeded about half capacity. Guests also have the option to sit outdoors if they prefer.

The breakfast spread included a good variety of hot and cold options. Hot selections consisted of scrambled eggs, bacon, rice, roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, and ready-to-eat sandwiches. Cold items included fresh fruit, yogurt, and a selection of sliced meats and cheeses. In addition to these items, there was a range of breads and pastries, cereals, and dedicated coffee and juice stations. Overall, the breakfast selection offered a solid range of choices and felt appropriate for a four-star hotel.

The restaurant also serves lunch and dinner, with the kitchen operating until 10:30 p.m. and the restaurant closing at 11:00 p.m. In the evening, the hotel offers a happy hour from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For €20, guests can order a cocktail with a platter of finger foods, including bruschetta, sliced meats and cheese, croquettes, and polenta fries.

Amenities – Gym, Sauna, Jacuzzi / Steam Room

The hotel offers several wellness amenities for guests. The gym, located downstairs, is relatively small but functional. It contains two treadmills, one exercise bike, free weights, yoga balls, and a water cooler. A flat-screen television faces the treadmills, and the facility remains open 24 hours a day.

Next to the gym is the sauna, which requires a special key obtained from the reception desk. The sauna operates from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. Upon entering the sauna area, guests encounter a refreshment table stocked with citrus-infused water, hot water, and a selection of teas. Complimentary towels and bathrobes are available beneath the table.

To the right of the refreshment area is a relaxation room furnished with four dark brown reclining sofas, which are ideal for relaxing after using the sauna. To the left are two showers and the dry Finnish sauna itself. Aromatherapy oils are available inside the sauna and create a pleasant scent that enhances the relaxing environment.

Another wellness space is located between the first and second floors, where guests will find an outdoor terrace featuring both indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis, along with a steam room. These facilities operate from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and do not require reservations.

The terrace area features several seating options, including cushioned lounge chairs, bar-style tables, and even a couple’s swing. The outdoor Jacuzzi sits on the right side of the terrace, while inside a gray enclosed room, guests will find the indoor Jacuzzi, steam room, shower, and a water cooler.

During my stay, the weather was perfect, and spending time in the outdoor Jacuzzi while watching the sunset became one of the most relaxing parts of the experience. Each table on the terrace includes a QR code linking to the restaurant menu, and guests can have meals delivered directly to the terrace by dialling 910 from the phone behind a sliding door across from the swing chairs. This makes the terrace an excellent place to relax and enjoy a meal without leaving the hotel.

Jubilee Year in Rome

Because my visit coincided with the Jubilee Year, much of my time in Rome was spent visiting the four Papal Basilicas associated with the pilgrimage. Travelling between these sites was easiest using Rome’s public transportation system.

A weekly transit pass costs €29, and I found both the buses and the metro to be frequent and reliable.

The Vatican recommends downloading the official Jubilee app and registering for time slots to walk through the Holy Doors. In practice, I did not find this necessary. While St. Peter’s Basilica often had longer lines due to its popularity, entry into the other basilicas was extremely efficient and usually took less than five minutes once security screening was completed.

Takeaway

Overall, I would rate The Spring House Hotel Rome Vatican an 8 out of 10.

For travellers whose primary focus is visiting the Vatican, the hotel’s location is arguably its greatest advantage. It is one of the closest hotels to a major global brand, such as Hilton, Marriott, or Hyatt, that can be booked using loyalty points, and being able to walk to the Vatican Museums or St. Peter’s Square in just a few minutes is incredibly convenient.

Guests should note that Rome charges a tourist tax of €7.50 per person per day, which is not covered by points bookings. However, travellers holding certain U.S. Hilton American Express cards that provide quarterly Hilton credits may be able to offset some of this cost.

The highlights of the stay included the spacious room by Roman standards, the solid breakfast offering, and the exceptional service from the hotel staff, particularly Chiara and Lorenzo, who consistently went out of their way to ensure a comfortable stay.

There were a couple of minor drawbacks. The hotel has only one guest elevator, which can lead to short waits during busy morning checkout times. Additionally, the points redemption rate felt somewhat high compared with other Hilton properties in Rome.

Nevertheless, the convenience of staying within walking distance of the Vatican makes this hotel an excellent choice for travellers focused on visiting Vatican City. Overall, it was a very enjoyable stay in Spring House Hotel Rome Vatican, and I would gladly return on a future visit.

For those already planning ahead, the next Holy Year in the Catholic Church is scheduled for 2033.

Buon viaggio! ✈️