But how sad are the hotels "near" Fiumicino: review Hilton Garden Inn

There was a time, not very long ago, in which Rome Fiumicino was not the best airport in Europe, it didn't have 5 Skytrax stars, and if you had a connection you had to know the Pope (or have a friend in Alitalia) to have reasonable assurance that your luggage would also end up on your plane.

Those days are long gone. More than 50mln passengers passed through the gates of the Roman airport this year, but the problem is. when you step outside the doors of T1, or T3, you are faced with a completely different reality.

Illegal taxi drivers, official taxi drivers trying to rip off the unsuspecting traveler, and airport hotels stuck in the 1990s. At least as far as Marriott and Hilton are concerned.

Without go to Munich or Singapore, just go to the Sheraton Malpensa To have a much better product, But the Moxy is also not bad at all.

Reservation

Mine was a last-minute reservation, a quick trip to Rome solely to go see the new (and spectacular) Prima Vista First Class Lounge. The Hilton connected to the air terminal I had already reviewed. in the past, I didn't feel like taking a car or cab to get to the Marriot or Sheraton and The only thing missing from the roll call of reviews was this Hilton.

The price for one night was about €145, which is expensive, but the strange thing is that all hotels near Fiumicino are on average more expensive than at other airports.

The shuttle

An airport hotel without a shuttle is only good if you can walk to the gate without crossing a street, in all other cases it MUST be there and must be free.

Here the shuttle is there, but it is not exclusive it is a scheduled service that takes passengers (and workers) to a number of remote parking lots and other commercial areas around the airport.

You pick up outside T3 and if it rains you get wet, because the wait is without a shelter or anything.

The stop, however, is right in front of the hotel door.

Check-in

I arrived and along with me on the bus were five other passengers. There was only one attendant at the desk.

I am flanked by a person in a Ryanair uniform and asked if he could pass me. and as a good passenger I always give way to those who work. This person approaches the desk and says he forgot his keys in room nXXX. To my amazement the attendant, without asking anything else, issued a new card.

When my turn came, the transactions took a long time due to the simple fact that they could not charge the expense on the card in the system, but wanted the physical one. Of course I was not given any warm welcome, but a quick glance and not even the textbook greeting "Thank you for your loyalty..."

The room

No upgrade, but I didn't crave it. A sad room, like the whole facility.

A mattress that is probably from results and was salvaged from a hotel that closed due to bankruptcy in the 1990s, really embarrassing, the worst mattress of a Hilton I've ever found.

A third bed was also in the room, obviously not requested. A not too large television, which I didn't even turn on, and the usual amenities of a Garden Inn.

The view from the room, gave in the distance, and in the daylight, a chance to admire the Fiumicino apron, the one that houses former Alitalia corpses.

Standard bathroom, with shower inside the tub, also very 1990s.

The structure

I admit, I didn't have much time to tour the hotel. Also because I arrived late and left early.

There is a small pantry right in front of the front desk and a gymnasium that I did not visit.

Breakfast

Adhering to HH rules breakfast or points is offered, even to the Diamonds. It is served on the ground floor, on the side opposite the pantry.

Buffet as per specifications, neat environment and well presented. Let's say the best thing about the hotel.

In conclusion

I really wouldn't know what to recommend in the FCO area, they are one sadder than the other.

• hotels near airport