Lonely Planet Review
Bernini's Elefantino trumpets the presence of the grand old Minerve, one of Rome's historic hotels. A favourite of 19th-century grand tourists, it owes its current look to architect Paolo Portoghesi's 1990 renovation. Rooms vary; some have original 17th-century wood-beamed ceilings, others have frescoes and four-poster beds.
The understated 17th-century facade gives no indication of the lavish interior that waits guests through the revolving doors. With its Art Deco stained-glass ceiling and 19th-century statue of Minerva (one of a collection of sculptures by Rinaldo Rinaldi), the airy lobby looks as once the 1st-class state rooms of the Titanic might have looked. The rooms, divided into deluxe and superior, are not so extravagant although they're far from spartan. King-size beds come with leather bedsteads, floors are hardwood or carpeted, while bathrooms are marble-clad and big; the jacuzzi bathtubs are a further plus. Some rooms have views of the nearby Pantheon but note that those overlooking the piazza can be noisy. The pricey rooftop restaurant is beautiful. One room is equipped with disabled facilities.
Review by author
Duncan Garwood