March 2025. We’re embarking on a train trip to Sicily. We fly from Brussels Airport to Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport with ITA Airways. Then we take an Intercity Notte sleeper train by Trenitalia from Roma Termini Railway Station across Italy to Syracuse. Yes, the train is loaded on a ferry to cross the Strait of Messina. After visiting Syracuse, Catania and Palermo, we return to Rome, and home. With 25,832 km², Sicily is only 20% smaller than Belgium (30,689 km²). Quite a lot in four days.

The Sofitel in Rome is only a small hotel (for a Sofitel) located in a quiet side street near the Villa Borghese Park.

While the location at first looks and feels a bit random, you get why when you arrive on the 7^th floor restaurant and its panoramic view over the city. There are hardly better places to spot the iconic skyline of Rome.

Our arrival was very warm and welcoming, they rushed to open the doors for us and take our bags. Check-in was fast and efficient and we were shown to the lift while our bags where brought upstairs. Despite our early arrival after our night train from Palermo, we lucked out in having the room ready for us so we could have a quick shower and freshen up before hitting the eternal city.

The room itself was beautiful and welcoming. There were two separate beds pushed together in the middle, with both 230 v Ac power and USB-A plugs. On Timothy’s side this plug was damaged and would move, making charging difficult.

There was a nice big closet with slippers, bathrobes and a safe. There was also a well-stocked minibar, 3 complimentary bottles of water and of course tea and coffee facilities.

In the corner there was a round table with a chair and a poof, as there was no proper desk this is what you would need to work on.

The ceiling of the room also had a wonderful painting on it, making it a joy to wake up and look up to.

The bathroom was nice and spacious and beautifully clad with white marble. There was a very big walk in shower, with even a bench to sit on, a rain shower head and a handheld shower head.

Water pressure in the rain shower head however was very low with almost only a trickle coming out of it, thus it was better to use the hand held shower head for a proper shower. The toiletries where from the luxury brand Diptyque and wall-mounted multiple use containers. The bathroom also had a sink with a very large workspace next to it, a toilet and a bidet.

Timothy also found a gym to work-out in in the morning but noted that they only had very little equipment and nothing to clean up after you.

The restaurant on the 7^th floor Settimo had a wonderful panoramic view over the city. In the evening we had a 5-course dinner here for €95 per person, which we deemed a sharp price for this setting and menu. A 3-glass wine paring would be €35 which was also very reasonable. As we would be flying home the next day we opted to only have 1 glass of Alcohol each, Timothy opted for a glass of Prosecco while I opted for one of the signature cocktails. The meal was delicious and balanced, we felt well fed but not overeaten after.

In the morning there was an extensive breakfast buffet, with hot drinks and orange juice served to you at the table. The buffet offered ample choices to suit your taste and was kept perfectly stoked up. All ingredients where fresh and of high-quality.

We were very much pleased with our stay at the Sofitel Rome, it was very much on the same level as my stay at the Sofitel Legend in Amsterdam. It was clearly a level above the Sofitel in Luxembourg, but the price also reflected that. I would definably stay here again next time in Rome and can only recommend staying here. The only downside is that it doesn’t have a pool or spa, if you want a hotel featuring that I would recommend the Radisson Collection Palazzo Montemartini near the station.

Sicily & Rome 2025

1. REVIEW | Brussels Airport Diamond Lounge at A-Gates.
2. REVIEW | ITA Airways Business Class Brussels to Rome.
3. ROME | Afternoon tea at Hotel Hassler Roma on top of the Spanish Steps.
4. REVIEW | Trenitalia Intercity Notte in Superior (Excelsior) Class.
5. SICILY | Neapolis Archeological Park of Syracuse.
6. SYRACUSE | Ortygia.
7. REVIEW | Boutique Hotel Caportigia Syracuse.
8. SICILY | Catania.
9. ITALY | Trains in Sicily.
10. REVIEW | NH Palermo.
11. SICILY | Palermo Cathedral.
12. PALERMO | Palazzo dei Normanni, the Royal Palace of the Normans in Sicily.
13. PALERMO | Palazzo Butera in the Kalsa neighbourhood.
14. SICILY | Palermo.
15. SICILY | Syracuse – Catania – Palermo + Agrigento – Taormina – Cefalù.
16. REVIEW | Trenitalia Intercity Notte in Deluxe Class.
17. ROME | Exploring EUR or Esposizione Universale Roma.