Farm Home Agriturismo Rodrigo de Vivar - Ostia Antica Rome Ostia

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Family with older children

stayed in Aug 2006

We are a family of 5, 1 boy of 16, and girls of 13 and 8. This resort was a wonderful place. We were in Italy 2 weeks and this was the last place we stayed. It ended up being the perfect way to end our vacation. I wish we had been able to stay longer and explore the ruins and all of the opportunities provided at the resort. We had the country meal with Adele. Not only was it the best food our our entire vacation, it was so much food. I think of her as the Italian grandmother I never had, but wished I did. She extended the most gracious hospitality to us. She is an excellent chef and host. Our accomodations were more than what we were expecting. We were so pleasently surprised when we opened the door. It felt like an Italian Country home. The staff was very pleasant and very accomodating. It seemed that everyone wanted to make sure that our stay was wonderful and everything went well. I would definitely stay here again!!!

Guest name: Craig Snider, USA

Average rating:  9.9

Guest type: Group of friends

stayed in May 2006

Background: renting a car in Italy is more expensive since credit card companies cannot pay the additional indeminity, so renter must. Second, it's 20 percent less to pick up in Rome than at the airport; however, if you pick up in Rome you can still drop it off at the airport and not pay the additional fee. That is what we did. As a consequence we needed a place to stay (four of us traveling together)near the airport the day before departure. We searched the web and mostly found seaside resorty sorts of places (a bit tacky) is Ostia Lido, etc. Then we found Rodrigo de Vivar--what a surprise! This is an unusual farm/quasi-resort. The property is large and complex with many buildings in a beautiful quasiagricultural, equestrian setting. We were housed in a low structure far to the rear (you need a car) to the main area; the rooms were luxurious and interesting. I could not recommend it more highly, and indeed we were very close to the airport. You would never know that you were so close. The downside? Entrance to this oasis is through Ostia Antiqua. The town is exceedingly busy and the main street is apparently a primary thoroughfare for morning and evening traffic. If you get lost you'll have a challenging time finding your way back. The resort's website gives very good instructions. You'll need navigators reading and guiding you while you drive! I had three--challenges inside and outside the car. Still, we found it the first try. Once in the bourg, you're home free. But Ostia Antiqua can be daunting. Note: you could see the Roman ruins from our rooms, which were adjacent. Unfortunately, we were there Monday, when the ancient site was closed. One other downside: we did not eat at the resort's restaurant, which I have no doubt is excellent. However, 40 euros for dinner (or 30 for a light supper) is far too expensive. We felt somewhat as if we were hostage, considering how difficult it was to get around in Ostia proper (that was when we discovered how to make u-

Guest name: Alarik Skarstrom, USA

Average rating:  9.5

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Sep 2005

A wonderful and historic site. The folks running things were very helpful. easy access to trains to Rome and historic sites within walking distance were fantastic.

Guest name: THOMAS DI PAOLO, USA

Average rating:  7.9

Guest type: Group of friends

stayed in May 2005

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Guest name: VP, USA

Average rating:  9.5

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Oct 2004

This hotel is not like any other hotel. It is located in an old walled city next to a castle, and it also has secluded places to stay out in the country. We chose the city and the only bad thing I have to say is that the church bells rang very early in the morning. The ruins are well within walking distance. The town (outside the walls), however, is not too exciting so you need a car to get to more excitement if that is what you are looking for. There are two reccommended restaurants in the area. Getting to the airport is easy if you are driving or the hotel will offer a shuttle. The hotel is a family run business and they do their best to make your stay as happy as possible.

Guest name: LR, USA

Average rating:  8.5

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Sep 2004

Didn't realize there was no air conditioning, but the staff explained that to keep the ambiance it was not allowed. I can accept that. The room fans made sleep OK. The breakfast in the room was excellent. The close proximity to the ruins made it very convenient.

Guest name: Ron Cox, USA

Average rating:  8.2

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Sep 2004

We had an early morning flight from Fiuminico airport, so this was a great choice. Also the ruins are only a 2 minute walk from the hotel, and well worth a visit. During summer months, it can get hot, and there is no a/c. Breakfast is nothing special. Overall, excellent value.

Guest name: RB, USA

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Jul 2004

The "hotel" is historic, unique and in an interesting location, and the "Castle" is a stones throw across the courtyard. All quite charming, except there is no air conditioning and on a hot July night even with the fan blasting, we had to open the windows. Our courtyard is also public walkway and so it was quite noisy late into the night. The Church is just across the courtyard too, and the church bells in the early morning further robbed us of our much needed sleep. On the bright side, the staff could not have been nicer, our room was lovely and included a living room so we had plenty of space and a nice continental breakfast. Pope Julius's Castle is worth the tour, and the ruins of Ostica Antica are well worth an afternoons exploration. This place is best with a car, but the train station is close by and about a 40 min ride to Rome. You have to take a taxi to the airport(there is no direct train)negotiate before hand, we settled on $20.

Guest name: Greg Lahey, USA

Average rating:  5.6

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Jul 2004

Room was extremely hot and uncomfortable I asked for a fan, it did not make much difference. Outside in the piazza there was a large group of noisy teenagers who gathered every night.There were lots of washing racks around the front door and a very strong smell of cats in the hallway - the neighbouring house had around 20 cats living in it. The room was very clean, the breakfast was 1st class, but the heat in the room and the surroundings were not acceptable to us. I should mention the reception staff are very friendly and helpful.

Guest name: Maureen Nicholls, United Kingdom

Average rating:  6.5

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in May 2004

The bed was the only uncomfortable one encountered in three weeks in Italy.

Guest name: CK, USA

Average rating:  9.7

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in May 2004

Thanks for the very warm welcome and the excellent services. Next time we`ll stay longer, to see more from the surrounding and to enjoy your beautyful hotel. :-)

Guest name: Ilona Loock, Germany

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Apr 2004

The only problem we had was getting from Fiumincino airport to the hotel. The taxi driver at the airport did not know where to go. They are probably expecting to drive to central Rome. I lent him my mobile phone to ring so he could find out where to go. When we got there in the town of Ostia Antica even locals were not sure where the Piazza was as it is in fact inside the walls. He let us off outside and we walked around inside till we found it. So directions could be improved. It should clearly say Ostia Antica rather than just Rome. Everything else was wonderful. The beautiful site, next to the castle and the advice given on the excavations and restaurants was fantastic.

Guest name: David Miller, Australia

Average rating:  6.8

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Apr 2004

Driving directions are needed. The place is inside a courtyard and the plaza is not marked outside (we had to ask people where it was). Checkin place hard to find because number 18 is hidden behind the open door-shutter. Web site says: telephone available: there is no telephone in the room. Heating did not work. Employee had to start a fire in the fireplace. It is a very lovely place otherwise.

Guest name: Ulrich Wahli, United States Minor Outlying Islands

Average rating:  9.4

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Feb 2004

The experience was outstanding and the help and hospitality of Viviana was wonderful. The apartment was excellent, but the only "negative" which was not problem, but it was noticeable, is the the apartment had a musty smell that indicated that the building and furnishings were old and probably needed a good cleaning. A treatment with a room air freshner/deodarizer would solve this observation. The location being next to Ostia Antica and Pope Julius II former fortress/castle was fantastic. We would return to this resort. Thanks, and I love the venere web site. I have already planned and booked our next trip with Venere. Kind regards, Ralph Jugo South Miami, FL. USA

Guest name: Ralph Jugo, USA

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Jan 2004

Everything was perfect, except: 1. The map is really bad. It doesn't help at all in finding the property. 2. The 5-10 minute drive to and from Fiumicino was 35 Euro.

Guest name: CB, Mexico

Average rating:  9.9

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Oct 2003

The Borgo was our daily retreat from the crowds and heat of Rome. Ostia Antica is an interesting little town with good food and amazing Roman ruins of its own. We enjoyed every aspect of our stay at Rodrigo de Vivar. The staff and management were helpful, courteous and professional throughout our stay and assisted us with everything from lost luggage to dinner reservations. Rome and Lido di Ostia are easy to reach on the train. We would definitely stay here again.

Guest name: Mark Edelman, USA

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in Oct 2003

We had a perfect time and would stay again.

Guest name: Chuck Gialloreto, USA

Average rating:  9.9

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Oct 2003

The hotel is located in a charming spot right across a small plaza from the castle. Location is quiet and very convenient with easy airport access and only about 10 minutes from the airport. Staff speak English and are very helpful. Three nice restaurants are all within walking distance, less than 1 block from the plaza. This is a great place to stay esp. for the traveller about to depart from the Rome airport. Location is perfect, staff are very helpful and rooms are charming and nice. After 32 days in Italy, this was one of the nicest places we stayed.

Guest name: Paul Matsenbaugh, USA

Average rating:  8.4

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in Sep 2003

i would prefer if it was a bit more quiet as we had noise of people talking even throughout the night...

Guest name: MM, New Zealand

Average rating:  6.1

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Sep 2003

The host was very helpful and friendly once he arrived, but we were there about 3 PM and the place was locked tight until after 6 PM. The setting is great in one way - medieval square beneath a castle - but despite the name, the property is very urban and next to a major and noisy street. VERY convenient to the aiport, however,

Guest name: Harlan Jones, USA

Average rating:  8.5

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in Sep 2003

The location of Rodrigo El Tovar was ideal for what we wanted to do: walking distance to the Ostia Antica ruins and reasonably close to Fiumicino airport. The location and situation inside a medieval borgo was charming and interesting for us but may not be everyone's cup of tea. There were cats and dogs everywhere, and their litter was an obstacle course. The little streets of the borgo, the church and castle are picturesque and give one a feeling of being back in the early Renaissance. The little church is a popular place for weddings, and several took place while we were there. The feeling of antiquity was further enhanced by the furnishings in our comfortable suite. We visited in Autumn, but we would think that conditions in the borgo and in our suite could be a bit stifling in hot Summer weather. The resort and agritourism aspects of Rodrigo El Tovar were at a different location which we did not visit. There were a couple of excellent restaurants in and around the borgo, but very little in the way of shops. Lido di Ostia, however, was full of shops and not very far away. The staff was friendly and responsive to our needs. Their were no public spaces in the hotel, at least not in the immediate area, but we did not need them. On balance, we were pleased with our stay and were glad that we had selected Rodrigo El Tovar over other choices in the area for our short stay.

Guest name: James Maish, USA

Average rating:  9.4

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Sep 2003

Il est assez difficile de trouver l'endroit,car pas indiqué.Le château est la meilleure façon de localiser l'endroit (juste à l'entrée)Nous avons adorés notre séjour de 4 jours.L'absence de climatisation qui semble la normalitée en Europe mais pas en Amérique,est le point négatif.Les gens ont étés formidable durant tout notre séjour. JEAN-YVES PICARD BOUCHERVILLE QUÉBEC

Guest name: JEAN-YVES PICARD, Canada

Average rating:  7.6

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Sep 2003

Rooms old but spacious. No public rooms at the Borgo. Good friendly service. No hesitation in reccomending it.

Guest name: AP, United Kingdom

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Group of friends

stayed in Sep 2003

Please note: when you update your website: give information about the two locatons: insite the burgh and on the country-site. The "table d'hot" concept is very good, but the price is too high per person. The ghost was very hospitable, helpfull. The country-site lokation is very confortable and a convenient lokatie to visit Rome and the beach, as well as the excravation.

Guest name: Nel Frederiks, Netherlands

Average rating:  9.6

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in Sep 2003

We were very pleasantly suprised at the informal atmosphere of the "resort" . However the rooms were nicely designed and outfitted, clean, confortable and the staff was very pleaseant. A nice getaway from the busyness of center of Rome

Guest name: MA, USA

Average rating:  7.8

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Jul 2003

veramente molto suggestivo l'appartamento con vista sul castello di Ostia Antica.

Guest name: Layla Al Ansari, Italy

Average rating:  8.8

Guest type: Couple with children

stayed in Jul 2003

Instead of the room we were expecting, we got a cosy little apartment within the medieval "burgo" and at a stone's throw from the Ostia Antica excavations. Add easy train + metro access to central Rome... what more can you ask?

Guest name: Noru Tsalic, Israel

Average rating:  9.9

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Jul 2003

Did not have a chance to use the hotels amenities, since we got in late and left early for a flight. The only complaint is that the information on the hotel should contain detailed instructions how to get there. The hotel is in the Castle in Ostia center, accessed through an narrow arch in Piazza Umberto.

Guest name: Ed DiPillo, USA

Average rating:  8.8

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Jun 2003

Very nice and spacious apartments. I recommend it very much. Very hard to find when you refer to the map provided. In the center of the city, it is right beside the castle. You turn on the fisrt small street on the left of the castle.

Guest name: Richard Garneau, Canada

Average rating:  8.8

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Jun 2003

I live quite near Ostia Antica where Rodrigo De Vivar is located so I knew very well the surroundings... ... But I could'nt imagine that the resort was so big we had wonderful walks around and thanks to the owner of te resort we had also a wonderful ride with horses Thanks you all We'll be back soon for our next aniversary

Guest name: Alessio Trillò, Italy

Average rating:  9.7

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Jun 2003

Very quaint, charming hotel in beautiful setting. We had a beautiful room/suite at a very reasonable price compared to the other hotels. However, there's not much happening in Ostia Antica.

Guest name: JF, USA

Average rating:  9.1

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in May 2003

After some days sightseeing in Rome the stay in Ostia Antica was the right thing to relax. The roomes are nice and clean, the emloyees try to help wherever they can, breakfast was surprisingly good for italian standards. We stayed at the Borgo, which is quite recommendable if you don't have a car because it's not far away from the station and a few restaurants.

Guest name: Holger Jagersberger, Austria

Average rating:  6.0

Guest type: Family Group

stayed in Jun 2003

Property was located on a public piazza in Ostia Antica which was a noisy location. The web page was misleading because the horseback riding, pool etc. which were available to guests was in a different location. The location was very convenient to the Fiumicino airport.

Guest name: MG, USA

Average rating:  7.4

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in May 2003

we enjoyed our stay once we got there, but it was very very difficult to find. As well as a map, they need to spell out how it is well hidden in a pedestrian piazza, and not easy to spot from the road, especially in the dark

Guest name: Ann Hill, United Kingdom

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in May 2003

Our stay was for proximity to airport for an early am departure. Had we known how delightful it is and exceptional service we would have arrived a couple of days earlier to enjoy the surroundings. Have already recommended to friends traveling this summer.

Guest name: Vincent Genua, Afghanistan

Average rating:  9.6

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in May 2003

My husband and I totally enjoyed our stay at this delightful inn. The receptionist,Francesca, was extremely helpful and pleasant. Our room was decorated nicely,was clean and bathrobes and bath ammenities were provided. It is walking distance to some nice restaurants and the scavi, and is in a tranquil and picturesque setting. The only drawback was finding the place! Better directions need to be included. But now that we know where it is,you can be sure we will stay at this charming hotel whenever we are in the area.

Guest name: Susan Nichols, Italy

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Couple with children

stayed in Apr 2003

I can't say enough good things about our stay here. After 3 exhausting days in Rome, this was paradise. The location of the country house was just out of town down a beautiful tree-lined back road. It is an enjoyable walk past the quaint old farms back into town and the reception area, but they will provide a shuttle whenever needed. The rooms were perfect--antique furniture, down comforters, spacious--as charming and comfortable as can be. The surroundings included many "play areas for the children": a large wood pile, a tree fort, the horses out in the pastures, back roads for bike riding and the Tiber river only a short distance away. The staff were so very helpful and welcoming. They provided us with bikes free of charge during our entire stay and opened up their lovely restaurant for my husband's birthday. They served a wonderfully authentic, homemade Italian meal (with an emphasis on simplicity to please the children). We explored the ruins at Ostia Antica and spent two days shell collecting at the Mediteranean beaches in Lido nearby (2-3 train stops away). We could have just as easily taken the train into Rome for the day. We were given impressive guide books on Ostia Antica and Rome, and the children were pleased to find two Roman coins left in the room as a gift for them before departure. We all enjoyed our stay very much and would recommend the country house to any families in need of a break from the standard Roman holiday. We did miss the instructors for horse riding and archery (due to the Easter holiday) but would have enjoyed this as well had it been available. A special thanks must go to Francesca at reception for all of her help and attention to detail that made our stay so enjoyable. We do hope to return one day.

Guest name: Melanie Stempowski, United Kingdom

Average rating:  9.9

Guest type: Group of friends

stayed in Apr 2003

What a treat. After a week in Rome, we were headed for something a bit quieter. The ruins of Ostia Antica, and this country resort. I had tears in my eyes,,,and I looked out of the window of my bedroom, the view nothing but a castle. Amazing,,,,,an American Flag in the room. The feeling of being welcomed, was more than could be imagined. The little cottage was beautiful. The bathroom beautiful, the beds, beautiful, the towels, amazing. The help was wonderful from the office, and the quaint courtyard of the castle, a tiny Italian town in itself. There were delicious resturants, mere steps from the door. Welcoming neighbors, and a church, not 100 yards across the court yard, where we witnessed 2 beautiful brides be come wives. A tour of the castle, and not even 2 minutes walk from the entrance to the ruins of Ostia Antica. These ruins could likely surpass anything in Rome itself, for being as intact as they are still. We were 20 minutes from the sea, 2 miles from the airport,,,with breakfast rolls, and coffee, delivered to the room, at a time of our choosing. A mini fridge with cold drinks and snacks, were a nice touch,,,upon arrival. A beautiful fireplace, books to read. Charming,,,and would stay here again in a moments notice. Highly recommended. Extremely afforadable. I miss it already.

Guest name: Marcia Vaden, USA

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Heterosexual Couple

stayed in Nov 2002

We felt the location and proxmimity to Rome and transport links very good. The tranquil setting was lovely. We were disappointed with the breakfast as the description indicated there would be items to 'make your breakfast' when there was only coffe and brioche. We understood there were facilities but were unable to access them we therefore only had the option to use the accommodation we were staying in (1 bed suite) The kichen let the property down and we felt that although we had the option to use the kitchen facilities at additional cost the electrics and gas were unsafe. The gas pipe was connected via a jubilee clip and some of the electrical fittings were incomplete. We were expected to eat our breakfast in the kitchen which was in need of remedial work and not suitable for this activity. The rest of the accommodation was lovely and they paid great attention to detail which was very welcoming.

Guest name: Rosalind Cummings, United Kingdom