On December 24, 2025, the day I traveled from Paris to Rome, I stayed one night at Hotel Franklin Feel The Sound.
The main plan for that day was attending Christmas Eve Mass at the Vatican. It was a long day: I landed at Paris Charles de Gaulle, made my way to Orly, and then flew on to Rome. So when I booked my first hotel in Rome, location was the first thing I looked at.
Table of Contents
Why I Chose This Hotel
Because it was the Christmas season, there weren’t many rooms left, but I didn’t want to just pick anything. Even for a single night, I wanted a clean room and a simple breakfast the next morning. And since Mass would end late at night, I needed a place I could walk back to from the Vatican. This hotel fit those conditions, so I booked it.
About a 10-Minute Walk from Ottaviano Station
From Rome Fiumicino Airport, I took the Leonardo Express to Termini, then switched to Metro Line A and got off at Ottaviano station. The hotel is about a 10-minute walk from the station, which was a manageable distance with a suitcase in tow.
St. Peter’s Square is about a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Being able to walk back after Mass late at night, without having to figure out transportation, was the biggest reason I chose this place.
The exterior isn’t flashy, and it doesn’t look like a big hotel. It sits quietly among the other buildings on the street, so it would be easy to walk right past it. I kept checking Google Maps again and again as I walked.
The Music Theme in the Lobby
As the name suggests, the hotel is decorated with a music theme throughout.
There were round sofas in the lobby, music-related decorations on one wall, and a few instruments on display. The theme wasn’t overdone, but the hotel’s concept was clearly visible. I like hotels with a bit of personality, so my first impression was a good one.
Hallway and Room
After checking in, I headed up to my room.
I hadn’t set my expectations high, since I’d booked it with limited options during the holiday season, but everything from the hallway to the room felt clean and well maintained.
The room wasn’t large or fancy, but the size was perfectly fine for one person staying one night. When I travel, I care more about cleanliness than luxury in a place to stay, and in that respect I was satisfied.
The Music Theme Continues in the Room
The music concept carried over into the room as well.
Small design details were music-themed, and there was a music device in the room.
I didn’t check whether it actually played music or was just part of the decor. Either way, it suited the hotel’s name, and I liked that the concept extended beyond the lobby into the rooms.
Bathroom
The bathroom was bright and clean. With older European buildings, you sometimes worry about the bathroom when booking from photos alone, but at least during my stay, everything was well kept.
Christmas Eve at St. Peter’s Square
I had almost no time to rest that day. As soon as I dropped off my bag, I headed out to the Vatican for Christmas Eve Mass.
Since I could walk there, I didn’t need to figure out any transportation, and I was able to walk back to the hotel late at night after Mass. I’d been standing in the rain at the square for a long time and was exhausted, but a warm shower and a place to rest were exactly what I needed.
The Next Morning: Breakfast
Breakfast being included was one of the reasons I picked this hotel. I had no idea when I’d get to eat lunch after breakfast, so I headed downstairs determined to eat a hearty meal first.
It was a small space, but it had everything I needed.
On one side there were cereal, boiled eggs, and yogurt.
There were also breads and pastries, cold cuts like cheese and salami, and several kinds of tea.
There was a coffee machine too, so I could choose a coffee to my taste.
It was my very first coffee in Rome. I honestly don’t know much about coffee, but knowing it was coffee in Italy made it taste even better somehow.
It wasn’t a huge hotel buffet with endless choices, but I ate plenty, enough to get me through the day. I knew I’d be spending several hours outside again that day.
Luggage Storage After Check-Out
After breakfast, I checked out of Hotel Franklin Feel The Sound, and the front desk kindly kept my luggage for me. That was convenient, since I was planning to go back to the Vatican that day to receive the Pope’s noon blessing. I could head out without dragging my suitcase along, and once everything was over, I returned to the hotel, picked up my bag, and made my way into central Rome. If you have a gap between check-out and your next hotel’s check-in, this is a really useful service.
Who I’d Recommend It To
If your Vatican plans are a priority, the location is quite convenient. It’s especially helpful if you’re staying late near St. Peter’s Square and plan to walk back. On the other hand, if you’re focusing on other sights in Rome, how well the location works will depend on your route.
If you’re looking for something like what I was, it might be worth a look:
- A place close to the Vatican
- Not too far from a metro station
- A clean room
- Breakfast available
- Luggage storage after check-out
- A hotel with a bit of character
Final Thoughts After One Night
I stayed at Hotel Franklin Feel The Sound for just one night. It was close to the station and within walking distance of St. Peter’s Square, which suited my schedule well, and the room and bathroom were clean. Breakfast was included, and being able to leave my luggage after check-out was handy too. The music-themed pieces in the lobby and room were fun to look at.
It isn’t a particularly special or luxurious hotel, but for a night near the Vatican, it was a simple, comfortable place to stay.
You can also read about my Christmas Eve at the Vatican here.