This historical hotel occupies a 15th century palace which housed cardinals for 65 years and priests for 200 years, and lies 400 metres from St Peter's Basilica on the avenue leading to St Peter's Square.

Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is 30 kilometres away.

The air conditioned restaurant features walls and a high vaulted ceiling with original 15th century frescoes. Other historical features include 16th century ceiling frescoes by Francesco Salviati and two small 17th century fountains. Reputedly Rome's first interior garden, the walled courtyard is shaded by laurel trees and is where cocktails and a complimentary buffet breakfast are served in warm weather.

Hotel Columbus offers 92 air conditioned guestrooms with street or garden courtyard views in a four storey building. Rooms are decorated in a typical Italian style with tiled floors and dark woods. Amenities include complimentary high speed Internet connections, minibars, laptop sized safes, and satellite television. Modern bathrooms come with phones and shower/tub combinations or walk in showers.

Unnoticed by most guests, a 15th century clock on a wall facing the garden courtyard tells the time on sunny days. Protruding from the clock's centre is a long spike that casts shadows on the face's Roman numerals as the day passes.