The Trevi Fountain in Rome dominates a small square in the heart of the city near the Spanish Steps. The fountain entered pop culture thanks to the nighttime bathing scene in the film "La Dolce Vita" by Fellini, or for many Americans, the popular 1954 film "Three Coins in A Fountain." This huge Baroque construction, inspired by sea mythology, took 30 years to build. Begun in 1732 by Niccolo Salvi and influenced by both the city's numerous victory arches and Roman Mythology in general, the fountain is one of the most visited landmarks in the city. And in Rome, that is saying something.
The centerpiece of the Trevi Fountain in Rome is the figure of Neptune riding on a shell chariot, standing noble and exultant between winged horses and figures said to represent fertility and enduring health. The smooth rocks and cascading water have drawn millions of tourists to its location, near a solemn church that has an astonishing and macabre attraction: the hearts, intestines and other vital organs of former popes remain here, supposedly built on the site of the beheading of St. Paul.
If you want to stay in a hotel in Rome near Trevi fountain, you don't have a long list of choices outside of the famous Trevi Fountain Hotel. Offering an exclusive viewpoint of the great fountain that most tourists will never witness. Converted into a hotel in the 17th century, guests at the Trevi Fountain hotel can sit upon the rooftop lounge where the romantic lights of the square burn well into the night. Though the rooms come at a price, being able to avoid the summertime crowds that flock to the square is well worth it. Nearby cafes are constantly packed until closing time, with many tourists unwilling to give up their chairs after waiting over an hour to finally get seated. But the Trevi fountain hotel dismisses these problems, though you may have to book far in advance to take advantage of what the hotel has to offer. Another fine hotel in Rome near Trevi fountain is the La Residenza Hotel near Piazza Barberini. Purposefully old-fashioned and located in one of the busiest sections of the city, the La Residenza has ivy covered walls and a charming courtyard to rest in after a long day of sightseeing. The Hotel Adriano is, like so many Italian hotels, a converted palazzo. In addition to being a premier hotel in Rome near Trevi fountain, it has vaulted ceilings and reproductions of some of the most famous paintings of the Renaissance.
But all that is tertiary to the real jewel of the Piazza di Trevi. It even extends some of its fabled power to anyone passing on the streets - legend says that anyone who throws a coin into the Trevi fountain in Rome will return to the Eternal City. Tossing two additional coins will supposedly bring the promise of love and marriage with an Italian. So, spend accordingly.