debmc58

My husband and I are traveling to Rome for the first time. I am confused where to stay as I am bringing my two teenage sons and therefore need a big enough room or two rooms. I want to be strategically located so we do not have to take cabs every time we walk out of the hotel. I have narrowed my search down to a few and would like your advise: Albergo Ottocento; Grand Hotel Plaza; Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi; Capo d'Africa; and Hotel de Russie. Service (attitude), cleanliness and location are important. Thank you. DebMC

Dayle

Hi Deb,

Rome hotels are a very popular question here and many recommendations can be found. Just go up to the search box and type in "Rome hotels".

You can also look at the web site venere.com and tripadvisor.com for reviews and other info.

Rome is a very walkable city and as long as you are staying in the historic center, you can walk everywhere except maybe the Vatican.

Buon viaggio!

bardo1

Agree w/ Dayle. The thing is, none of these hotels are in the historic center (the Pantheon area and points west to the river).

A hotel in the same class as your list but better located is the Hotel Raphael.

http://www.raphaelhotel.com/

Dayle

Hi Deb,

You might want to check out Hotel Giardino Rome. I stayed 5 nights in Sept and was very happy with it. Sept is high season and my single room was 95E/night if that's in your range. Nice central location between Trajan's Market and the Quirinale. Katy and her staff are very friendly and helpful and reply to e mails promptly. It's a 2 star, no elevator.

debmc58

Thank you all. I have been to venere and trip advisor which has added to my confusion because there are so many choices!! Raphael Hotel looks great--but couldn't book on line. Will check other sites to see if three are rooms available. We would prefer 4 or 5 star hotels. Hotel de Russie is also unavailable except suites (too much).

MFNYC

Email the hotel directly to book, especially for a quad. Ask what they have for a family of 4. They will suggest either 2 rooms or a family room (which may or may not be a suite). My kids don't like to share a bed, so I'd ask about the bed configuration, also room location, etc.

laughingd2

Can I suggest the Cesari on via di Pietra? (not the Giulio Cesare near the Vatican) It's about 1/2 way between the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain - just a perfect location. We walked to everything. We stayed there a few years ago and the rooms and staff were excellent. It's listed as a 3 star by venere.com, but most of the reviews say it feels like a 4-star, and I'd agree.

gard

Hi

As mentioned already, Rome is not actually that big so it is possible to walk a lot. My wife and I stayed near Termini and we were quite happy with that and we walked around, took the bus to get to places like the Vatican and took the metro a couple of times. I have posted a trip report with some pictures and links on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy.htm . Maybe you can find some useful info there

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

Oldmyst

I would suggest looking into the Albergo Del Senato. It is located right on the Pantheon Square with a gorgeous view of the Pantheon. You are within walking distance of the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Campo Di Fiori, and we even walked from the Vatican, and the Forum. We were there six nights and only took two cabs. They only have one apartment that would accommodate four, so I would suggest taking two rooms. It actually might be less expensive to do so. The service was wonderful and the room was attractive and clean. It is considered a three star hotel, but definitely is really a four star hotel. I am sure most people familiar with the Del Senato would agree with me.

bardo1

Deb,

Why not just CALL the Raphael? You'll get much better service if you telephone regardless of which hotel it is. Talk about your needs and tplaces will work with you to get exactly what you want.

wliwl

Deb: Just thought I'd give you the link to our June 2005 trip to Rome with our two teenage sons. Maybe it will help in some way.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34645892

debmc58

Thank you all. My research continues!!

SoCalGal

wliwl!

Thanks for the the link to your trip report! My husband and I are going in early June and not only have you given us some great tips, but now I know where I can score some great photos should mine not turn out! They were incredible!

PS - Very nice looking family! You all looked like you were having a blast!

wliwl

Thanks SoCalGal! We did indeed have a blast. Great memories.

debmc58

wliwl: Thanks so much! Great pictures and I will bring your recommendations with me. our entire family enjoyed your report and pictures.

LoveItaly

Hi debmc, if you do decide to get two rooms you will also have two bathrooms!! That is so nice when you have four members of a family travelling together. Less stress, the family can get ready quicker etc. Just a thought.

debmc58

I would prefer 2 rooms and 2 bathrooms, but I know location is very important, too. I can get 2 rooms at Albergo Ottocento, Capo d'Africa and Albergo Cessari or a family room at Hotel Forum or Grand Hotel Plaza. Opinions would be appreciated!!I have thought about hotel de prinicipe where I can get two rooms, but it is so much further than the others.

drm1418

if you wish to check availability and book the Rapael on line here is the link: http://www.raphaelhotel.com/eng.html

debmc58

Thanks. I think I checked every hotel a million times and many ways!!! The Raphael only has suites available on expedia and hotels.com. Any opinion on Hotel magestic/ Am I better off staying in historic Rome or city center? Sounds like city center for just 3 nights.

debmc58

I will also call Raphael and/or try e-mailing them again.