Central Rome Hotel for October 2016
Jan 13th, 2016, 11:45 AM
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Central Rome Hotel for October 2016
Hi there. We're planning to take our two teen sons (16&15) to Rome for a 4/5 night break in October 2016. Can anyone recommend a central hotel please, which is walking distance (preferably) of the main sites, with a lounge, restaurant, bar etc. Doesn't have to be a huge chain-hotel: boutique is fine provided they serve a good breakfast! Any tour recommendations, unusual sites or good Italian restaurant recommendations would also be much appreciated. Thank you! 
Jan 13th, 2016, 11:57 AM
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Do you have a budget in euro and do you need to be all in the one room or would two rooms be okay? It is often difficult to find family rooms, especially ones that have proper beds rather than pull out couches/sofa beds.
This hotel has a family room but it has sofa beds. It is in a great location, a few steps from the Trevi Fountain.
http://www.whitehotel.com/en/
This hotel has a family room but it has sofa beds. It is in a great location, a few steps from the Trevi Fountain.
http://www.whitehotel.com/en/
Jan 13th, 2016, 01:29 PM
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I'm not sure why you want a hotel with a restaurant. With all the good restaurants in central Rome, it seems superfluous.
There are several hotels in Rome that have apartments, either in the main hotel or in an off-site building. These are available in various price ranges. Something like this would maybe give your family more space and obviate the need for a lounge. You will always be able to use all of the hotel's services even if the apartment is off site.
I agree that you really should tell us what you're expecting to spend.
I go to Rome often, but I rarely stay in the same hotel twice. I use www.booking.com to find hotels. If you enter your destination as "Rome city centre", you will be shown hotels that are centrally located, and you can look on their map to see the exact location. Enter the number of people and specify that you want one room. That ensures that you will be shown either family rooms, "quad" rooms, suites, or apartments. You can also specify features you want. Once you've got a list, you can sort it by price or by guest rating. The guest rating is more reliable as a mark of overall quality than the number of stars. Be sure to read the guest reviews. Both the ratings and the reviews are from certified guests only.
The absolutely most central area is in the vicinity of Torre Argentina, or near the Campo dei Fiori, or the Pantheon. Still, you might not want to walk to every single place you plan to visit. The center of Rome is poorly served by the metro system, but the buses run frequently and go nearly everywhere. Google maps has good directions for walking or using public transportation.
There are several hotels in Rome that have apartments, either in the main hotel or in an off-site building. These are available in various price ranges. Something like this would maybe give your family more space and obviate the need for a lounge. You will always be able to use all of the hotel's services even if the apartment is off site.
I agree that you really should tell us what you're expecting to spend.
I go to Rome often, but I rarely stay in the same hotel twice. I use www.booking.com to find hotels. If you enter your destination as "Rome city centre", you will be shown hotels that are centrally located, and you can look on their map to see the exact location. Enter the number of people and specify that you want one room. That ensures that you will be shown either family rooms, "quad" rooms, suites, or apartments. You can also specify features you want. Once you've got a list, you can sort it by price or by guest rating. The guest rating is more reliable as a mark of overall quality than the number of stars. Be sure to read the guest reviews. Both the ratings and the reviews are from certified guests only.
The absolutely most central area is in the vicinity of Torre Argentina, or near the Campo dei Fiori, or the Pantheon. Still, you might not want to walk to every single place you plan to visit. The center of Rome is poorly served by the metro system, but the buses run frequently and go nearly everywhere. Google maps has good directions for walking or using public transportation.
Jan 13th, 2016, 10:32 PM
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Thank you for the comments so far. We need two separate double rooms and I guess we're looking to spend no more than €300 per room p night. The reason we mention restaurant/lounge is that we stayed in a city-boutique hotel in Naples last summer: the breakfast area was a tiny after-thought as was the lounge. I take the point about restaurants being your doorstep.
Jan 14th, 2016, 12:38 AM
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I love this hotel - and restaurants/bars are just outside in Piazza della Rotonda
http://www.albergodelsenato.it/index.php
Another one - this one has a fantastic rooftop bar with views over the Imperial Forum
http://www.hotelforum.com/
Those are just a couple of ideas. I agree with checking Booking.com - read the reviews as well as they come from people who have actually stayed in the property.
http://www.albergodelsenato.it/index.php
Another one - this one has a fantastic rooftop bar with views over the Imperial Forum
http://www.hotelforum.com/
Those are just a couple of ideas. I agree with checking Booking.com - read the reviews as well as they come from people who have actually stayed in the property.
Jan 14th, 2016, 12:48 AM
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I'll amend what I said above:
If you want two separate double rooms, meaning independent entry, then when using booking.com, specify two rooms and four people.
If you specify one room and four people, as I suggested above, most of what you'll be shown will be apartments and suites, which may have two separate double rooms (especially the apartments) but won't have independent entries.
If you want two separate double rooms, meaning independent entry, then when using booking.com, specify two rooms and four people.
If you specify one room and four people, as I suggested above, most of what you'll be shown will be apartments and suites, which may have two separate double rooms (especially the apartments) but won't have independent entries.
Jan 14th, 2016, 01:34 AM
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For 4/5 nights, consider an apartment. In your price bracket, you can find some amazing digs. Breakfast rooms in most Roman hotels are small, and if breakfast is an important part of gearing up for a day of sightseeing, having an apartment is a plus in Italy. I like to use Rome Loft agency but people also have reported success using AirBnb.
I'm a naysayer on Albergo del Senato mainly because of small room size given the high cost, and also have had bad experiences with late night noise in that location. The Hotel Forum has wonderfully charming public spaces (never stayed there, just visited to eat and drink), but it may not be what you consider "central". Depends on your sightseeing agenda.
Booking.com is a good resource.
I'm a naysayer on Albergo del Senato mainly because of small room size given the high cost, and also have had bad experiences with late night noise in that location. The Hotel Forum has wonderfully charming public spaces (never stayed there, just visited to eat and drink), but it may not be what you consider "central". Depends on your sightseeing agenda.
Booking.com is a good resource.
Jan 14th, 2016, 12:17 PM
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Our family has stayed twice at the Hotels Alimandi, once at their 3 star location and once at their 4 star hotel across the street. We had separate rooms at the 3 star and a room with two Queen beds at the 4 star. The hotels both have an excellent breakfast. The 4 star has a lounge but I can't remember if the 3 star had one. The hotels do not have a restaurant but can recommend good local choices. It is situated across from the Vatican museum entrance and offers shuttle service at certain times to the airport. I would happily return to either hotel.
Jan 15th, 2016, 11:27 AM
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I recently did up a list of Roman restaurants for a friend and have excerpted some of the entries here. Enjoy!
NEAR CAMPO DE’ FIORI
•Ditirambo, Piazza Cancelleria --a cozy place with three diminutive dining rooms under dark-wood-beamed ceilings. The atmosphere might be described as akin to a small neighborhood place in New York's East Village. The food is slightly innovative but never strays too far from the vernacular Roman menu. Reservations essential.
•*Osteria la Quercia, you will have traditional roman dishes in a secluded square, under an old oak tree.
•Roscioli via dei Giubbonari Reservations are really a must – several days in advance. Try to book a table in the back of the dining room. Best carbonara, also great cacio e pepe. Try the Amatriciana or the Roman meatballs with polenta also.They also have a bakery nearby
•Antico Forno Campo de’ Fiori The pizza bianca sold by weight at the Forno Campo de Fiori is among the best in town, and all of the breads and pastries sold here are excellent too. Customers can watch the bakers in action through big glass windows, and then browse the market.
NEAR THE PANTHEON:
•Armando al Pantheon. Traditional-style food prepared by two brothers and their families in a tiny restaurant. Try for dessert the torta of the night, such as the torta antica aroma (ricotta pie with strawberry filling)
NEAR PIAZZA NAVONA:
•Da Baffetto Via del Governo Vecchio, a favorite for decades for pizza. Always a line on the weekends. Outdoor tables and fast turnover. Try the pizza with mushrooms, artichoke hearts and an egg on top!
THE GHETTO:
•Piperno at Monte dei Cenci, has been there since 1860! In a lovely out of the way piazza. Specialities include the famous carciofi alla guidia as well as fried stuffed zucchini flowers (in season). Also serve classic such as saltimbocca alla romana. Ask for “grandfather’s balls” at the end of your meal: palle di nonno are globes of ricotta with chocolate, deep-fried. Delicious
AROUND THE SPANISH STEPS:
•Enoteca Antica: Via della Croce 76b -- A glass of wine and plate of cold meats and cheeses – and wonderful people watching o one of Rome’s most interesting streets
• GiNa: Via San Sebastianello, 7A Tiny gem of a place on a street leading off from the left of the Piazza di Spagna – great for lunch with salads, sandwiches, pastas and sweets (even cheesecake)!
•Fiaschetteria Beltramme at Via della Croce, 39 has been there for decades and is a good, olf-fashioned trattoria.
TRASTEVERE
•Da Ivo Probably Rome’s most loved pizzeria is in Trastevere. No reservations so after 8:30 prepare for a wait. The pizza served at Ivo’s is the classical Roman: thin and crisp, delightful and baked in a wood fired oven. Meals here always begin with fried goodies: supplì, potato croquettes, or fiori–friend zucchini blossoms. Via Di S. Francesco a Ripa 158
NEAR CAMPO DE’ FIORI
•Ditirambo, Piazza Cancelleria --a cozy place with three diminutive dining rooms under dark-wood-beamed ceilings. The atmosphere might be described as akin to a small neighborhood place in New York's East Village. The food is slightly innovative but never strays too far from the vernacular Roman menu. Reservations essential.
•*Osteria la Quercia, you will have traditional roman dishes in a secluded square, under an old oak tree.
•Roscioli via dei Giubbonari Reservations are really a must – several days in advance. Try to book a table in the back of the dining room. Best carbonara, also great cacio e pepe. Try the Amatriciana or the Roman meatballs with polenta also.They also have a bakery nearby
•Antico Forno Campo de’ Fiori The pizza bianca sold by weight at the Forno Campo de Fiori is among the best in town, and all of the breads and pastries sold here are excellent too. Customers can watch the bakers in action through big glass windows, and then browse the market.
NEAR THE PANTHEON:
•Armando al Pantheon. Traditional-style food prepared by two brothers and their families in a tiny restaurant. Try for dessert the torta of the night, such as the torta antica aroma (ricotta pie with strawberry filling)
NEAR PIAZZA NAVONA:
•Da Baffetto Via del Governo Vecchio, a favorite for decades for pizza. Always a line on the weekends. Outdoor tables and fast turnover. Try the pizza with mushrooms, artichoke hearts and an egg on top!
THE GHETTO:
•Piperno at Monte dei Cenci, has been there since 1860! In a lovely out of the way piazza. Specialities include the famous carciofi alla guidia as well as fried stuffed zucchini flowers (in season). Also serve classic such as saltimbocca alla romana. Ask for “grandfather’s balls” at the end of your meal: palle di nonno are globes of ricotta with chocolate, deep-fried. Delicious
AROUND THE SPANISH STEPS:
•Enoteca Antica: Via della Croce 76b -- A glass of wine and plate of cold meats and cheeses – and wonderful people watching o one of Rome’s most interesting streets
• GiNa: Via San Sebastianello, 7A Tiny gem of a place on a street leading off from the left of the Piazza di Spagna – great for lunch with salads, sandwiches, pastas and sweets (even cheesecake)!
•Fiaschetteria Beltramme at Via della Croce, 39 has been there for decades and is a good, olf-fashioned trattoria.
TRASTEVERE
•Da Ivo Probably Rome’s most loved pizzeria is in Trastevere. No reservations so after 8:30 prepare for a wait. The pizza served at Ivo’s is the classical Roman: thin and crisp, delightful and baked in a wood fired oven. Meals here always begin with fried goodies: supplì, potato croquettes, or fiori–friend zucchini blossoms. Via Di S. Francesco a Ripa 158
