nancymaat

Hi,
I need some help. We'll be in Rome November 26 through 28. We started looking for hotels a couple days ago. O.K. I started late. After researching through this talk forum and a couple of guidebooks, I sent out close to 20 emails checking on availability of hotels under 140 Euro. Some came back to say no rooms available. Some quoted a higher price than what we'd like. (One of the convents qouted 170 for a double with bath) Others haven't responded yet. Some of the hotels I checked on are Hotel Santa Maria, Hotel King, Hotel Panda,(all three are booked) Hotel Smeraldo (still waiting)...Since I've received several"all full" responses, I'm worried that I won't be able to find a decent budget hotel if I wait too much longer. How long should I wait for an email response before looking elsewhere? What's your experience?

Mischka

Don't send e-mails, rather use venere.com to check availability online.

We stayed at Domus Julia and loved it. It is the B&B connected to Hotel Julia.
Check their special late offers.

http://www.hoteljulia.it/

rj007

I usually call the hotels - much faster response. I stayed at the Hotel Aberdeen - nice centrally located hotel. (10 min walk from Termini). They are listing doubles when you want to go for 109 Euros. Website travelit/roma/aberdeen.

Also check out romelastminute.com

I love Rome. Enjoy your trip.

mialow

Try Hotel Carriage. We didn't stay at this hotel but passed by it on our way back to our hotel. I recalled it was near Hotel Panda but faced a quieter street. Tripadvisor gave it a mixed review though.

kcsqueeze

If you don't have any luck finding something under $140, Hotel Nazionale e Montecitorio has a special stay 3, pay for 2 during this time (check in Fri, Sat or Sun). That would bring their standard double rate to $158/night (normally $238). Not a bad price for a 4* hotel. You can check it out and book right on their website. www.nazionaleroma.it

maryanne1

Have just booked Nazionale for the special weekend of Jan.14-16. Then moving to the Aberdeen for our last 4 days. Good to hear from others this may be a good choice. I think I must have looked at 100 hotels at websites before I did this. Both hotels have been so prompt and helpful in replying to my qustions.

dutyfree

The Hotel Aberdeen is a great deal and centrally located to get to anyplace in Rome. Have fun!

ladybird1

Hi Nancy
Don't despair! I have only just come back from Rome (yesterday our time) and stayed in a lovely apartment building on Via Vittorio Emmanuelle (about 5 mins walk to Piazza San Pietro and right around the corner from Piazza Navona). It is called 'Palazzo Olivia' and is owned and run by a lady called Carla. She speaks English and is very helpful and welcoming. The apartment had 1 bedroom with a double and a sofa bed for 2. They have 2 bedroom apartments if you need.
The kitchen was well equipped and Campo di Fiori is across the road so you can do all your fresh fruit, vegies and meat shopping as you need to (you MUST do this at least once - Campo di Fiori is an ancient marketplace and is great fun of a morning.)
Contacts:
Palazzo Olivia telephone- 39 06 68216986
website: www.palazzo-olivia.it

carla also provided a great booklet listing all the bus stops and how to get to all the tourist sites as well as interesting walks about the hotel. I will definitely use this place again as the location and quality are great. We paid 740 Euros for 6 night which is absolutely dirt cheap for what we got. I know what it's like to have a buget but in some cities, you may have to move the numbers a little but in this case, it is really a much better valued option.

Enjoy the Eternal City! Vicky.

nancymaat

Thanks for all the postings. I finaly got some more email replies from the hotels and used venere.com to check on availability for the rest. Hotel Aberdeen is full. I just booked a standard double at Hotel San Carlo for 100 Euro a night. Thanks Ladybird, I thought of booking an apartment too but dismissed the idea because I was worried about the quality. But your experience made me think twice, I will check out the website you posted next. Thanks again for all the posting. Will let you know how it goes.

context_rome

I was just looking through these posts and was pleasantly surprised to see this rec for Palazzo Olivia. I never think to post things like this myself, but on reflection, I can probably offer some good information in this regard. Palazzo Olivia is lovely. It is not exactly an independant apartment; it's sort of half-way between a hotel and an apartment. It is a full palazzo with 7 (I think) separate flats and Carla (not the owner, the manager) works as the "concierge." She speaks English and has a boyfriend from Philly (my hometown!) We've had clients stay here, and I have had a chance to see the rooms when delivering things to them: They are newly renovated, clean and spacious.

Also, the location is actually better than ladybird said. It is on a small quiet street called Via Leutari which connects Pza Pasquino with Corso Vittorio Emmanuelle II. It is very close to the Campo de Fiori market, but there is an even cuter market (IMO) on Via delle Vacche near Pza di Fico (4 blocks out of Pza. Navona.)

I think that they have a minimum stay (maybe 3 nights?). You should keep in mind that this is not a "full-service" hotel, Carla notwithstanding. But depending on your needs it is a great and well-priced option. Check their website. (above)

Lani