EdEdwards

Has anyone stayed there recently? We're thinking about it as an alternative to the Smeraldo, both under US$200 / night for a Triple in August. I'm wondering about 2 issues: how might a stay (4 nights) near the Pantheon compare to staying near Campo Di Fiori? And has anyone had personal experience with the Hotel Pantheon or the Smeraldo, as a basis to compare quality? We have been to Rome before, several times but many years ago, and I recall both areas being busy at night and having a lot of tourists in the summer. Thank you.

EdEdwards

Topping to give it another try. Thanks.

Weadles

We stayed at Hotel Pantheon about five years ago, so I don't know how helpful this will be to you. We had a gorgeous suite which would have been ideal, but the air conditioning was basically inoperable, and it was so hot that we checked out after two days and took a room at Albergo Del Senato, around the corner. We loved the area and Albergo Del Senato, that we returned two years in a row. It really is hard to beat that location for ease of touring the historic sites, and wonderful restaurants. Good luck!

Sally30

I stayed at the Hotel Pantheon several years ago and really liked it. In fact, we wanted to return there but the prices had gotten quite high. I'm surprised to see you say that you got a triple for US$200/night. I recall a double being more like US$300/night when I looked which is why we didn't stay there. From what I recall, the rooms are nice and fairly big for Rome (or ours was anyway). The location is fabulous. You are maybe two storefronts in from the square that the Pantheon is in.

I have not stayed at the Smeraldo but have stayed near the Campo di Fiori and prefer the Pantheon (although they are incredibly close - it really isn't a big deal). The Pantheon has a lot of tourists but not annoying, drunk college kids like the Campo di Fiori does because of all the bars there. It is just fantastic to walk in the Pantheon every time you head back to your hotel! Even though it is certainly a tourist area, there are plenty of "regular" places around, including one of the best coffee bars in Rome, across the street and a nice food shop a few doors down.

I would definitely take the room at Hotel Pantheon for $200/night and be very happy about it!

Sally30

I should add, after seeing Weadles comment, that we did not stay in summer so I can't speak to the AC and it gets HOT in Rome in August.

EdEdwards

I get the feeling that AC is frequently a problem in Rome. When we were last there, about 10 years ago in July, I remember we stayed in the Duca d'Alba, near the Coliseum, and we were constantly fussing with the AC unit, asking the hotel to service it. Sally, your advice seems sound about location. How long does it take to walk from the Pantheon to the Campo area? We've heard of some good, cheaper restaurants near the Campo.

Sally30

Ed - 5 minutes tops.

EdEdwards

Thanks so much for the information. I'd assume that Navona is also 5 minutes away -- so the Pantheon hotel location sounds like the best for us.

nnolen

Ed - What restaurants are you looking at near the Campo? I just stayed in that area and ate around there and the Pantheon/Navona area quite a bit.

EdEdwards

There are a few moderately priced places listed between Frommers and Rick Steve's, but I don't have the books available right now. Can you recommend some places that are reasonable and particularly good? I know that there are a number of tourist-oriented restaurants around both Navona and the Campo. Thanks.

nnolen

Check out my recent trip report. Enoteca Cul de Sac and Enoteca Corsi were both fantastic. L'Eau Vive (eating with the nuns) also amazing. Alfredo e Ada very good and homey. All of these were what I would consider reasonably priced.

If you want to see prices and specifics, just click on my name for the trip report. I have some information on other restaurants in the area in my 2009 report.

Zerlina

Are you sure you have a rate under $200 for Hotel Pantheon? It's showing 420 Euro for a triple at venere.com; a rate reduced by about 60% seems highly unlikely...

There are a number of hotels and B&Bs with Pantheon in the name. Perhaps you got that rate at one of them.

EdEdwards

Zerlina, are you sure you're checking the Hotel Pantheon in Rome? Here's the website: http://www.hotelpantheon.com/

They have a discount for more than 3 nights, and also probably for August. In any case, it's very common for rack rates to be outrageously expensive compared to actual rates.

Also, I have often noticed that some of the booking sites often have higher rates than are available directly from the hotels. In general, I really prefer to book directly with hotels' own websites, because there's generally not a deposit required, and cancellation arrangements are easier.