alexsmith

Hi!

I'll be in Rome this fall for several nights and received a rate of 310 euros from Albergo del Senato and a rate of 200 euros from the Albergo Santa Chiara... Is the Albergo del Senato worth paying 110 euros more per night? The del Senato has prettier, more luxurious rooms and it has a rooftop terrace. Otherwise, they seem rather equal as both are in the same location (right around the Pantheon).

Any thoughts??

MANY THANKS!

nessundorma

Have compared reviews on Tripadvisor?

I've only stayed at the Senato (several times) and I have to say that I find it rare to say being in a hotel made me "happy," but the Senato is just a lovely place that gives me that feeling. It's a great place to stay in Rome.

bobthenavigator

Not to me ! Same location and that is what matters.

Neopolitan

I can never figure out how one person can advise another if it will be worth it to him, but to me it is a matter of budget.
If there is Motel 6 and a Ritz Carlton right next door to each other and the Ritz is a hundred dollars more, it's a no-brainer for me. The Ritz it will be. But I guess to others it wouldn't make any difference.

francophile03

To me it is not possible for anyone to tell someone else if a hotel (or anything else actually) is 'worth it'. For myself in this case, as budget does figure into the decision and the two hotels are in generally the same area, I would take the cheaper one.

Grinisa

Although they are both near the Pantheon, the Del Senato is next to the Pantheon and has rooms that have a full view of it and Piazza della Rotonda. The Santa Chiara is behind the Pantheon and a block away, with no views. If you want a view and are willing to pay 110 Euro for it, then choose the Del Senato.

Lexma90

Between the last time we visited Rome (2 years ago) and this year's visit (this fall), del Senato raised its prices by about 100 Euros for the same non-view room. To me, the price increase wasn't worth it. Yes, it's a very nice hotel, and the staff was helpful and the breakfast buffet good (all we ever get, though, is cornetti and cappuccini). The rooftop terrace was nice, but only nice; I couldn't see over the edge into the piazza while sitting down, and the poor waitress was so busy that she never took our order. So the terrace wasn't a big factor for us. To me, I can find many hotels that are just as nice (for what we're looking for), in just as good an area, for a lot less than del Senato's rates.

Dick

We stayed at the Santa Chiara several years ago and found it to be very nice...in a great location

Remember, not all room are the same.

dutyfree

Personally, I cannot imagine paying anything over 200 euros in Rome (or any other city) for one night's hotel room.How much time do you really spend there? Chose a cheaper spot and use the extra money on great meals, wine and gelato?

Girlspytravel

Just remember, Alex, you do not have to stay at the Albergo Senato to enjoy that fabulous rooftop terrace-you'd be so close at Santa Chiara that you could walk over to del Senato every evening, if you wanted, and have a drink and watch the sunset. There's no way I'd pay that much more for a hotel room; the del Senato is very nice, but not that nice.

Marianna

The del Senato has a great location right on the Piazza. We went in for a peek and it did look very nice. The Santa Chiara is behind the Pantheon, tucked into the middle of lots of other buldings.

We stayed in the Hotel della Torre Argentina (convenient location - easily walkable to jsut about everything) and had our own private roof top terraces which we loved. I wrote about the rooms in my report. Click on my name to find it. We got a very good rate.

Good luck deciding on the hotel.

Ralstonlan

We were just at the del Senato this past June and it was lovely. THe location cannot be beat. We had a triple room with an incredible view of the Pantheon.
It was very expensive, and would more than likely not stay there again because of it. I don't mind paying a lot for a hotel, but there are many other choices that would not be as high.

RufusTFirefly

I guess it would depend on your personal travel style. The most we've ever paid anywhere in the world for a room is around $150, but we don't spend much time in our accomodations and we don't care about room service, bars, conference rooms, exercise rooms, swimming pools, turn-down service, etc. Other people do. It's whatever you want to spend your money on to make your experience good for you.

alexsmith

Thanks to everyone for your very helpful insights! I think I will stick to the Santa Chiara since it is significantly less expensive. Thanks again

Myer

We stayed at the Santa Chiara a couple of years ago and really liked it.

Location can't be beat unless you're comparing spectacular views.

You are directly in the middle of the sight-seeing area. Directly behind the Pantheon.

I would never consider myself staying at the Santa Chiara was settling for a lower-priced hotel.

dorkforcemom

I'm with Neopolitan!
We've been to Rome 4 times and will return in September for a 5th. We've stayed twice at Albergo del Senato and loved every minute of it. I loved our little balcony overlooking the piazza & the Pantheon. I felt like I was in heaven. Late each afternoon, we moved a couple of chairs onto our little balcony with our vodka tonics and relished every moment of spending dorkforcedad's hard earned 315 euros - it was worth every cent! I've never experienced the service like we received from the staff...

That said, this next trip we're staying at a lesser priced hotel as our entire budget is less...so...not knowing your circumstances, it's impossible to guide. In any case, have a great trip!

whitewoman

YES! YES! YES!

alexsmith

Dorkforcemom: I love your username!! It's terrific!

Hmmm, you've given me food for thought to reconsider the del Senato. That balcony (assuming I could get a room with one for the price I was quoted) sounds heavenly...

dorkforcemom

Alexsmith - let me clarify about the "balcony". It's not large. We took the 2 desk-style chairs from the rooms and put them on the balcony to sit on and sip on something lethal. There's only room for 2 people...it's not the kind of balcony for lounge chairs or walking around. That said, it helped create wonderful memories of a true vacation. Be sure to request one of these rooms. I believe we were on the 6th floor...I may be wrong. There are only several rooms with these balconies. The rooftop terrace is so romantic, too. Michael runs a great bar each evening and it's a perfect way to relax before going to dinner. Keep us posted whichever decision you make...

Weadles

We just stayed at the Del Senato for four nights in one of the sixth floor rooms ( 602) that has a tiny terrace overlooking the Pantheon. The room itself was extremely small( and this was a suite for 3!) and not all that special,(although it did have great air conditioning which can be a rarity in Rome), but oh, the view from that terrace! We spent a few hours each day sipping wine in the two chairs provided, and taking in the sights of the piazza and the Pantheon. For us, that terrace and the rooftop bar were worth the extra money, but if you don't plan to spend any kind of time in your room, it may not be worth it for you.