bostonallison

Feedback requested on hotel choices for my honeymoon in September:

Positano:
We will be in Positano in late September for four nights and have narrowed down our choices to the Hotel Covo dei Saraceni, Miramare or Marincanto. We would love a terrace, a great view and to be able to (somewhat) easily be able to walk around town, sightsee, visit restaurants for drinks, food. We can only afford a standard room at Covo but the idea of the pool is attractive since we really plan to relax once the wedding is over. I know we can relax on the beach as well... Is it worth it to stay at Covo for the convenience of lounging around a pool? At Miramare and Marincanto, we can afford more deluxe rooms.Our budget is $1600 (US) total for the four nights. Does anyone feel strongly about any of these hotels?

Rome:
First time to Rome for both of us. Should we stay at the Hotel Trevi, Barberini Hotel or at the Santa Maria in Travestere? A coworker loves the Trastevere area and urges me to stay there. Others recommend the Campo de' Fiore area. Any thoughts or additional recommendations for us? I am attracted to he Santa Maria but is it inconvenient for first timers in Rome on a honeymoon? Or perfect for a honeymoon? We will be in Rome for four nights, would prefer a hotel with a roofdeck for eating breakfast. Budget around $300 US/night.

Siena
We really like the Hotel Santa Caterina since we'll have a car. Is this hotel too far outside of Siena? We'd like to be able to avoid driving in the evening and enjoy wine and dinner in Siena. Some people tell me to stay within the wall. Any thoughts? Suggestions?

Thank you!

panecott

The Santa Caterina is ideal for someone with a car. It is just outside the Porta Romana - literally one short block - and is a short walk to the Campo. I stayed there a few years ago and walked back and forth to the hotel several times a day.

Be sure to ask for a room facing the countryside b/c the ones facing the road can be noisy. The countryside rooms have beautiful views and there is a lovely garden where a bounteous breakfast buffet is served.

paris1953

Hi Boston. My husband and I are going to Rome, (Florence), Siena, and Positano at the end of this month for our 35th anniversary. We are at the Marincanto in Positano...liked the Tripadvisor reviews and loved the views, pool, etc. We are calling this the 'vacation portion' of our trip! I can report back to you, but we won't be back til mid-August and you will likely want to have this nailed down before then.

In Siena, we are staying at the Pensione Palazzo Ravizza. In Rome, we are at the Splendide Royal, but I think you might be happier in the Trastevere or Campo areas...more lively I believe. I am sure others will have better advice on Rome.

Congratulations!

panecott

P.S. Just realized it's your honeymoon. Be sure to tell them b/c there are one or two special rooms at the Santa Caterina that you might be able to book.

And the walk to the Campo is pleasant and goes through the town.

A car would be a hassle within the walls, as Siena can get very crowded.

Best wishes on your upcoming marriage.

panecott

Just saw the above post. The Palazzo Ravizza is a beautiful Siena hotel, but it is within the walls and pretty centrally located. There are some haphazard parking areas here and there around the town but I don't know if there are any close to the Ravizza.

But my personal perference is to avoid driving in towns and cities as much as possible. I think you'll be happy at the Santa Caterina.

Jean

In Siena, Palazzo Ravizza has its own parking lot at no cost to guests. Reviews on Tripadvisor mention that Santa Caterina charges 15 euros per night for parking.

In Rome, I'm not a big fan of staying in Trastevere only because I like to be closer to everything. The Santa Maria looks lovely and would probably be a quiet oasis to come back to at the end of the day (esp. if temps are high), but you'll be putting in more walking miles. It depends on what you prefer for your honeymoon, and I can understand either preference. But were you able to get a reservation at the Santa Maria in your budget range (about 200 euros)?

bardo1

In Rome, I would look for something west of Via del Corso.

The areas near Campo dei Fiori, Piazza Navona, or the Pantheon are all good options: very charming, heavily pedestrianized, and convenient walking to many sites. This area (known as the Centro Storico) cost a little more than other areas (about 10-15% more than comparable rooms elsewhere) and there is a good reason for it. It is your honeymoon, after all. Go for it.

bobthenavigator

My thoughts:
1. The Covo pool is to die for
2. We liked Santa Caterina---:15 walk to Il Campo
3. Do not stay in Trastevere--look at Albergo Cesari

bostonallison

Thanks for all of your replies - I really appreciate the feedback and suggestions! Looking on venere.com for hotels in the Campo dei Fiori, Piazza Navona and Pantheon areas. Does anyone have any favorites to recommend? Thanks so much.

bostonallison

Bob - Albergo Cesari is full. Any other thoughts?

bobthenavigator

Yes http://www.hotelmodigliani.com/

And,

SMALL B&Bs:
• www.nicolasinn.com Near Colosseum with helpful hosts—160E

• www.daphne-rome.com Tasteful B&B in two locations—150 to 200

• www.baldassinibeb.it/eng/index.html Great location---good press

FULL SERVICE 3 STAR HOTELS: Prices vary from 150 to 220E & by season

• www.albergocesari.it Perfect location—my wife’s favorite—200E

• www.hotelsancarloroma.com Near Spanish Steps---about 160E

• www.smeraldoroma.com Good location and fair prices

• www.hotelportoghesiroma.com North of Piazza Navona—has quad

• http://www.residenzacellini.it/ Centro hotel with good reviews

Jean

In October, we'll be staying for the fourth time at Hotel Fontanella Borghese which is located at the foot of via Condotti, about halfway between the Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona. (The Hotel Due Torri owned by the same woman is a few blocks away.) We were quoted 195 euros plus 2 euros per person city tax, so essentially 200 euros per night, but I'm afraid the rate in September could be higher.

www.fontanellaborghese.com

www.hotelduetorriroma.com

If an outdoor area is important, I can second bobthenavigator's suggestion to look at the Hotel Portoghesi which has a rooftop terrace, although I think it is outside your budget in September.

panecott

Just FTR, there was free on the street parking just outside the Santa Caterina on the block leading to the Porta Romana.

I didn't have a car when I was there and didn't even know the hotel offered parking.

Leely2

I'm not sure why you're being discouraged from staying in Trastevere. There's plenty to see, eat and drink over there, and unless you are elderly or especially out of shape it's not a major walk to most sights. I'd stay in Trastevere in a heartbeat (and have done so in the past). I have heard of the Santa Maria but haven't stayed there, so I am not sure it's honeymoon-worthy. We usually stay in apartments, though I once stayed at Albergo del Senato near the Pantheon, and that was very nice--perhaps above your budget.

kybourbon

If you want to be in Trastevere, the Hotel San Francesco has a roof top bar. For random dates in September it was below 200€.
http://www.hotelsanfrancesco.net/inglese/hotel.htm

kybourbon

The Raphael is just off Piazza Navona and has a roof deck. I'm not sure about their price range so may be too high.

http://www.raphaelhotel.com/Welcome-...el-in-rome.htm

bostonallison

Thanks everyone! The Raphael is a bit out of our budget. The Hotel Portoghesi is slightly over budget but I am thinking of booking it; it looks fantastic! Also considering the Smeraldo, it is less than the Raphael by about $400. Any thoughts on which of these has a better location?

bardo1

I've stayed at the Smeraldo - basic, cheap (for the historic center) and very well located. If that's all you require, it's OK. The hotel breakfast is horrid - if you do stay there, go to one of nearby bakeries or coffee shops for breakfasts.

The Hotel Portoghesi is also a very good location. Not "quite" as good a location as Smeraldo but it looks to have much nicer rooms.

One more to look at - close to the Portoghesi but closer to Piazza Navona is Residenza Canali.

http://www.residenzacanali.com/?lang=en

I've had friends stay there who raved, raved, raved. Excellent location on a super charming pedestrianized street.

bardo1

Totally off-topic but I just had to get this out there:

Where ever you end up staying, I hope you'll go here for a meal (or just wine, drinks, or snacks). I don't go to Rome without making my way here. Sit outdoors if possible.

Steps from the Canali, very close to the Portoghesi, or an easy walk from the Smeraldo.

http://www.ristorantesangallo.com/

bostonallison

Thanks Bardo1. The hotel you suggested is booked but I will try to get to the restaurant you recommended.

Bob - Regarding Positano, I am trying to decide between Miramare, Covo, Villa Rossa and I am hoping something might open up at the Marincanto. Will I be missing out on views if I choose Covo? Everyone has a different opinion and I am having a hard time deciding.