I can't tell you about Hotel Diplomatic but I loved Fellini. Stayed 3 nights in the ensuite room and 3 in the external private bath. Our friends stayed near the Vatican. We walked everywhere. Fellini is only a couple of blocks from Trevi and Spanish Steps
and via Veneto (sp). It was beautiful, extremely clean, great bathroom with marble floor and heated towel bar, great room safe and a fabulous terrace to sit outside when you like. I would not choose the Vatican side if it were me. We were so centraly located when we did decide to take taxis, they were 10 euro or less.

ggna:

Thanks for the info. Can you tell me anymore about the room with the private external bath? The only thing that worries me (anal) about the Fellini is that I see it listed on several "backpacker/hostel" websites. How was the clientele when you were there? Thanks VERY MUCH for the info!

The room is directly across the hall from the bathroom. It is a very nice sized bathroom with heated marble floor and heated towel bar, a large glass enclosed shower, hair dryer on the wall, shelves and hooks for your stuff. The rooms have remote control blinds and large windows that open. You can shut out all the light and noise when you want or have it open to the street below when you want that. I saw no signs of backpackers when we were there. It is small, only 4 or 5 rooms I think, so there were never many people coming and going. We are 50's. We saw couples mostly and a mother, daughter. The terrace is a fairly large size and has several chairs and a table for your use. The breakfast is ok. Coffee, yogurt, bread and cheese. There is a nice filled fruit bowl that stays in the dining area daily for you to snack on also. The owner could not have been nicer. There is a lot of printed info there for you to use.

The rooms have high ceilings with beautiful carved moulding, long big windows with lovely formal style drapes. Not a backpacker sort of place to me at all. There is air cond. We did not need it in March though.