Matt

I've been using this site for it's wealth of information (thanks to everyone who has posted). I need some help/clarification on what I should expect to pay for a 3 star hotel in Rome. There seems to be such a broad range out there from 200.000 to 400.000 ITL. Are the higher priced ones that much better? Or can you really get a decent room for 200.000. My needs aren't much, like most people who have posted on this forum, just looking for something clean, relatively quiet and somewhat central. Cheers.

Ed

There are (almost) only three things that count in a hotel in Rome: <BR> <BR>Location Location Location <BR> <BR>At the upper end of that range you'll find hotels that are especially well located, probably fairly modern facilities and renovated within the last few years. <BR> <BR>If you don't care about being near sights or recommendable restaurants, don't mind looking over your shoulder while out after dark, enjoy lumpy mattresses and aren't anally retentive about cleanliness, hotels at the lower end of the range should be quite satisfactory. <BR> <BR>There are exceptions as in all things, but that's roughly the gamut. Choose the hotel for what's important to you: for the facilities it has, where it's located, and what people say about it. In Rome the number of stars has less meaning than almost anywhere else in Western Europe. <BR> <BR>twenj

claire

We stayed at the Hotel Aberdeen and likedd it very much. It was 190,000L in August. Spotless double room with a huge equally spotless bathroom. The bedroom had a small balcony overlooking the street and the bathroom had a large double window you could open if you wished. No, there wasn't any trouble with street noise. Good buffet breakfast included. Friendly, helpful staff. On Via Firenze, same street as the Rome opera house. Closer to the Colosseum and Forum and even Termini than to Piazza Navona & the Vatican, but we had no trouble getting around, mostly walking but sometimes taking taxis (not expensive). Depends on what you want. I know many people prefer to be able to step from their hotel into the evening stroll areas. We didn't mind a walk or a 5-8 minute taxi ride.

Marianna

Hi Matt, <BR>I live and work in Rome as a tour guide and saw your post so thought I would help out. I agree with your response that location is very important, however it is nice if you can combine that with some other things. So I will give you a couple of my recommendations. <BR> <BR>Hotel Teatro di Pompeo, Largo del pallaro 8, 00186 Phone 06 6872812 <BR>Fax 06 6880 5531 <BR>This is a 3 star hotel in a fantastic location right by Campo di Fiori and Piazza Navona. This is a wonderful place for good restaurants and to sit in the Piazza sipping good wine, eating great food and people watching. <BR> <BR>Another one in the same location (round the corner) is <BR>Hotel Campo di Fiori, Via del Biscione 6, 00186 Phone 06 6880 6865 <BR>Fax 06 687 6003 <BR> <BR>Hotel Ponte Sisto, Via dei Pettinari 64, 00186 <BR>phone 06 6863100 <BR>email: [email protected] <BR>This is an elegant hotel well situated between the historical centre and the wonderful area of Trastevere. <BR> <BR>Matt, our office is just around the corner from these hotels so I have had quite a lot ofp eople on my tours that have stayed in them and all have spoken very highly of them. <BR> <BR>By the way if you are interested in doing any tours while you are in Rome we offer the Vatican City, Ancient City (Forums) Bella Roma (Trevi, Pantheon, Piazza Navona etc) and day trips to Pompei and Capri as well as private tours. Please feel free to look at our web site at <BR>www.odyssey-tours.com <BR> <BR>All my guides are experienced, have a great sense of humour and are passionate about what they do. We also offer all tours in a small group situation. <BR> <BR>I hope this helps you in your hotel decision making. If I can be of help in any other way please feel free to email me direct at <BR>[email protected] <BR> <BR>Safe travels and happy planning <BR>Marianna

Marianna

Sorry Matt I forgot to mention that the hotels are around £220,000 to £300,000. Yes it is definately possible to get something reasonable for this price. £400,000 is definately at the upper end for a 3 star hotel. <BR>Ciao <BR>Marianna

Matt

Ed: Thanks for the feedback. Here is where I'm getting stuck. The 200.000 and 400.000 hotels that I've found at are very near each other, close to Pz. Navona. So I don't think that I would be concerns with a seedy area. I'm assuuming that the main difference is one is a pensione vs. more of a hotel, which would offer more amenities should I need it.

Diane

Matt, have you searched for any of the hotels you're looking at on this forum? Pick two at the lower end and two at the upper end and see what people have said about them. Check Rants and Raves to see if any are noted there. Are you looking for a single or a double? How many nights are you staying? Saving 200,000 lira per night for 5 of more nights is a pretty big difference.

Matt

I'm looking for a double near Pz. Navona. Yes, I know that 200.000 over 5 nights is a big savings, that's why I'm wondering why I should pay more for the higher priced places. For expamle, Santa Chiara comes very highly recommended, but they are quoting me 390.000. Is it worth it? I'm sure that many will say yes. But some of the places that are quoting 200.000 to 250.000 are only a block away. I know that I need to weigh my priorities, but the cost savings is attrative. Any suggestions?

Ed

Nice hotels are enjoyable. But it's hard to eat them, and most of us spend relatively little time in them. <BR> <BR>I plead guilty to occasionally having splurged on a hotel here and there. Overall, though, when there's been a question of which hotel or which room, I've tended to underspend by $25-50 a night rather than overspend. Especially in Rome, I can always use the savings to find another spectacular meal. <BR> <BR>