Rome Hotel near the main sights
Mar 4th, 2008, 09:14 AM
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Rome Hotel near the main sights
A friend will be in Rome in September for a few days and needs some suggestions on a good hotel near the main sights. She can afford $300/night. Needs to be clean, safe, decent with modern bathroom.
What do the Rome experts suggest?
What do the Rome experts suggest?
Mar 4th, 2008, 09:19 AM
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My friend Bookchick suggests this one for a single lady--near Spanish Steps.
www.hotelsancarloroma.com
www.hotelsancarloroma.com
Mar 4th, 2008, 10:06 AM
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How are the bathrooms in this hotel- modern?
Is it within walking distance of transportation?
Does the hotel have an elevator?
Are the rooms big or small? European rooms tend to be on the small size but not all.
Is it within walking distance of transportation?
Does the hotel have an elevator?
Are the rooms big or small? European rooms tend to be on the small size but not all.
Mar 4th, 2008, 10:36 AM
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I visited a single friend in the San Carlo. Her single was smallish, but the bathroom was large. Both were in a rather spare modern design, but very clean.
There was an elevator. But as I recall, some steps were used, too.
Public transportation: the Spagna metro stop was not far, and there were bus stops a few more blocks away. The San Carlo is in the Piazza di Spagna area, which is fairly compact and central.
My friend was a single woman, but she travels alone a good deal. But I thought this was a good location for a single woman.
There might be hotels I would like a little better, but maybe not if I were alone at night.
There was an elevator. But as I recall, some steps were used, too.
Public transportation: the Spagna metro stop was not far, and there were bus stops a few more blocks away. The San Carlo is in the Piazza di Spagna area, which is fairly compact and central.
My friend was a single woman, but she travels alone a good deal. But I thought this was a good location for a single woman.
There might be hotels I would like a little better, but maybe not if I were alone at night.
Mar 4th, 2008, 10:41 AM
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I indeed recommend the San Carlo. The most efficient way to contact them is via fax (remember the time difference), but include an e-mail address where they can reach you and they will be in touch in short order. IMO the location is unbeatable, bathrooms modern and marble and the staff will help you in any way possible. Have your friend tell them I sent her, they know me as Signora Kathleen Kelly. I plan to be there very soon myself, with 3 other American ladies.
BC
BC
Mar 4th, 2008, 11:05 AM
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Husband or not, I'd still recommend it. I'd also recommend a double superior room; the bathroom will be larger than some European hotels' bedrooms. If they'd like a little terrace where they can breakfast or have a drink, ask for Room #80. Lots of good restaurants in the area, too, and a nice variety--some very chic and somewhat pricey, others much less so. The Spagna Metro, two cab stands and places to catch the bus are all within a very short walking distance, but even without those modes of transportation, I still find the location quite walkable.
Buon Viaggio to your pals,
BC
Buon Viaggio to your pals,
BC
Mar 4th, 2008, 03:16 PM
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Mar 4th, 2008, 03:35 PM
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If your friend is planning to spend a good bit of time at the Vatican, I'd recommend the Hotel Alimandi, just a few steps from the Vatican Wall and very convenient to the museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's, etc. A subway stop is nearby, but it is also possible to walk to the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, Campo dei Fiori (all about thirty to forty minutes). The location is quiet, the rooms are good-sized, and there's a great gelateria across the street. Rooms start at 140 Euro per night. An added bonus (f you're arriving at the airport) is that there are a few free shuttles to and from the airport each day. The staff is fun and friendly.
Mar 5th, 2008, 09:32 PM
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Teatro Pace 33 is very well situated. http://www.hotelteatropace.com
We have stayed there twice and enjoy it because of its loction right off of Piazza Navona--a great location for night time strolling and activity.
I just looked at their site and they have a fantastic special for this week--not the usual price at all. Things must be slow in Rome right now.
We have stayed there twice and enjoy it because of its loction right off of Piazza Navona--a great location for night time strolling and activity.
I just looked at their site and they have a fantastic special for this week--not the usual price at all. Things must be slow in Rome right now.
Mar 6th, 2008, 09:44 AM
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We only spent one night in the San Carlo Hotel, and this is my impression:
This small hotel is well-located, but it has a quirky layout. Two of our double rooms had bathrooms where the shower spills onto the floor...the grandkids thought it was fun.
Our room (the third one) had a long corridor entrance with the bathroom off of it and a step up into the bedroom. The hotel had air conditioning and that was all that mattered in 90 degree heat.
None of the three bathrooms were particularly attractive, but they were clean (old soap dishes and old faucets).
The breakfast room is directly behind the front desk and it is cramped. People are literally on top of each other. It was the most disappointing breakfast on our trip. Most of the food was prepackaged.
We stayed at this hotel because our first choice, Albergo Cesari, was undergoing a complete renovation at the time.
If were to stay in Rome on a future visit, I would certainly consider the Albergo Cesari.
This small hotel is well-located, but it has a quirky layout. Two of our double rooms had bathrooms where the shower spills onto the floor...the grandkids thought it was fun.
Our room (the third one) had a long corridor entrance with the bathroom off of it and a step up into the bedroom. The hotel had air conditioning and that was all that mattered in 90 degree heat.
None of the three bathrooms were particularly attractive, but they were clean (old soap dishes and old faucets).
The breakfast room is directly behind the front desk and it is cramped. People are literally on top of each other. It was the most disappointing breakfast on our trip. Most of the food was prepackaged.
We stayed at this hotel because our first choice, Albergo Cesari, was undergoing a complete renovation at the time.
If were to stay in Rome on a future visit, I would certainly consider the Albergo Cesari.
Mar 6th, 2008, 10:08 AM
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Well, it's differences of opinion that make both horse races and political caucuses, I believe Mark Twain has observed.
The breakfast is indeed continental. However, "pre-packaged" I'm not quite so sure is accurate, since I've seen with my own eyes the staff coming down the street in the very early morning from the bakery on via della Croce with breakfast rolls in huge baskets to be served at the San Carlo's breakfast that day. In over a dozen stays there, I have never heard of the bathroom arrangement you've described i_am_kane, nor have I experienced it for myself. The breakfast room is indeed cramped which is why room service delivery of breakfast is gratis, and why breakfast itself is not a separate charge. I am truly so very sorry you were so disappointed in your stay at the San Carlo. My stays there have all been delightful and my friends call me "really picky" and "very particular" about hotel choices in Europe and elsewhere.
BC
The breakfast is indeed continental. However, "pre-packaged" I'm not quite so sure is accurate, since I've seen with my own eyes the staff coming down the street in the very early morning from the bakery on via della Croce with breakfast rolls in huge baskets to be served at the San Carlo's breakfast that day. In over a dozen stays there, I have never heard of the bathroom arrangement you've described i_am_kane, nor have I experienced it for myself. The breakfast room is indeed cramped which is why room service delivery of breakfast is gratis, and why breakfast itself is not a separate charge. I am truly so very sorry you were so disappointed in your stay at the San Carlo. My stays there have all been delightful and my friends call me "really picky" and "very particular" about hotel choices in Europe and elsewhere.
BC
Mar 6th, 2008, 10:59 AM
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I'm a big fan of the Residenza in Farnese, just off the Piazza Farnese and to one side of the Palazzo Farnese. A couple of minutes from the Campo dei Fiori. It's a four star but I think pretty good prices. About 5 minutes walk to Piazza Navona, maybe 10 minutes to the Pantheon or Capitoline Hill. In a different direction, following the Tiber, a 15 minute walk to the Vatican.
Very clean, good sized rooms (even the singles are a decent size) great breakfast, very nicely decorated and modern with good bathrooms and air-conditioning. Good breakfasts.
I've stayed there a half-dozen times, usually as a solo traveller, and have always felt completely safe.
www.residenzafarneseroma.it
Very clean, good sized rooms (even the singles are a decent size) great breakfast, very nicely decorated and modern with good bathrooms and air-conditioning. Good breakfasts.
I've stayed there a half-dozen times, usually as a solo traveller, and have always felt completely safe.
www.residenzafarneseroma.it
Mar 6th, 2008, 11:17 AM
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Hi Bookchick,
To be honest with you, I chose the San Carlo Hotel based on your comments on Fodors. Maybe my expectations were too high.
I did say "most" of the breakfast food was prepackaged, and because we were rushed early in the morning, the hotel told us to take whatever food we couldn't eat with us in the taxi cab to the airport.
I'm sure you have had wonderful experiences at this hotel, as you report, but I felt it was important to let the OP read about my family's experience.
No offense was intended.
To be honest with you, I chose the San Carlo Hotel based on your comments on Fodors. Maybe my expectations were too high.
I did say "most" of the breakfast food was prepackaged, and because we were rushed early in the morning, the hotel told us to take whatever food we couldn't eat with us in the taxi cab to the airport.
I'm sure you have had wonderful experiences at this hotel, as you report, but I felt it was important to let the OP read about my family's experience.
No offense was intended.
