anitajane

Help!!! My lovely adult daughter and I are going to Italy for the first time next May. I am a new Fodorite and really appreciate all the travel tips.
Our heads are spinning with the huge number of hotels... we have read so many reviews (positive and negative) that we are confused!
We really want something that speaks to us of Rome, and also is easy to find transport or walk to and from. I've had polio (I'm 53) but can walk without assistance for quite a ways (all day, if it is at a leisurely pace).
I guess the most important thing is a CLEAN bathroom!
Any suggestions would help so much! Thank you, Anita

WebVisionItaly

I would plan to stay in the centro - near Campo di Fiori. Here's a video introduction to the area.

http://www.webvisionitaly.com/catego...p;ref_item=180

Once you choose an area it should be easier to find a hotel. What's the budget? How many days in Rome? How does an apartment sound?

anitajane

I should mention that I do not use a cane or walker. We also love Renaissance art.

anitajane

We will probably be there for 6 nights and although we are not in the $1000 a night range, we have quite a bit of leeway budget wise.

Weadles

I can highly recommend ALBERGO DEL SENATO, a small 4-star hotel located just across a tiny lane from the Pantheon. When we stayed there, we had a small sixth-floor suite (2 rooms) with a tiny balcony facing the Pantheon.

This hotel is within easy walking distance of Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain, and as mentioned, across the street from The Pantheon. It's a little farther ( about 20 minutes or so) from the Colosseum. The area is bustling into the early morning hours, and has lots of excellent gelato shops (!) and trattorias.

tuscanlifeedit

I also like the Hotel Portoghesi, in the same general area. You should be able to easily get an above standard room there. I like the hotel because of its location and somewhat stylish rooms.

We have stayed in a few standard doubles there that were fine, but a little tight. Very sparkling baths.

Lots of shopping and food choices close at hand.

bobthenavigator

Albergo Cesari is my wife's favorite. I too love the location.

Reisender

We really enjoyed out stay at Hotel Rex on via Torino. Excellent hotel and pretty centrally located.

http://www.hotelrex.net/eng/home_eng.asp

Grinisa

Another vote for the Albergo Del Senato. We've stayed there quite a few times, always in the Senior Suite which has two bedrooms and a large balcony overlooking the Pantheon and Piazza della Rotonda. Any of the rooms would be nice however and the hotel is exceptionally clean and the staff friendly and helpful. You can't get much more central.

hausfrau

You can't go wrong with the Albergo del Senato, but if you are on a more limited budget, my mother and I absolutely adored Residenza Canali. Their website says it all:
www.residenzacanali.com/01english.html

Both are well-situated for walking to many sights. The Canali does not have an elevator, but the friendly staff will carry your luggage up.

Weekender

I loved the Albergo del Senato as well. The location cannot be beat and the rooftop bar should be lovely in May. Very good staff, too. Don't worry-the bathroom was sparkling....

Weekender

Anita:

Thanks to this forum, I read about the Albergo del Senato as well as the Locanda Orseolo in Venice and the Hotel Florence in Bellagio. This forum is an absolute wealth of information, much of which is never found in guidebooks. Have fun with you planning.

teacherlady

If you can swing it, try to stay at the Albergo del Senato. It is truly lovely and so close to everything. You look out your window at the Pantheon and that in itself is amazing, but then go up to the roof terrace at night and be truly impressed. We were just there a few days ago and I would go back in a second. On that same recent trip, we stayed at the Hotel Due Torri which is also very nice and comfortable, just a whole lot cheaper. It actually was quieter than the del Senato and the breakfast buffet was better. It's just down the street from the Spanish Steps in a little hard-to-find alley. I definitely would recommend it as well.

tuscanlifeedit

The Due Torri and Portoghese are within a block of one another. It is a good location. A little less money than the del Senato. I think the P. has more stylish rooms that the d. Torri, but would stay at either again.

anitajane

Thank you all for the wonderful replies.... you have helped tremendously.

Fra_Diavolo

We stayed at the Portoghesi about a year and a half ago and liked it quite a lot. Also stayed at the Albergo Santa Chiara, somewhat closer. Got a bit noisy at night, though.

The best hotel in the area, although it is quite pricey, is the Grand Hotel de la Minerva, across the square from the Santa Chiara.

socialworker

Funny, we also stayed at the Santa Chiara and found it to be very quiet, situated as it is on a tiny side street just around the corner from the bustling Piazza Navona. Perhaps the location of the room makes a difference. Also as it was early June and hot, we had the windows closed and the AC on.

Fra_Diavolo

Ah, ours was in winter, windows closed. There were often loud groups of students larking about, and then, in the early morning, refuse trucks collecting trash, nearly all of which seemed to clang and crash and splinter.

Still liked the place.

Jayne11159

My sister, daughter and I are visiting Rome next month and wanted to stay at the Albergo Del Senato but nothing was available. AFter a lot of reseach I've booked the Navona Gallery Suites. http://www.navonagallerysuites.com/
It gets excellent reviews on Tripadvisor and I found the rate very reasonable given its location (next to the Piazza Navona).

anitajane

Again, thank you all so much! I read your posts on all the topics religiously!