Purdue74

We are a mother and daughter spending 3 nights in Rome prior to a cruise. Both the Albergo Del Senato and Mellini hotels have been recommended to us. We need help in making the choice. Which one is in the best location for us to be able to walk to the most places for sightseeing and dinner? Has anyone stayed in either hotel and can comment on whether they had a good stay?

Jean

IMO, the Del Senato is in a better location, esp. for first-timers to Rome. It's also a long-time favorite of many Fodorites.

nyse

We stayed at the Dei Mellini and loved it - very close to the Vatican and a few doors down from a Police Station, so the street always seemed to be filled with young officers. Good price (in 2006) and a wonderful included breakfast. But you probably can't go wrong with either.
Have a good trip + cruise!

WWK

I think the Vatican is too far from almost everything else. I would go with Albergo Del Senato, which is a lovely hotel ( been there five or six times now) in an excellent central location.

Purdue74

Thanks for your responses. My daughter wants Barocco Hotel, Hotel Campo De Fiori, and Hotel Raffaello also thrown in the mix, if anyone can comment on them. We appreciate the help as we are first-timers to Italy.

WWK

What is your daughter's criteria for choosing these hotels? Hotel Campo Dei Fiori is very nice, great area/location. I think Hotel Raffaello is close to Termini, but not far from the Colosseum. I doubt you will be disappointed by Albergo del Senato if you can get in. Even the standard rooms are nice by Rome standards, and the location is unbeatable.

Jean

If the location of the hotel is more important to you than specific aspects of the individual properties, you need to locate the hotels on a map of Rome and see which one is closest to the center of your sightseeing plans. The del Senato often wins this Mapquest challenge because it's more or less equidistant from the top sights that tourists (esp. first-timers) have on their list.

If the hotels themselves are more important than location, you can read reviews on booking.com, expedia.com, tripadvisor.com, etc.

CaWino

The Albergo Del Senato is in an excellent position not far from the Pantheon and just a few minutes from Piazza Navona. I have not stayed there, but have been to Rome five times and have toured the Albergo de Senato as a potential place to stay in the future. The public space and lobby are stunning with lots of marble. If I'm not mistaken, I think they have a rooftop restaurant, too.

msteacher

Hotel Campo de Fiori is fantastic. It's location is excellent... We stayed there last year and easily walked to all major sites, including the Vatican. Rooms are lovely, and it's rooftop terrace is a particularly wonderful feature. Buon viaggio!

bab706

We have stayed twice at the Albergo del Senato and thoroughly enjoyed our experience at this hotel. Rooms are beautiful, clean and spacious. The customer service is wonderful - from the time you walk in until you leave - expect nothing but the best. The location cannot be beat - right across from the Pantheon. It very centrally located and you can walk most everywhere. There are lots of very good restaurants within walking distance as well. If you choose the del Senato, you will not be sorry.

hanabilly

Although I have not stayed at any of the hotels you mentioned other than Albergo Del Senato, I agree that you would not be disappointed there. The location is perfect and the staff could not be more gracious and helpful. My favorite memory of our last stay in Rome is opening the shutters early in the morning and looking out at the dome of the Pantheon, and the piazza below coming to life. Starting each sightseeing day with a quick visit to the Pantheon, before the crowds, felt like a special privilege.

WWK

Yes, Albergo del Senato does have a lovely rooftop terrace open only-I think- in the prime summer months. You didn't say when you are going, but if you're looking at this summer, you may need to see what's available first before choosing any hotel in Rome!

NYCFoodSnob

The Del Senato is lovely, but, buyer beware: 99% of the rooms at the Del Senato are tiny, regardless of the view. Researchers must carefully watch the Virtual Tour of their Superior Doubles, available at their website, to see how small their rooms are. The distance between bed and chairs/wall is worse than what one finds in Japan hotels. They offer a great, central location, but IMO, the rooms are way too claustrophobic.

The Dei Mellini is recently renovated. However, this is not what one would call "central." Hence, the competitive prices and active duty on TripAdvisor. Not only are you a bit of a walk to the Vatican, you're on the Vatican side of the Tiber, which is quite a hike to the Pantheon, Piazza Venezia, and the Colosseum.

Jean

Purdue74, perhaps if you told us your actual budget, you'd get some other options to consider. And tell us whether location or hotel ambiance/amenities are more important to you.