Donna

Based on recommendations from this site I have contacted all 3 of the above hotels and I was suprised they were all available for our visit in August. Now I'm trying to make a choice and wonder if some of you seasoned travellers mighht be able to help me narrow it down. They are all in the same price range . I do have to get back to them in the next few day so I would appreciate your help. Thanks.

Wayne

I don't know about Casa Howard. The choice between the other two, in my opinion, is Santa Chiara. And if you want to be around the Pantheon (Santa Chiara is behind it) there is another hotel called the Senato which is in front of the Pantheon that also falls in the same range for price and quality.

elaine

Donna<BR>I stayed at the Santa Chiara last fall.<BR>My single room was pretty small, but no smaller than double rooms I know in Paris. The breakfast buffet was outstanding, making lunch not necessary on most days. The hotel provides laundry service (pricey) if you want it, made dinner reservations for me, reservations at venues like Domus Aurea, etc. Outstanding location imo.<BR>Decor was pleasant, perhaps not outstandingly charming. No drawer space, but a closet with some shelves. Surprisingly large bathroom, although the shower stall was only coffin-sized. <BR>I would definitely stay there again.<BR>Ask for a quiet room facing the back.<BR>Even though via Santa Chiara at the front of the hotel is a very small street, it gets a lot of motor cycle traffic.

Donna

Thanks for your responses. That's 2 votes for the Santa Chiara. Is there anyone who could compare it with Casa Howard?

Book Chick

The green room & the pink room in Casa Howard are pretty good sizes. The pink room has a king size bed & I think the green room's bed is about the same. The chinese room there is the smallest, the blue & white rooms are medium. The air-conditioning works well there & it's very close to the Spanish Steps (3-minute walk), Trevi fountain (5-minute walk)& Via del Corso (4-minute walk)and, if you want to avoid trudging your way to the Vatican/St.Peter's in the heat, the Metro system. I loved all the great customer service & personalized attention they gave me. I just returned from a 10-day stay a couple of weeks ago. I also liked how they have a well-stocked full sized refrigerator full of ice & beverages for the guests.<BR><BR>Buon Viaggio, no matter what your choice,<BR>BC

lisa

We were there last August. Santa Chiara's location is outstanding and the breakfast is very good. Our double was pretty small but had a large balcony overlooking a sidestreet and had a very nice bathroom. It was clean and comfortable but the decor was pretty unremarkable, bordering on institutional -- nothing particularly charming about it. Staff was efficient and helpful but not terribly friendly. I would definitely stay there again, because I think the location is pretty unbeatable and the price is good. Contrary to some reviews we had read, the air conditioning in our room worked great (and you need it in August!).