We stayed with our kids at the Albergo del Senato in Rome this past summer. It is a great hotel, overlooking the Pantheon. I would highly recommend it.

You haven't stated your budget though, and doing so would help, as there are many family friendly hotels in Rome.

Sorry but cannot help with Sorrento.

A budget would be extremely helpful. Have you considered staying in an apartment in Rome? They're often around the same price as a hotel, and with tweens, would give you more space. I had a great experience last year with sleepinitaly.com. We got a two-bedroom apartment near Piazza Navona for €120/night, plus a cleaning fee. It wasn't luxurious and was on the fourth floor (no elevator), but suited our purposes perfectly.

Our budget is low end but not cheap. We want to get the most out of our trip with the least amount of money but do not want to cheap out on anything. And I did not mention that we are thinking of arriving Holy Friday. Are we crazy? That is why I want to land in Rome, then take off for Sorrento for a long weekend. Return to see Rome monday.

"Low end" to some here is more like moderate or semi-luxury to others - it's all relative. That's why a number would be helpful. Are you hoping to average €150 a night? €200? Quad hotel rooms are harder to find in Europe than in the States, so are you thinking of two rooms? Those kinds of answers make it easier for people to give you recommendations.

Yes, you need to specify a budget, low end to me is 70-90 euros, low end to moderate is 90-130 euros, and anything over 150 is too much for me( these are prices for doubles, you will need two doubles/twins or one quad) , but for others those numbers could be completely different.

I stayed at the Hotel Selene in Rome a few years ago, they have quads( Family rooms) ,which as mentioned are harder to find in Europe. Good a/c and nice moderate newish washrooms.

Are you arriving after a long, overnight flight? If so, you'll be jet lagged and sleepy, not in good condition to drive in a strange country.

By Sorrentino did you mean Sorrento? If so, from Rome's Fiumicino airport, you take a train to Rome's Stazione Termini, then switch to a train to Naples. You can buy both tickets at the airport train station. In Naples' main train station walk downstairs to catch the Circumvesuviana commuter train to Sorrento.

It makes more sense to stay a few days in Rome. Or change your flight to go into Naples. There's a bus from Naples' airport to Sorrento.

Agree that you need to clarify if 1) you are looking for two rooms or one family room for all 4 of you and 2) a specific budget in $ or euros. As pointed out people have very differnt ideas of budgets.