Anna_Issa

Hello Everyone. I've booked 3 nights in the Valadier Hotel (VIA DELLA FONTANELLA, ROME)for this coming November, prior to taking a 10-day cruise. Before reserving I did a bit of research in different sites and came to the conclusion that this hotel is not the best, but it's also not the worst (price, location,service). However, I was wondering if you or anyone you know has stayed their recently and can comment on it. The posts I've read are pretty old.

Please help. I don't want to be too surprised when I get there.

Thank you all for your time.

HappyCheesehead

Mine is probably one of the old posts you read, LOL, as we stayed in November of 2001. I was sure surprised when I got there.

I was very happy with the place in the end, as soon as I upgraded my room to a Jr Suite, but I really disliked the rooms they tried to give me at first. It was the first hotel stop on our first trip to Europe and I sure learned a few lessons that have been very valuable in all our subsequent trips to Europe.

Enjoy your stay in Rome!

sssteve

We stayed there twice. It's near the Piazza Popolo, and we enjoyed our stay there. The room was kind of small, but the mirrors on the ceiling made the room seem bigger.

Anna_Issa

Thanks HappyCH and SSSteve for replying. I don't mind small rooms, since I try not to spend vacation time locked up in a bedroom. Although, I do like the idea of mirrors.

Is the hotel too far from the Vatican or the Coliseum; more than a 30 min. walk each way? Did you eat at their restaurant? I just want to have an idea. Thanks.

HappyCheesehead

Hi Anna Issa:

It wasn't the small room that bothered me, it was the dirty, stained carpets and furniture upholstery, and the cigarette burns in the bedspread and furniture.

We upgraded to a Jr Suite and it was just lovely and had marble tables, fresh flowers, artwork and big windows with lots of big windows and light. Very pretty, and I would hope that they have fixed up that junky room I was offered by now!.

The location is on the northern edge of the historical center, but we walked EVERYWHERE and loved it. There is a metro station just north of the hotel at Piazza del Popolo which was very convenient.

We did walk to the Vatican from the hotel, but that was only because there was a one day transit strike that particular Wednesday. Normally I would suggest public transport or a cab. It was a long walk, more than 30 min as I recall. The Coliseum would be under 30 if you are reasonably fit.

We only ate breakfast there, but the room was nice and we enjoyed good service and a decent selection of breakfast offerings.

Hope this helps!

Anna_Issa

Happy Cheesehead. Now I got it. I pray that by now they've made changes for the better. If not, I'll have to do the same as you - upgrading, since I certainly cant't deal with "dirty" and "smelly". Thanks

snook

We stayed there 2 years ago, had a lovely room, though it was on the small side. The bathroom was spotless as was the room. Our room overlooked the street but we heard no street noises other than the normal Rome sounds. There is nothing else much on the street other than a gelato place and the Valadier restaurant and wine bar.

We enjoyed having a last drink in the piano bar in the lobby each evening.
The staff was very attentive, the breakfast very ample and good. Our room wasn't ready when we checked in, they said it would be about 1 hour , to have a seat and then they brought us complimentary cappuchinos while we waited.

I'd have no qualms about staying there again.

I can't comment on the A/C as we were there in Feb. .

Anna_Issa

Snook. Thanks for your input. Since you mentioned their restaurant, did you get to eat there and sample their cuisine? I've read that it's a bit pricey. Although pricey doesn't mean good.

I do feel better now about having reserved there. Thanks again.

sssteve

As noted by cheesehead, the Valadier is located at the northern end of the tourist triangle. You can walk anywhere, although the two farthest points would be the colliseum and the Vatican. Combine a visit to the colliseum with a walk done Via del Corso, a visit to Piazza Venezia for the best view of Rome, and then turn left to the colliseum. Take a taxi or public transportation back to the hotel.

As for a nice restaurant not far from the Valadier, I suggest Il Gabriello on Via Vittorio, # 51.

Anna_Issa

sssteve - Thanks for your suggestion on II Gabriello on Via Vittorio. Is this rest. just for dining or are they open for lunch? I'm a bit worried, since so many people post negative comments on restaurants in Rome's tourist areas (tourist traps). Before I get to Rome, I would like to have a list of restaurants to look for and those to avoid. As I mentioned before, I'll only be in Rome 3 days, but I would like to make the best of my time their. Planning a first trip to Europe is pretty overwhelming, since one has to deal with many cultural changes.

HappyCheesehead

Hi Anna Issa:

I am sure the room you get will be perfectly nice, and if it is not up to par you can ask to see another.

I have learned since since that first trip to leave hubby at the desk with the bags while I check out a few rooms.

By the way, when we were there about 5 years ago there was a restaurant called Pizzaria Re pretty close, it was a cute casual place and had brick oven pizzas that were really great, not too expensive.

sssteve

As for Il Gabriello, I don't know about lunch. We ate there in the evening - twice.
For lunch, go to Ala Rampa near the Spanish steps. Or, we also enjoyed a restaurant not far from your hotel - "La Bruschetta" near the Via Venuto and the entrance to the Villa Borghesi Park area.

Check out my web page on our last visit to Rome, which included a week in Tuscany. I described several restaurants there.
http://www.travel.stv77.com/tuscany2005/tuscany05.htm