What are some of your favorite hotel rooms in Italy?

Two favorites:
1. Our third-floor room in the Belvedere Hotel in Bellagio, which offered a magnificent view overlooking Lake Como.
2. Even more impressive was our second-floor room in the Covo dei Saraceni in Positano. We walked up the cirular staircase to our room, entered, walked to the shutters, opened them to be met with the most spectacular view of the Positano hillside. It was truly unreal!

The Pink Room at Casa Howard in Rome, with large bathtub & shower & king-sized bed. Lovely location near the Spanish Steps, no elevator, but the walk up is about half a true flight of stairs.

Room #76 at the Hotel San Carlo in Rome. Exquisite bathroom, replete with marble, full tub & shower, large bed, armoire, desk, small table & chairs. Room service breakfast delivered at no additional charge.

Haven't actually had a bad hotel room in Italy...France is another story, however...

BC

I have stayed at the Sirenuse in Positano several times and each was in a deluxe sea view room. All were spectacular, with private terraces overlooking the town and the sea. In Rome, the double deluxe room we had at the St. Regis Grand was fairly standard for the hotel but a picture of that room should be in the dictionary to define "five star hotel room". Gorgeous furnishings, fabrics, a fresco on the wall, huge and a bathroom that was nothing short of divine. A close second was the suite at the Raphael on the fifth floor--a cozy, romantic enclave to ourselves steps away from the Piazza Navona. Our standard double room at the Villa San Michele in Fiesole was so luxurious the monk that formerly inhabited it would be ashamed. It had a fireplace so big we could stand in it, but it didn't have a view of Florence. The junior suites at the Villa D'Este in Cernobbio overlooking Lake Como were lovely. Large rooms, beautifully furnished and a view of the lake and mountains. Least favorite rooms: double "deluxe" at the Hassler in Rome. Small, dark and bordering on shabby. Double deluxe at the San Pietro. Weird decor in a huge white room just left us cold. And the winner of least favorite room-double at the Due Torri in Rome. Tiny, broken furniture, torn and greasy wallpaper, wires sticking out of walls, non working t.v. and a joke of a bathroom that flooded the whole room when you took a shower. And it was above the garbage dumpster. Truly the worst.

I have stayed in quite a few mediocre rooms in hotels in Italy - - but this was by choice - - I often think I have better ways to spend my money. And call it a paradox if you will but often that has meant going to some of the hotels where I chose not to stay - - but did go for lunch or dinner. Add to this that I have stayed more nights in a villa in Italy in my life than in a hotel.

Some good rooms and their associated hotels, in which I actually HAVE stayed:

Albergo del Senato (Rome) - - can't tell you the room number but directly facing the Pantheon, about three floors up, I think.

Bonvecchiati (Venice) - - the very tip top room in the hotel (one floor above where the elevator goes). An irregularly shaped room with a weird long narrow bathroom, and technically, a little canal view, out the window (yawn). I think probably the best room in the house, of which there are quite a few mediocre other rooms (I have stayed there three times).

Hotel Fontanella and Hotel Umbra (Assisi) - - two different stays, and I can't say that the room was per se, all that memorable, but overall, the stay was. The room at Fontanella was more memorable mostly because of the view over the Umbrian countryside below, and at Umbra we arrived quite late, had a great 2+ hour dinner, and I was so tired (room to myself), I just barely made it upstairs to collapse. But I still thought it was a great place.

Nyala Suites Hotel (San Remo) - - the room my wife and I had was pretty pedestrian, but one of the nieces had a phenomenal balcony, and at least a half dozen of us spent a great coupla hours looking out at the stars and the Mediterranean, enjoying whatever we drank. A fairly good bargain, and they kept us on their (snail) mail list for at least three years after that.

Hotel Grand Victoria Menaggio - - in a region of A+ hotels, I stayed in a C-/D+ room, but had an overall A-/B+ experience there.

But it did afford the opportunity to have dinner at BOTH Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni and Villa d'Este in Cernobbio.

Other great hotels where I have eaten include the St. Regis in Rome (Vivendo) and the rooftop at Minerve (also in Rome).

All of a sudden, I am pleasantly surprised to recall that the mediocre list is only about 50% of the total!

Best wishes,

Rex
rbmd@usa.net

I have had dozens actually--any room graced by my lovely Susan. We will do it again in Oct.

Another vote for Del Senato in Rome. We stayed on the 6th floor and had a little terrace that faced a Pantheon. The view was truly amazing. In Positano, we had a double in Hotel l'Ancora with a magnificent view of Positano and the sea.

In Venice, our room at the Londra Palace on Riva degli Schiavoni with our view of the Grand Canal and the gondolas docked below was excellent. Wonderful to watch people strolling by and assorted boats in the canal. Also, terrific view of S. Giorgio Maggiore across the Canal. Room was spacious and luxurious, and we didn't hear outside noise at night.

In Florence, Gallery Hotel Arte, close to the Ponte Vecchio had large, modern rooms with an Asian flair. Terrific front desk service. Close to everything.

In Bellagio, the Villa Serbelloni was spectacular. Our room overlooked Lake Como, so we could see the lake traffic whenever we looked out the window. Also, the hotel fountains were just outside our windows. Large, luxurious room and bathroom.

Our first stay in Venice, we were at the Continental, not far from the train station. The neighborhood wasn't our favorite, but we had a corner room on the Grand Canal with one window looking across the canal and another looking down the canal. I'm an early riser. I spent a good hour every morning just watching the early service boat traffic--laundry boats, trash boats, produce boats, beer boats, etc. go about their daily business. Fascinating. Loved that room.

Castel Bigozzi near Monteriggioni. The walls were probably more than a foot thick. The bathroom was two rooms -- a sink with mirror outside the main bath, a sink, toilet and jacuzzi tub in the main bath. Fabulous views out bathroom and bedroom windows. Antique furniture, but new mattresses and high-end bedding and linens. Extremely comfortable, wonderful place.

While not nearly as posh, a room at Leon Bianco in Venice was floor to ceiling windows looking over the Grand Canal. Super clean, room, funny little bath. But, sigh...that Grand Canal view sure made an impression.

Last April, Villa Crespi at Lake Orta.
Our room was the size of a large living room and adjoining sitting room, small entry hall and the bath was pure Morocco fantasy. Gorgeous wood floors and a 4 poster bed with antiques. View of the lake and forest. Just like in the web site.The restaurant is pure gourmet, but the hotel is more of a
fantacy estate with an intimate setting.
Also, Hotel Excelcior Gallia in Milan next to the Station Centrale. The bas relief stampeding horses over the bed, fabulous original art deco furnishings and large, marbled bath. The rest of the hotel, fabulous restaurant, fabulously designed Baboon Bar and extremely competent concierge team got us around Milan and to La Scala with ease.

thank you , this is great!!

Thank you , this is great!!! Would love to hear more. This is a great help....

Our room at the Grotta Palazzese Hotel in Polignano di Mare. When they led us out of the lobby and down the little side street I thought they were taking us to the garage for our car. We came to a double "barn-door" type arrangement opening to the street and I thought, "how will we get our car in there?" But when the man opened it, I realized it was our multi-level stone vaulted room with a little balcony cantilevered out over the Adriatic, and a view of the "grotto" dining room below. It was a spectacular place, and the fact that it was less than $100 a night was even more incredible.

Loved my room at the San Michele overlooking the rooftops of Cortona with Lake Trasimeno in the distance. Bathroom was huge, too.

My four faves:

1. Top floor, center at the Albergo del Senato in Rome. Our french doors opened to a step-out balcony overlooking the facade and dome of the Pantheon. Sunrise and sunsets were spectacular. The monument and piazza were magical late at night and in the wee hours of the morning.

2. The top floor at Le Sirenuse in Positano. Nice size room, tastefully and simply decorated. Private balcony with nice table/chairs. French doors opened onto it, and framed "I galli," the famous siren isles. We slept every night with the doors open, lulled to sleep by the crashing waves. It was the most restful sleep we've ever had on a vacation.

3. Our hotel room at the Old Cataract hotel in Aswan, Egypt. It was kind of shabby, but in a faded glory sort of way. We had a huge corner room with an oversized terrace which viewed over the Nile and Elaphantine Island. It is an old British Colonial hotel, and it really felt that we were transported back in time. That made up for the shabbiness. It looked like something out of Indiana Jones (there was an archaeological dig on Elephantine Island whcih we could see), or an old Bogey film. It also helped because I was reading "Murder on the Nile," where Agatha Christy actually wrote the book and used it as a setting in the book.

4. Our room at the Maison Arabe in Maraccech, Morocco. It wasn't huge(but not small), but well designed, beautifully decorated, and impeccably kept (maid service 2x/day). Each day our fresh fruit & nut bowl was replenished and we had an enourmous bouqet of roses. There were pleasant original oil paintings. The bathroom was small, but had luxurious amenities and toiletries. We had a private terrace overlooking the main courtyard and 2 sets of double french doors. It was utterly relaxing and fulfilled everything you would dream of when you imagine Morocco. It was converted from an old riad (like a mansion).

My least favorite was at the Hotel Lyon-Mulhouse near Bastille in Paris. I was on a cheap France-Vacations package. The beds were horribly uncomfortable (we had neck & back aches), and our window opened up to an un-picturesque courtyard. There was a bakery which would bake in the early morning hours (long before sunrise). It woke me up every morning with all the banging of loading bakery trays onto racks. The bath tub was about 1/2 the length of a normal one.

Hey REX, I just wanted to say "Thank you," because I chose Albergo del Senato in large part because of your glowing reviews. We were not dissapointed, and we would go again!

What a fun post! My picks are as follows:
Bellagio - Hotel Belevedere
Santa Margherita: Hotel Continental
Assisi: Fontabella
Capri: Ceasar Augustus
Can't remember specific rooms but all were on the top floor overlooking breathtaking views.

our 4th floor , front and corner room at del Senato in Rome.
Felt like i could touch the Pantheon.
plus good breezes from cross ventilation

Locanda Leon Bianco,Venice
front /corner room with view on
Grand Canal.
3 large , tall windows with enough room to sit in.
Above Rialto Bridge, and right on canal, so no street traffic to make it too noisy.

My favorite hotel room in Italy (so far!) has to be Room No. 6 at the Hotel Alexander in Assisi, Italy. Owned by Hotel Dei Priori around the corner, this hotel is located in a medieval building across the street from the house where St. Francis was born (site of Chiessa Nuova now). This room is actually suite size with two adjoining bedrooms. My room's window opened up to the Piazza where St. Francis family had their carpet business. My Mom/s window opened to Piazza Minerva. Anybody that have been to Assisi knows this is a great location, with a gorgeous view of the Umbrian valley countryside,. A homelike atmosphere, the place is great for families. Great question!

I can't remember specific rooms but we loved Il Pelicano in Porto Ercole and Locanda dell Amorosa in Sinalunga. We're returning to Italy next month and I hope to have more favorites to add to the list!

<<I just wanted to say "Thank you," because I chose Albergo del Senato in large part because of your glowing reviews>>

Blushingly, I say thanks for your kind remarks which hit me like a bouquet of roses this morning.

But whee does the credit REALLY belong?

1. To the hotel itself... and...

2. To this forum, which keeps this kind of feedback fresh and alive. My 22 month old experience gets less and less reliable with the passing of everyday. But yours is now all the MORE valuable, SloPugs, because it it is current, and connects to a track record of prior good experience.

What a great little mutual admiration society we have here! or maybe just mutually beneficial actual (wannabe) friendships...

Hats off to Fodors... and thanks for a good thread, fairsat...

Venice - Hotel Europa & Regina....Ahhhhh, what a magnificent view from our huge balcony! We could sit out there sipping wine for hours!

Room #8 at the Hotel Beacci Tornabouni
in Florence. A room with a view and
a fabulous roof-top bar to welcome you
at the end of the day.

I am so glad everyone has enjoyed this post!!!

Since I am using all this info to plan my Italy honeymoon in September I would love to hear more on where I must go and must stay at!!!

I will tell you that we are considering Rome and the Coast.. But Venice looks so wonderfull wish we could fit in it to the 11 days we have.


Thanks again .. I a so happy that everyone has has fun with this. i have always loved telling people about my hotel rooms.

How exciting "Fairsat," to be going on your honeymoon! My advice: don't try to do too much in 11 days and spread yourselves (and the places you visit) thin. I would say this to almost anyone, and especially if you are on your honeymoon. Relax and enjoy!

Would love to hear more!!!!!!

Dear fairsat,

If you do go to Venice, my vote would be for the Hotel Flora. I can't remember which room but the service was wonderful. I loved the linen sheets and breakfast on the lanai. Very charming! We arrived early from an overnight train from Bari. We couldn't check in til noon. We asked if we could have breakfast then, since we weren't going to be able to the next day. No problem. Also, add another vote to Del Senato. Get a room with a view of the Pantheon. You won't be dissapointed. A beautiful hotel with a wonderful staff. Thanks for helping me remember our wonderful visit to Italy. And thanks to Rex and co. for all the great advice I received when researching my trip. My husband used to tease me because of all the time I spent but he was truly amazed at how accurate the advice was!

a lakeview room in the Hotel Du Lac in Varenna. I really loved this hotel, and the view is spectacular. one of my favorite hotels anywhere.

Venice-Pensione Accademia (room #22 I thnk), overlooks the canal, Murano glass chandelers, lovely tile bathroom with deep soaking tub, great hotel!

Paris-Hotel Muguet (room #6??), on the top floor with window view of the Eiffel Tower

Amsterdam-Canal House hotel, room overlooked the back garden and the church tower (near the Anne Frank House)

For the big splurge, Monte Carlo-Hotel de Paris, room was huge, bathroom incredible, more closet space that I have in my house, actually a mini-suite with a seating area, four poster bed, tiny balcony that overlooked the front, casio and sea views.

oops, I didn't realize this question was only about Italy. Oh well, a good post for other countries too!

Abbekit, I also stayed in #22 at the Accademia. Whie I liked the bathroom, I felt the room seemed a bit claustrophic with just one window. I prefer the sound of Nanb's room at Locanda Leon Bianco (in the same price range, I think.) If price were no object, fairsat, I'd choose the Europa Regina or Londra Palace.

Dear Fairsat,
We just returned from Italy last week and stayed at a lovely place in Florence that (I think) just opened this past summer - the Degli Orafi. Our very spacious room (with a gorgeous bath) looked out on the Ponte Vecchio, and the rooftop bar had a view of the Duomo. The bartender was friendly and informative and his suggestions really enhanced our trip.

We had another large room with a beautiful marble bath in Rome at the Savoy. Good location just off the Via Veneto & not far from the Spanish Steps.

We didn't have a bad room on the trip, but these were the best.

Two favorites come to mind:
Monterosso- Top floor of the Porto Rocco, with a big terrace overlooking the Ligurian Sea..the room was nice enough, but that terrace, that view..!

Venice, just last month- The Ca' dei Conti, located on a tiny canal not far from San Marco. The front door opens onto a little bridge, and our rooms overlooked the canal. Rooms were all very big--queen bed, sofa, chairs, table with two chairs, pretty desk, etc, plenty of room for our group of 8 to gather for drinks before going to dinner, and marble bathrooms with whirlpool tubs. Everything (inside) looks new. There is also a deck overlooking the canal which I imagine would be great in warm weather--a little chilly for February, though!

We didn't find our room at the Accademia claustrophic but yes it did only have one window. I think because of the high ceilings and bright, light walls it seemed open and airy. And, for European standards (in that price range) the room was large. That being said, I would probably look into something smaller and less expensive the next trip (that was our first trip to Venice and I read rave reviews of the Accademia and was taken by the Katherine Hepburn movie). We don't normally spend $160 a night for a hotel in Europe but I wanted a canal view.

I stayed at P.Accademia in Venice twice. Our double standard room (was not large)facing the side canal had 3 windows. The single I had when I was alone was sort of narrow and had one window but did not feel stuffy or miserable at all because of the high ceilings as abbekit says and because of the furniture with good taste. Your double with only 1 window, which number was it? I tried to avoid next time. My double standard with 3 windows was 43, I think.

Another vote for the top floor of Del Senato in Rome. Our balcony faced the Pantheon. Also, great view from our room in L'Ancora in Positano. The french door opened onto a little balcony. It was so quiet at night that you could sleep with the doors open.

HowardR, we had exactly the same experience at the Covo dei Saraceni in Positano. We've been back once and gotten the identical room we had the first time and I've booked it again for this coming September. Can't wait. It's magic.

Fairsat,
I have the perfect hotel room to be incorporated into your honeymoon. It is the corner suite at La Chiusa in Montefollonico (Southern Tuscany). The room has its own patio with table and chairs. The view is stunning. You look over San Biagio and the beautiful Tuscan rolling hills while sipping your delicious Brunello or Nobile. The bathroom is truly sumptuous. The circular jacuzzi tub is more than large enough to accommodate you and your hubby. There is also a two-man separate glass enclosed shower. The heated towels are plush. There is a fridge provided for you and anything else you can think of too. The staff is almost too gracious (they offered to peronally take our clothes to the laundry on the way home when we only asked for a laundromat recommendation). Also, the hotel is attached to an award winning restaurant of the same name. The food really is fantastic. However a dinner can be as expensive as staying the night. Just check that before you embark. The location is perfect for exploring Montepulciano, Pienza, Montalcino, San Quirico, Sant'Antimo, and all points inbetween. Have fun!

The Villa Minta in Stresa -- fabulous views of the Borommeo Islands from a room with a terrace that could house a small orchestra. The hotel has a boat that will take you out on a tour of the islands.

The Palazzo Murat in Positano. The upper floor seaview rooms are stunning, and the garden and restaurant are simply the best.

The Hotel Florence in Bellagio. The corner lakeview rooms are magical, the restaurant serves scrumptuous food lakeside during warm weather, and the service is wonderful.

The Castello di Verdunno in the Piedmont. A suite at this special place is a real treat. The restaurant serves some of the best food I've had in all of Italy.

The Castello di Spaltenna in Gaiole (Tuscany) has a superb 360 hilltop view and rooms are just wonderful. There's a lovely pool, sauna and all the amenities plus a restaurant that's fabulous.

The Miramare in Napoli. The seaview rooms even have balconies in the bathroom with tiles by Versace! The owner invited us up to the rooftop for a Prosecco and then sent us to a fantastic restaurant nearby for dinner.

I forgot one of my other favorites: The Torre di Bellosguardo in Florence. The tower room has 360 degree views over Florence and the Tuscan hillside. This is a genuine palace with stunning, majestic rooms. It's a real splurge and would be ideal for a honeymoon or anniversary celebration.

This is great , I love reading your posts!!! I am saving this in a file. I love hearing everyone's favorites. I to appreciate a great room , it really does make your vacation memorable.

We have decidedto stay at the coast (still deciding between Ravello and Positano) and then onto Capri. After 5 days or 6 days there we are thinking of heading up to Rome. Keep your favorites / dislikes comming. I am sure everyone is enyoying this as musch as I am!!!

Now were to stay in Rome and the Coast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Such a decision....

Don't mean to "beat a dead horse" but abbekit, for 160e #22 would have been great. We payed 225e! leading up to New Years. Too much!

Island of Capri, in the hotel Casa Morgano. Wonderful room with absolutely exquisite views, wonderful breakfast on the patio overlooking the sea, just a fabulous experience. And, fairly reasonable price-wise, all things considered.

I agree that $160 for the Accademia (the exchange rate in dollars not euros) was pretty good for a canal view room in Venice. It was off season, mid March last year. 3 windows instead of one would have been great but we were very happy with our room, just off the lovely 1st floor (2nd floor American) parlor.

Our room at the L'Albereta near lake Iseo was beautifully appointed and in a hotel/resort that offers every amenity in perfect taste including dinner prepared by Gualttiero Marchesi, the Italian Paul Bocuse. Also near lake Iseo was the I Due Roccoli where the views not only from the bedroom but also from the bathroom over the lake and its island were to die for. At the Roches Blanches in Cassis the rooms are named for flowers. I believe ours was the Hyacinth. It had a deck with fantastic views over the harbor to Cap Canaille. I too had a beautiful room at the Europa and Regina in Venice with a balcony that looked out on to the Grand Canal and over to the Santa Maria della Salute church. The sound of the gondoliers singing and playing their accordians Santa Lucia and Return to Sorrento was hokey but wonderfully romantic. We kept the windows open and awakened to a damp room as the fog rolled in. We had a bouquet of the tallest gladiolas ever. In San Vigilio at the Locanda San Vigilio on Lake Garda we shared a suite, actually a separate apartment with another couple. Wonderful rooms and baths as well as a sitting room and with a full dining table. And our room at the Cennobio dei Doge in Camogli was immediately adjacent to the pool with views out over the pool and the bay. But I'm still with Howard R those rooms on the second floor of the Covo dei Saraceni in Positano with their 180 degree plus view of the harbor and the cliffside village are the best ever.

Oh, and my least favorite was a room at the Bauer Grunewald in Venice. The hallways reminded me of a state hospital. Kept expecting people to emerge from "the quiet room" We supposedly had a Grand Canal view but it turn out to be the side canal and you could only see the grand canal if you stuck your head out the window and looked up the side canal to where it empties into the grand canal. Price for the place was way more than we should have been paying and so not worth it.

I forgot to mention perhaps our all-time favorite. It was our accommodations at Colle Villa in Trequanda in Tuscany. The name alone--the villa on the hill--promise a lot! And the reality surpassed the expectation. On the first morning, we got up, went to the window to capture a most magnificent view of the Tuscan hills. The second morning, it was even more spectacular. We arose as the sun was coming up to see a most incredible sight of total pink and blue--a pink sky and blue hills.

PS: If you want to see a photograph of that incredible sunrise, check out:
http://traveurope.net/fodorite/fodor.htm
Click on Fodorite pictures on this site, then click Italy. Then, find Howard in Italy [Tuscany] and click on Sunrise.

Can we add anymore to this??? This has been helpful but also a joy to read ,

I love this thread, this has been so helpful! Thank you

I had the good fortune to receive an upgrade for a night to the presidential suite at the Hotel D'Inghilterra (Via Bocca di Leone) about two blocks from the Spanish Steps in Rome. It was a great, three-room suite replete with a stocked library and terrace that would have been large enough to host a sizeable cocktail party. There were also great views of the city from the terrace.
MMM

ttt

Thanks, fairsat! I often wish some of the great threads of the past would be resurrected. J.

What a great thread. I also loved La Cisterna in San Giamigiano (sp) and the Piccolo in Orvieto. We had a wonderful room with a terrace in San G. It was magical.

Another vote for the Belvedere in Bellagio. We had a first floor room with a terrace. The views were beyond incredible.

I can't wait to go back to other part s of Italy in October.

Diane


Diane

Room 22 at Hotel LaTonnarela in Sorrento. Fabulous, huge tiled balcony overlooking the bay.

This is a great thread. I thought I would resurrect it since so many of you probably have more favorites from this last year.

Please, what about Milano ?

the "senior suite" at eh del Senato in Rome, has it's own private terrace looking out over the Pantheon.

The top floor of one of the small "villas" overlooking the sea at the Albergo Miramare in Formia- the view of Gaeta is stunning.

ttt

I'll agree that the "Senior Suite" at the Albergo del Senato in front of the Pantheon in Rome is wonderful. It is fairly small, but it is comfortable, romantic, perfectly situated for sight-seeing by foot, and the views are spectacular. The ambiance and atmosphere are top notch! I just stayed there this past Christmas with my husband & 2 kids and everyone loved it!

SloPugs: How old are your children? We are considering Albergo del Senato for a trip in June 2005 with our kids, who will be 13 and 16. Is the sr. suite large enough for the four of us, or would we do better to get two double rooms? We'd be staying 4 nights. Thanks for the reco!

We were upgraded to a suite at the Grand Hotel Baglioni in Bologna. (Still not over it!) Best dressing table lighting I've encountered, terrific bathroom,lush decor, free newspapers in lobby, marvelous staff, Roman ruins in the basement, and the scrambled eggs at breakfast were all yolk.. I swear. (Guess that's why I'm now on Lipitor.)

Carmen,
We just returned from rome, last week.
This was our second stay at the
del Senato.
The first time, I was with my sister, and she shared a double with my daughter , while I shared a double with my son.
This visit, I booked one of the Senior Suites, specifically for the terrace.
I was traveling with my 16 yr old son, my 13 yr old daughter and a 16 yr old friend of my son.The hotel says they have two of these(suites) with terraces.
One has two bedrooms, both with queen beds,
the other suite has two bedrooms also, one with queen bed and the other room , two twins.
It was this one I reserved, assuming my daughter and I could share, and the boys would have the twin beds.

The suite is lovely!
The bathroom is big and it was not the problem I thought it might be sharing it with 3 kids.
The room with twin beds is the one that has access to the terrace and the bathroom.
The other bedroom with the queen bed, was the disappointment.
The bed is a pullout couch, with the accommpanying thin mattress.
The room has no closet and is too small for a dresser. REally only enough room for the bed,tv and acoffee table.

Would I reserve the suite again?
Not sure, the terrace almost makes it worth it, but the sleeping arrangements are not terribly comfortable, esp. as it would be you and your husband sharing that pullout.
Otherwise we enjoyed the hotel this time as much as we did the last.

I hope this helps.

Carmen,
if you have two daughters and they are willing to share the "queen" bed, then I would probably go for it and take the suite.
But, my kids are opposite genders and would prefer to sleep in a bathtub ,
rather than with their sib.
and two boys at this age would be too big to share.

Thanks for the first-hand info, NanB. Pull-out sofa bed...ouch!

Maybe we can try for the two queen beds and add a roll-away. I too have boy and girl, and I think they'd sooner sleep in the bathtub -- or maybe on the beautiful terrace -- rather than each other. On our last big adventure, they were 9 and 12, so we got away with a lot more. Thanks again for the info!

Carmen, not a bad idea (a roll away) if the suite with the queens has enough room in the "second" room.
In the suite we had, there would not have room for a rollaway.
and if you do inquire about the suite with the queens, make sure one of them is not a pullout couch.

Glad to be of help.
Traveling with kids is fun!
This was my third trip with them overseas since 2001,and of course, it does have it's ups and downs, but it is still fun.

If you ever want mre info, etc. feel free to contact me
nanb@sover.net

and have fun planning!

Hotel L'Ancora - Positana. Two bedroom, two bath suite, perfect for our family of four. Bright and airy, huge balcony overlooking ocean (same view as the Sirenuse, which is right next door.) My not too easily impressed 15 year son commented "it doesn't get any better than this!".

We aren't into hotel rooms in terms of luxury furnishings and such. We only require a room to be pretty clean, to have a good, functional private bath, and adequate HVAC systems for winter cold and summer heat. BUT one thing I require is some sort of an interesting view.

I wake up a couple of hours before Mrs. Fly does--I'm normally up and about a bit before sunrise. So I like a room that has something of great beauty and/or great interest to look at or observe from the window(s).

The best room we had for this in Italy was in the Continental Hotel on the Grand Canal near the train station. The room itself was rather ordinary--comfortable but not sumptuous, clean but not sterile, and OK room for the price. BUT we had a corner, second-floor room--so one window looked across the canal and the other looked up the canal.

So early in the morning I was able to observe all sorts of activity--taxis, vaporetti, delivery boats (fruits/vegetables, meat, beer, fish, alls sorts of goods for sale, etc.), service boats (laundry, trash, etc.), police boats, etc. etc. etc. Watching everything being hauled in by boat and that carted off by teams of men carrying the stuff on their heads and shoulders or carting with pushcarts or dollies--brought home one reason that things are somewhat more expensive in Venice. And it was just interesting to see the devices and methods used to load and unload all sorts of stuff.

While Mrs. Fly was getting ready to go out in the late afternoon or evening, I got to watch other tourists--mobs of Japanese, American, German, Korean, and Italian tourists doing the gondola flotilla thing down the Grand Canal in the wakes of taxis and vaporetti--young lovers or newlyweds strolling along the strada by the canal--native Venetians heading home with their shopping nets bulging to prepare dinner--or children kicking a soccer ball along--the faces of tired, enthusiastic, amazed, disgruntled, drunken, or variously happy and unhappy tourists who had just arrived in town.

Oh, I did enjoy that room.

And there is something to be said for making love in the evening while looking out the window at the Grand Canal with lights shimmering over the water.

I loved that room.

Message: Carmen
Having read your posts, may I suggest the Hotel Nerva near the Colosseum in Ancient Rome - 15 minute walk from the Pantheon. Small hotel, family run, very friendly. We had a room with a loft (and good air conditioning) that easily accomodated our family of four (again, 15 year old boy and 20 year old daughter)Large, marble bathroom. Easy access to subway. Somewhere in the 220 Euro/night range. Great value for the money. BTW, loft has two twins, so room could accomodate five.

Thanks mlr and NanB for your very helpful posts! I'll be pasting these into my file for sure

This is such a great thread. I may be booking a quad room at Del Senato and am wondering if it will be as nice as the rooms they show on the website. Is that the Sr. Suite perhaps? To those of you have much Del Senato experience, What would be the most comfortable room for two adults two kids? Sr. Suite, Jr. Suite, Quade? One last question, how are the mattresses? I broke my back a couple years ago and the mattress situation can easily ruin a holiday in a hurry.

And MILANO for two nights in September before The Belvedere in Bellagio ??? Any suggestions, nostalgic recollections ?

Calamari,
the rooms shown on the site for the del senato-
one is their normal double, which we stayed in a couple yrs ago.
The hotel has two Senior Suites that they rent out.
We stayed in 602, which is the one with two twin beds and a "queen" The picture they show for their Senior Suite has to be the one we did NOT stay in,room 607, the one with two queen beds, as neither of the rooms we had in our suite looked like that for sure!

Did you read my post about the senior suite we stayed in (this past April ?)it describes the layout in more detail, and what the "queen " bed actually is.

I never saw one of the quad rooms, I think they are on the ground floor.
I can not remember exactly, but I thought from what Roberta (the reservation person)) described to me, the junior suites sleep only 3 persons.

Whether either of the senior suites will work for you depends alot on the age of your children and whether they would share a queen bed.
I know you would not be terribly comfortable on the pull-out "queen" bed.
Gosh, this is farily rambly,
if you want any more/clearer info on the Senior Suite we stayed in, feel free to e-me at
nanb@svcable.net

This is a great thread - I've enjoyed reading all the responses, many of which brought back special memories of Italian nights. Many of the contributors talked especially about the views from their rooms, though the question didn't relate specifically to views. Nevertheless, it's true that a view of the Pantheon, the Mediterranean or Tuscan rooftops really does add a special dimension to a hotel stay in Italy. With that in mind, here are my favorites, in no particular order: 1) Hotel Florence in Bellagio - a large lakeview room (there's that "view" thing again), family-run with a friendly staff and long, languid lunches outdoors beside the lake; 2)Scalinata di Spagna in Rome - at top of Spanish Steps - on our first visit to Rome in '98 it was mesmerizing to step outside to see the domes of the city spread out below, and late at night to walk up the steps to our little pensione after a late supper; 3) the Fontana di Diavolo (sp?) room at the Pensione Accademia in Venice - no view at all, just a fantastic 2-room suite set apart from the main house, around the corner from the Grand Canal, at the closest thing to bargain rate for a grand hotel room that I've ever paid in Europe; 4) this might be cheating since it involves a villa rented thru the Parker Company, not a hotel, but the Villa Incanto in Positano - we got into Positano late on a rainy night - woke up the next morning, threw open the shutters and stared at heaven before our eyes. Had great breakfasts every morning for a week on the terrace overlooking the sea and the rooftops of Positano. (If you're in Positano, drive to Ravello and have lunch on the terrace of the Villa Maria Hotel - same wonderful sensation staring out to the sea 5) another villa in Cortona - set in olive groves 2 km. from town, with a view out our window to a crenellated 15th century defensive tower on a nearby hill.
I'm gratified to see so many references to the Albergo del Senato in Rome, as we just booked there for a week in October - we specificaly reserved a large double with a balcony and Pantheon view. The hotel gets consistently good reviews here, and on Trip Advisor and other similar sites, so we are definitely looking foward to it. We stayed twice before at the Albergo del Sole al Pantheon and the last time, it had become downright shabby so we won't go again. We're also going back to Cortona, this time stayting a couple of nights at the Hotel San Michele (mentioned previously in this post) right in town. Hope to add it to our list of favorites.
Also have to agree with the writer who threw in a reference to the Canal House in Amsterdam - friendly staff, large rooms with tall windows overlooking the canal, sumptious breakfasts - a great experience.

Carmen: Sorry it took me so long to realize you asked me a question....it looks like it may have already been answered by the other posters. Anyway, I have a 14 year old boy and a 11 year old girl. They shared the small room with the pull out sofa. They were SO happy to finally get to take a trip to europe with their parents(the first time we have taken them), that they didn't complain (otherwise they probably WOULD have killed each other)! The "Master bedroom" was the room with the terrace and bathroom which faced on the Pantehon. We had one large bed in it. Sharing the bathroom wasn't a problem. If money was absolutely no object, I would splurge for another room for the kids, but what I paid was my limit. I could've paid for two rooms with lesser views for less than I paid for the sr. suite, but the terrace and view were worth it!

That's okay. Sorry it took me so long to realize you posted a response I'm still going back and forth on this one. Thinking maybe of trying to get one jr suite and one double. I'm a little concerned about recent posts about lack of hot water, clean linens, aloof service. So I'm also considering another hotel that hasn't been mentioned much on this forum. It's called Hotel Piranisi. It's a bit more $$ for standard rooms, but has a great location. I'd love to hear from anyone who has stayed there!

"I'm a little concerned about recent posts about lack of hot water, clean linens, aloof service."

Hhhmmm.....we didn't experience any of the above, actually the contrary. The service was so good the first time my husband & I went that we took the kids just a year later and weren't disappointed. It's been one of the cleaner hotels in europe that we have stayed at, and they were always courteous and helpful (restaurant reservations, daytrips, transfers, taxis, directions, spa appointments.....).

Thanks, SloPugs...I think it's really just been one or two people who had bad experiences, but the more feedback the better.

Favorite hotel room during my trip last October was in Palazzo del Capitano in San Quirico D'Orcia. Stayed in the junior suite called Capricorno....it was an absolutely beautiful, large room....it even smelled wonderful! Least favorite was at Villa Rosa in Positano, only because of the loud noise that we heard at night from the reception area.

We loved the view of Lake Garda from our room at: http://www.grandhotelgardone.it/
Even the bathroom had a lake view and you could see the ferries stopping at the dock nearby. I think that each room in the hotel has a lake view.

Someone named "Panucci" mentioned wanting to see this one started up again. So here it is.

To the top.

We just returned from 10 days in Italy (3 nights in each of Rome, Capri and Venice) which was perfect. I felt that three nights on Capri was more than sufficient and if you haven't been to Venice before, you must visit. I agree with the Del Senato recommendation in Rome (although we stayed at the Intercontinental near the Spanish Steps which was a great hotel). I highly recommend a deluxe room at the Villa Brunella on Capri with a terrace and sea view, inlcluding a visit to Positano. In Venice, the Westin Europa and Regina (with a Grand Canal view) was fantastic!! You will regret not seeing Venice.

Thanks Rex. This is fun. I am planning on staying at Del Senato, but they won't guarantee a Pantheon view. I hope it will still be as nice as everyone says.
Panucci

Resurrecting an interesting thread..

nice one ekscrunchy

bookmarking

My favorites are: Villa Carlotta in Taormina..breathtaking views at breakfast terrace, charming staff and decor
Locanda dell Amorosa in Sinalunga...heaven in Tuscany
Casa Morgano in Capri...classy and clean with one of the best lunches by the pool I've ever had and Cennobio dei Dogi in Camogli..another breathtaking view of the sea in a charming town and lastly Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio...more paradise!

Our tiny room at the brand new Relais Maddalena in Rome just one block north of the Pantheon at the Piazza Maddalena. Our two windows overlooked the back kitchen of the CIro & Ciro tourist trap trattoria and AC unit, however the prison style window trellis made us feel very secure that nobody could come into the room. The AC also worked very well so we could close the window to avoid all the kitchen noise.

Here's my top 5:

(1) The suite I was upgraded to at the Grand Hotel delle Minerve in Rome. The reservation manager happened to be at the desk when I checked in for the third visit in 12 months and they offered me a suite for one night. It was fabulous with a private elevator, a terrace overlooking the Pantheon, frescoes on the ceilings and a huge bathroom with a rain shower in the center and red velvet benches. It had to be at least 1000 sq ft and it was one of the only times where I spent a good bit of time in the room, as it was superb!

(2) Antica Torre Tornabouni on Florence, about 8 years ago. Our large and beautifully appointed room had a stunning view over the rooftops of Florence and a private terrace...bliss!

(3) In 1985, I went with my family to Naxos in Sicily and we stayed at what was then the Holiday Inn. We had a huge room facing the sea with stunning views. It was not as touristy then and the entire experience was wonderful.

4) My room at the Hotel Berchielli in Florence with views over the Arno. We could throw open the shutters and drink in the views, the noise and the energy of one of my favorite cities. The room was nothing special but the view made up for it.

5) The Park Hyatt in Milano which is one of best hotels I have stayed in, anywhere. We were there in 2008 and our room was beautifully appointed and incredibly elegant. Sheets of black marble on the walls and floors, completely quiet, a bathroom that would earn a spot in Architectural Digest - it was a WOW. The entire experience at this hotel was superb!

Albergo del Senato in Roma, directly facing the Pantheon!

Hotel Il Faro, Marina Piccolo, Sorrento. Beautiful room and bathroom with a balcony the same size as the room. A beautiful unobstructed view of the Med. The topper was a concert by Andrea Bocelli, less than 50 yards away from where we sat sipping wine on our lounge chairs.

Il Marzocco in Montepulciano...i believe it is room 10 anyway it the room on the backside of the hotel large room large bathroom and a double french door leading to a balcony with table and chairs with a grape vine trellis overhead and sweeping views of the valley and church just outside the city walls...very "postcardy"
Corys in Cortona....any room facing the sweeping valley below....this hotel is at the "top" of Cortona proper with abbey across the street..charming...and a local bar/pub say 50 yards from the hotel...great gathering spot ...not far from the Villa from Under the Tuscan Sun...