I'm deciding between Rome hotels. It's down to Albergo Della Sole Biscione which I'm hearing great reviews about location and price. It's near the Navona/Trevia area AND Hotel Alimandi that is near the Vatican. Alimandi is slightly more expensive but includes breakfast AND complimentary shuttle service from Fiumicino. Wo! Della Sole offers neither. Hotel Italia is so cheap (85 Euros)that can I trust it? It is near the Navona/Trevi area. Is staying near the Vatican a good idea too or do I totally want to be in the Navona area?
Services included in price OVER location??? Help!

Cararita, to some there may be a Navona/Trevi area, but not to me. One or the other; they really aren't in the same neighborhood.

And for the Vatican area, I would need this clarification: is it near St Peter's or is it near the Vatican museums? For me, the Vatican museums location is jut too far away from where I would like to be. Many people do like that, though. I find the area to be less attractive and too far from the sights and action of the rest of tourist Rome.

And if something sounds to cheap to be believed in Rome, don't believe it. It is an expensive city.

Breakfast and free shuttle are very tempting, but I still wouldn't want to stay near the Vatican museums. Just my opinion, though.

DON'T stay near the Vatican as the essence of Rome is on the other side of the Tiber.The reason that alot of the Vatican hotels offer the "free" shuttle service is that most people who have never been to Rome think that its a deal and then are really disappointed upon seeing the location.Pull up the last thousand posts on various hotels in Rome and you will see the areas and hotels that many people on this forum have enjoyed.Just remember you are not going to be in your hotel that long and yes, you can find decent hotels in Rome for the 85 euros price WITH breakfast.

Is this the Hotel Italia on Via Nazionale? My sister-in-law stayed at Hotel Italia last year and liked it enough to stay again this year. I don't know if it was "the devil you know," but it must have been at least half decent. One way or another, I would prefer that location (which is closer to Trevi than Navona) to the Vatican area.

I don't know anything about the Albergo Della Sole Biscione, but that's a great location just off Campo de' Fiori, not far from Piazza Navona (not as close to the Trevi Fountain). Definitely far better than near the Vatican and worth paying for your own shuttle.

Thank you so much for your help! Your advice is what I was feeling in my gut...but who can't be tempted by complmentary shuttle service and food, you know? : )

In 99 I stayed near the Vatican. Although the apt. was quite nice, I felt a bit removed fron the central area. In 03 I stayed near the Trevi and loved it, yet it was a bit of a walk to Piazza Navona area. This year I will be staying in the Campo di Fiore area. I thought it would be fun to be "in the thick of things".
Best of luck and I hope you have a great trip,

I just came back from Rome where we rented an apt right on the Campo di Fiore which is not far from Piazza Navona. It was a great location, we walked everywhere from there. As others have mentioned, the Vatican is too far away.

Hi

My wife and I went to Rome last year and we stayed near Termini. I have posted a trip report with pictures and links on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy.htm and maybe you can find some useful info there. I think that I would rather stay near Navona or Trevi compared to the Vatican area. But inner Rome is not that big so it is pretty easy to get around. Good luck on the choice and have a great trip

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

bookmarking...

I stayed at the Alimandi last September and absolutely loved it. It's a block from the entrance to the Vatican Museum but within easy walking distance to the entrance to St Pete's. Buses and the subway are nearby that will take you anywhere you want to go. Breakfast was a full English style breakfast -- sausages, eggs, etc. The shuttle to the airport is free but I felt such a relief not having to take the train or a taxi that I gave the driver a very generous tip. I plan to stay at the Alimandi again on my next trip to Rome. (Upon my arrival in Rome, I stayed at a hotel a few blocks south of Termini which was extremely small, poor breakfast choices, a shower so small that I couldn't bend over to wash my feet and cost more than the Alimandi.)

We just got back from our honeymoon in Italy and we also stayed at Alimandi (3 star) which we thought was pretty good. Sure, it's a little out of the way from the center of Rome, but we walked and took the bus to get to some of the other main sites. Having the airport pick up was a plus and the breakfasts were great....prosciutto, fantastic potatoes, fresh croissants, fruit, cappuchino.....we miss it all!

The other plus was that the lines for the Vatican museum were so long, especially in the morning. So given that we were just down the steps from the museum entrance, we were able to take a peek to see when the lines weren't as bad.

And if you're looking for a restaurant nearby, definitely go to the family run osteria called Hosteria Bastioni....great fettucine!!!!!!

Have a great time!