My other problem with the idea of all staying in one room is that you will have nowhere to put your stuff, or to sit, except on your beds. And there won't be any room in the bathroom for 5 people's toiletries either.

It is true a hotel offers a source of information from a concierge or front desk. However, for $250 a night you could rent a two-bedroom apartment with a living room with sofa bed plus a kitchenettes. And two bathrooms. Check out sleepinitaly.com for one place for apartments. There are lots more, too, like VRBO.com (vacation rental by owner). It might be worth it.

"even though we'll be passing through Paris via train, which was my dad's argument in cutting Paris in the first place"
If you will not be visiting Paris, then there is no reason to take a train from London to Italy. A flight would be a much more efficient use of your limited time and will probably be cheaper.
----
good point. I know my dad was excited about taking a train instead of flying more, though.
I'll still bring this up~

Thanks charness, I agree and a will look into the sites your presented.

In all probability, you will take a 4.5-hour train ride from Venice to Rome.

The Rembrandt Hotel in London has a three bedroom suite. They offer a number of other room types as well. Their website description is very accurate in every detail. Excellent restaurant in hotel, provides English styled breakfast, with lunch and dinner served daily. Many bistros within easy walking distance. Located in Knightsbridge across the street from the Victoria and Albert Museum. The Natural History Museum and The Science Museum are a short walk. Harrods is a 10 minute walk, Kensington Underground station is nearby, double decker bus stops in front of hotel. Great place to stay to visit London.

While it's true that the Rembrandt has a 3-bedroom suite that would suit the cost is aobut $1200 per night. The OP is loking to spend a total of $250 for all 5 people.

I hate to say it - but esp for London that is an extremely low budget - it's not much more than 5 people would pay in a hostel. The two people might bid on Priceline and have a chance of getting somehting for $100 (but not something great) but that won't work for 3 people. I have never used but have seen others reco Eurocheapo for people with very a challenging budget. Perhaps that might be an option.

Hotwire is another option for London- I've had success with it in the past, after studying up so I was reasonably certain which hotel I was booking.

If you're open to the idea of apartment, then for options in Rome I would also look at Real Rome. They tend to have more budget oriented properties and the owner/manager is great to deal with.

http://www.realrome.com/

Yeah what I'm finding for price ranges to accommodate 5 adults is $900 to low-$1000 range for three nights stay in London. (through Booking.com)

Ellenem is absolutely right. Fly from London to Venice. In the end, it gives you more sight seeing time and most likely saves money. Your Dad will get to ride the train in Italy.

Boy, your family is so lucky to have you doing all of this!

I would suggest the following. If you decide to make your itinerary:
- London-Paris-Venice-Rome: take the train from London to Paris (your father might get a kick out of the Eurostar in the "chunnel"!); air from Paris to Venice; train from Venice to Rome.
- London-Venice-Rome: definitely fly between London and Italy, then train within Italy.
- London-Paris-Cinque Terre(?)-Rome: this you could do each leg by train, but do compare the costs of train vs. air tickets. You can take an overnight train from Paris to Milan and pay for a sleeping car, thus eliminating one night's hotel stay and add a day of sightseeing - but know that you won't really see any of the landscape, and it's definitely closer to camping than a hotel lodging!

If you do fly within Europe, use one of the discount airlines mentioned above (like Easyjet or Ryanair). Of course, more caveats come with that-! These airlines tend to be really strict on the amount/weight of luggage you can take. If you get to a point where you're looking to lighten your luggage, there is a lot of advice on these forums for that, too.

Thanks ggreen I'll be sure to compare costs of flights over trains.
We're used to strict flight rules regarding weight of luggage and such thanks to small jets we took when we were in Panama. I may be looking into tips to lighten the load when we get closer to packing. I really appreciate all your help guys.

And in Rome for three nights I'm getting between $600-low $1000's as well. -this is fine, price-wise for us. (of course, their are high thousands, but we can't afford a place for $4000+/3 nights stay)

Thank you for providing websites to help narrow down where it is we will and can afford to stay. I've FWD them all to my mom, who will be taking over the lodging information/bookings.

For London trey Londontown.com. The hotel we stay at the Milleniumj Gloucester has a fitness /workout room. They may not have a room for 5 but the couples could split up and they do have triples! Look at the prices for Club room they are larger, include internet, breakfast, canapes and wine or beer, and snaacks during the day.

There are a couple of hotels in Rome that have apartments for families. The Hotel Mozart and the Hotel Modigliani are 2 such places and they may be just around your price range. Make sure that they can hold 5 people though.

I would do an apartment for 5 people in Rome on a budget, as suggested above.

Regarding Rome, Sleep in Italy has a few apartments with 3 (and one with 4) bedrooms for your dates in your price range, with AC.

See for example this one:
https://www.sleepinitaly.com/en/show...d_appartam=630

We stayed at the Domus Julia in Rome, and liked it very much:

www.domusjulia.it

"The following prices may vary depending on the season and events in Rome, and on our promotional offers as well, therefore we show the minimum and maximum levels of which may fluctuate.

Double single use
€ 70,00- € 140,00
Double superiori
€ 78,00- € 180,00
Triple superior
€ 89,00- € 210,00
Suite (2 pax)
€ 89,00- € 200,00
Suite (3 pax) € 95,00- € 220,00
Suite (4 pax) € 105,00- € 240,00
*Above-mentioned prices include: breakfast, VAT, services and air conditioning. Do not include city tax of Euros 2,00 per person/day.

However, please send ALWAYS an e-mail or contact us by fax or telephone to have ours BEST RATES"

I can't imagine you will find lodging for 5 people for $250/night, though.

Have glanced at booking.com and they do indeed show a number of places with one room for 5 people at astroundingly low rates. But I suggest you look carefully at two things - first the location. Many of those listed for London are not only not central - they are at the end of hell and gone. And would require a trip of at least an hour to get from the hotel to the center (and transit costs for 5 people). Also look at tripadvisor.com. While it's certainly possible to get a couple of negative reviews for any hotel - if a hotel gets lots of negative reviews it probably IS a dump.

Also, try londontown.com

Hi Lauren
Let us test our understanding.

Your vacation is:
3 nights London
1 night Paris
1 night Venice
3 nights Rome

Train London to Paris
Train Paris to Venice
Train Venice to Rome

Is this correct?

dugi, the OP is in the process of refining, in discussion with her family. (See posts by the OP upthread, from about May 28, 12 at 7:14pm on.)

Hi Lauren

Have you finalized your flights?
What date are you leaving the USA?
What date are you leaving Rome for the USA?