I am trying to decide between the two for a stay at the end of July for a family of 4.

In Albergo del Senato, I am looking at the mini-apartment at the back of the hotel on 1st floor while, in Albergo Cesari, I am looking at the quad room (standard family room).

The prices are very different. I am wondering if Albergo del Senato is really so good, considering that we will NOT have the view that everybody is talking about and if it justifies the difference in prices (which of course only we know but perhaps someone that has been there can give us some ideas/thoughts).

Has anyone stayed in either recently? Is the standard family room in Albergo Cesari ok enough or is it really tired?

I have read what I could search on this forum and on tripadvisor but would like to know more.

Thanks.

We stayed in Albergo Cesari last October, not in a family room, but in a very large double room, and it was great. The staff are excellent, the hotel is very clean, the breakfast buffet is really good, and that rooftop terrace is wonderful, day or night. We met up with our friends there, who had already been there for several nights, and they loved it too. I can't comment on del Senato as I haven't stayed there.

I have stayed at both. Albergo Cesari was just last fall. The choice between the two is really the choice between different hotel classes. They are both highly recommended in their own classes. However, if you compare them side to side, Albergo del Senato is a higher end boutique hotel, and there are unmistakable differences. It matters to some people but not others. I think this is a matter of taste and resource constraints.

The Cesari does have their charming rooftop garden, which has more charm and character than the rooftop bar at Del Senato, IMO. Not sure how much one can enjoy the charm in July. Depends on the heat and humidity.

Interior decoration is the biggest difference. The Del Senato is newer and reaches for a bit more elegance, but you often get more space at the Cesari, with higher ceilings. It's no accident that the Cesari website does not show one photo of their bathrooms. The Del Senato has always used their marble bathrooms as a selling feature.

The Del Senato apartment is a modern duplex. It doesn't share many of the characteristics of their other rooms. Having a fridge and mini-kitchen is a plus, and could make this room worth the price. However, I can't stay in dark apartments. I can deal with a room that doesn't feature a special view, but I can't live without an abundance of natural light. You may feel differently.

The Cesari is closer to the Trevi Fountain, just off Via Del Corso. Via di Pietra is a very busy pedestrian street, connecting the Trevi to the Pantheon. The Del Senato is also in a very busy tourist area, but the square is open space. The Del Senato is slightly closer to the heart of Old Rome.

We stayed in the mini-apartment at the Albergo del Senato this past June. We only stayed one night, but it was a fantastic "room" for my husband, myself and our two kids. We loved the hotel as far as the staff, the breakfast there was great and the room itself was huge. The bathroom was very large, there was plenty of storage space, which since we were only there one night, we never had to fully use, but it was there - and it never felt dark or like it was without light. There are windows that let in light. No, it doesn't have a spectacular view - but we weren't in the room to need a view for any length of time.

We loved the location, as far as being able to walk outside and be literally right at the Pantheon!

I can't comment on the Cesari though, but I'm sure either would be a good choice based on the comments here!

Thanks for all your detailed information and personal experience. That's exactly what I am looking for. A lot to think about now.