Awe inspiring on the Amalfi Coast....an Albergo "Clash of the Titans"
Oct 8th, 2015, 04:37 PM
#141
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Sorry... Have tried to post the last edition and there is still an issue with the site!
So frustrating, can't type it in and can't paste into Fodors. Jeez, will they ever fix this?
So frustrating, can't type it in and can't paste into Fodors. Jeez, will they ever fix this?
Oct 8th, 2015, 07:54 PM
#142
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Hello! Looking forward to your latest post. I am up late deciding on which tour guide company to choose in Rome for small group walking tours. Thinking of Through Eternity (sounds like a funeral home) for forum, vatican and maybe borgesse (?sic) If anyone has any recommendations, I'd love to hear them. Of course I have been on trip advisor and this site to see the reviews.
Thanks for the additional advice on the rooftop bars. If you know of special places to eat in Rome and Amalfi Coast, please share!
If anyone is going to be traveling to RI, Boston, CT or NYC feel free to ask me some questions. I live in this geography and travel and eat in all areas frequently and can provide suggestions or help you may be looking for.
Kind Regards, jen
Thanks for the additional advice on the rooftop bars. If you know of special places to eat in Rome and Amalfi Coast, please share!
If anyone is going to be traveling to RI, Boston, CT or NYC feel free to ask me some questions. I live in this geography and travel and eat in all areas frequently and can provide suggestions or help you may be looking for.
Kind Regards, jen
Oct 9th, 2015, 07:19 AM
#146
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Jen, you will get more answers to your questions about tours and restaurants if you post your own threads. But I will say we also love Armando del Pantheon.
And I can recommend 3 Millenia for tours.
And I can recommend 3 Millenia for tours.
Oct 10th, 2015, 06:23 AM
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Trying again to add the comparison....
We ranked the Titans for categories that we think are important:
Location- Le Sirenuse
Spa- Monastero Santa Rosa
Food- Le Sirenuse
Service- Le Sirenuse
Views-tie, could not declare a winner as both have spectacular views but very different
Staff- Le Sirenuse
Room- Le Sirenuse
Sleep quality- Monastero Santa Rosa
Grounds- Monastero Santa Rosa
Overall impression- Le Sirenuse
We would go back to both but more likely to go back to Le Sirenuse first.
It's like this...Le Sirenuse is George Clooney, stylish, witty, glamorous, old Hollwood...never out if style. Monastero Santa Rosa is maybe Zac Effron.....gorgeous, younger, less polished and remains to be seen if you could spend more than a few days with him without becoming a bit bored.
Let's see if this will post and then more later!
We ranked the Titans for categories that we think are important:
Location- Le Sirenuse
Spa- Monastero Santa Rosa
Food- Le Sirenuse
Service- Le Sirenuse
Views-tie, could not declare a winner as both have spectacular views but very different
Staff- Le Sirenuse
Room- Le Sirenuse
Sleep quality- Monastero Santa Rosa
Grounds- Monastero Santa Rosa
Overall impression- Le Sirenuse
We would go back to both but more likely to go back to Le Sirenuse first.
It's like this...Le Sirenuse is George Clooney, stylish, witty, glamorous, old Hollwood...never out if style. Monastero Santa Rosa is maybe Zac Effron.....gorgeous, younger, less polished and remains to be seen if you could spend more than a few days with him without becoming a bit bored.
Let's see if this will post and then more later!
Oct 10th, 2015, 11:02 AM
#150
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Jen...also for Rome dining we loved Glass. I can also say that the view from La Pergola (at the Cavalieri) is wonderful. The dome at St Peter's basilica looks close enough to touch. We also loved La Gensola in Trastavere.
Oct 10th, 2015, 02:01 PM
#151
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Denise: Great report!! I love reminiscing as I read about your stay at the Albergo del Senato. How we loved that rooftop bar! (and seeing that there are weeds on the top of the Parthenon!!)
Your writing is clear and fun, plus full of information.
Waiting for the finale.
Your writing is clear and fun, plus full of information.
Waiting for the finale.
Oct 11th, 2015, 04:39 AM
#152
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For both of us we really loved the highly experienced and professional staff and service at Le Sirenuse. They just did a superb job of taking care of everything.
Here's an example...we called the front desk at both hotels for a ice bucket to chill wine.
LS: certainly. And it was there literally in less than 5 minutes.
MSR: you have to call the bar for that (no offer to transfer me) but if they can't do it, then call me back and I will get it for you.
Huh?
Another thing we really liked at Le Sirenuse, was when we were done with lunch, the bar or at the pool, we didn't have to wait to sign a check. Now, I know for some, they may not like this but our bill was correct at the end of the trip. No overcharges, no unexplained charges. It may not be for everyone but we liked just saying good bye and leaving.
We liked that there is more to do immediately around the hotel at Le Sirenuse. But, if you truly want to drop off the face of the earth for a few days to recharge, you can do it at MSR and in a beautiful setting.
I did like the bathroom at MSR...love the heated floors. They also had a bit more technology built into the room (nice touches like those floor lights for trips to the bathroom during the night). But, the Eau d'Italie products at Le Sirenuse will always remind me of the trip and I loved them. Perfect scent!
I also failed to mention the wonderful Sicilian pistachio gelato at Le Sirenuse. Holy cow....too good to be true. Incredible depth of flavor. At LS, we really appreciated the champagne selection and that breakfast buffet is to die for. We loved starting off every day like that!
Interestingly, LS knows MSR is competition. There was a comment made to use that we might not never come back to LS once we went to MSR. That was a surprising admission! The desk clerk at LS looked a bit sad when we told him that is where we were headed and he told us to call if we didn't love it and they would find a room for us and welcome us back.
MSR has spectacular views and the property is lush and flat out gorgeous. Again, it is relaxation at its finest . The staff there will improve over time, I think, as they become more experienced.
We are glad we visited both and glad we visited them in the order we did. Highly recommend both properties and feel incredibly fortunate to have stayed at both.
I look forward also to retuning to Albergo del Senato. Loved our room and the Pantheon view. The staff there is also excellent and we will choose them again when visiting Rome!
Here's an example...we called the front desk at both hotels for a ice bucket to chill wine.
LS: certainly. And it was there literally in less than 5 minutes.
MSR: you have to call the bar for that (no offer to transfer me) but if they can't do it, then call me back and I will get it for you.
Huh?
Another thing we really liked at Le Sirenuse, was when we were done with lunch, the bar or at the pool, we didn't have to wait to sign a check. Now, I know for some, they may not like this but our bill was correct at the end of the trip. No overcharges, no unexplained charges. It may not be for everyone but we liked just saying good bye and leaving.
We liked that there is more to do immediately around the hotel at Le Sirenuse. But, if you truly want to drop off the face of the earth for a few days to recharge, you can do it at MSR and in a beautiful setting.
I did like the bathroom at MSR...love the heated floors. They also had a bit more technology built into the room (nice touches like those floor lights for trips to the bathroom during the night). But, the Eau d'Italie products at Le Sirenuse will always remind me of the trip and I loved them. Perfect scent!
I also failed to mention the wonderful Sicilian pistachio gelato at Le Sirenuse. Holy cow....too good to be true. Incredible depth of flavor. At LS, we really appreciated the champagne selection and that breakfast buffet is to die for. We loved starting off every day like that!
Interestingly, LS knows MSR is competition. There was a comment made to use that we might not never come back to LS once we went to MSR. That was a surprising admission! The desk clerk at LS looked a bit sad when we told him that is where we were headed and he told us to call if we didn't love it and they would find a room for us and welcome us back.
MSR has spectacular views and the property is lush and flat out gorgeous. Again, it is relaxation at its finest . The staff there will improve over time, I think, as they become more experienced.
We are glad we visited both and glad we visited them in the order we did. Highly recommend both properties and feel incredibly fortunate to have stayed at both.
I look forward also to retuning to Albergo del Senato. Loved our room and the Pantheon view. The staff there is also excellent and we will choose them again when visiting Rome!
Oct 11th, 2015, 07:34 PM
#153
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What a fabulous trip! I've been waiting for your report for months but decided to wait until it was here in it's entirety 
Handmade shoes sounds like a dream. I'd seen LS but I did not know about Monastero Santa Rosa. Oh I will have to go back AC one day....
Next for me is Berlin, London and Paris in December!
Handmade shoes sounds like a dream. I'd seen LS but I did not know about Monastero Santa Rosa. Oh I will have to go back AC one day.... Next for me is Berlin, London and Paris in December!
Oct 11th, 2015, 10:19 PM
#154
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Your experience at Terminal 5 - FCO - is not indicative of travel at the whole airport. If you're going to the USA or Israel, you have extra security checks. Everyone else doesn't.
It's nice that you had a good time but realistically only about one percent of people can afford your hotels and restaurants. It seems the most enjoyment you had for free were the incredible ones like the Pantheon when no one is around. Money just can't buy that.
It's nice that you had a good time but realistically only about one percent of people can afford your hotels and restaurants. It seems the most enjoyment you had for free were the incredible ones like the Pantheon when no one is around. Money just can't buy that.
Oct 12th, 2015, 03:19 AM
#155
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Mr. Cod, why do you continue to begrudge these nice people an enjoyable time in hotels and restaurants which they have chosen, for which they have no doubt worked hard and saved their money, and with which they are celebrating a big birthday?
If we want to play numbers games, we would have to face the fact that the vast majority of the earth's population could never afford to fly to Rome to see the Pantheon...nor do they have the leisure time to stroll around internet travel forums like Fodor's.
If we want to play numbers games, we would have to face the fact that the vast majority of the earth's population could never afford to fly to Rome to see the Pantheon...nor do they have the leisure time to stroll around internet travel forums like Fodor's.
Oct 12th, 2015, 02:57 PM
#156
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Denise:
This has been so much fun.
I strongly suspect that you are a workaholic so there is nothing like a big time splash out on "festive" occasions.
I did one for my 50th as well. A few days at the both the Ritz in Paris and the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo. ( Still have the bathrobe from the Hotel de Paris that mysteriously ended up in my bag.) Money well spent as I will never forget that trip.
This has been so much fun.
I strongly suspect that you are a workaholic so there is nothing like a big time splash out on "festive" occasions.
I did one for my 50th as well. A few days at the both the Ritz in Paris and the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo. ( Still have the bathrobe from the Hotel de Paris that mysteriously ended up in my bag.) Money well spent as I will never forget that trip.
Oct 12th, 2015, 03:02 PM
#157
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Great report D! I just returned from 3.5 days at Il San Pietro and am missing it already. It was a special splurge and next year it will be back to my tiny apartment rental in Pos!
Thank you so much for your excellent reporting!
Thank you so much for your excellent reporting!
Oct 12th, 2015, 04:44 PM
#158
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Again, my thanks everyone....I have been so appreciative of your comments and especially the advice and suggestions I got in planning my "50 and Fabulous" trip (which incidentally is official tomorrow).
Our trip to the AC was beyond wonderful. Lots of truly great moments, sights, sounds, tastes, people & kittens. I can honestly say that if I am never fortunate enough to go anywhere (other than exciting places for work, like Newark, where I will be next week)....I will be happy re-living this trip again and again. That's the beauty of the trip report. It has always been great fun for me to review them, in the years after the trip, and it takes me right back.
Weekender, I wish that your assessment was not true but I am a workaholic. I am still loving my bath products from Le Sirenuse although I didn't have the room for robe (heck, I bought a suitcase to get all my stuff home). Your 50th trip sounds like a memorable one.
ekc - Il San Pietro also looked amazing. It's nice to occasionally go all out even if you can't do it every trip!
Ozgirl---sounds great but bundle up!! Would love to be heading back to Paris!
Grazie mille!
Our trip to the AC was beyond wonderful. Lots of truly great moments, sights, sounds, tastes, people & kittens. I can honestly say that if I am never fortunate enough to go anywhere (other than exciting places for work, like Newark, where I will be next week)....I will be happy re-living this trip again and again. That's the beauty of the trip report. It has always been great fun for me to review them, in the years after the trip, and it takes me right back.
Weekender, I wish that your assessment was not true but I am a workaholic. I am still loving my bath products from Le Sirenuse although I didn't have the room for robe (heck, I bought a suitcase to get all my stuff home). Your 50th trip sounds like a memorable one.
ekc - Il San Pietro also looked amazing. It's nice to occasionally go all out even if you can't do it every trip!
Ozgirl---sounds great but bundle up!! Would love to be heading back to Paris!
Grazie mille!
Oct 12th, 2015, 04:47 PM
#159
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Loved reading about your trip, Denise! I generally travel to Europe with a gaggle of college students (as part of a class) and can only dream about luxury hotels and fine dining. Neither fits their budgets, I'm afraid, even though we always have fun. Still, someday, maybe I will leave them at home and get to enjoy a trip like yours. Until then, I can enjoy traveling with you vicariously! Delighted that you had a spectacular birthday!
Oct 12th, 2015, 04:57 PM
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EYWandBTV
Excuse me but I thought this was an open forum - not a place for groupthink and backslappers.
I believe the OP's hotel choices are lovely for sure but are only available to those who either save for years or who are wealthy. As for your 'numbers game' - I believe you are wrong, judging by the thousands and thousands I see in my work/travels. Travel is cheaper than ever and with the USD in pretty good shape, I am sure those travelling using this currency are not all Wall Street bankers. they just can't stay at Il San Pietro whose 'cheap room' starts at 500 euro per night.
Excuse me but I thought this was an open forum - not a place for groupthink and backslappers.
I believe the OP's hotel choices are lovely for sure but are only available to those who either save for years or who are wealthy. As for your 'numbers game' - I believe you are wrong, judging by the thousands and thousands I see in my work/travels. Travel is cheaper than ever and with the USD in pretty good shape, I am sure those travelling using this currency are not all Wall Street bankers. they just can't stay at Il San Pietro whose 'cheap room' starts at 500 euro per night.
