My inlaws are taking a tour of Italy and want to stay a few days in Rome beforehand. The dates are October 24-29 and they would like something centrally located. Unfortunately they only want to spend about 120.00/ night (dollars not euros is what MIL said, is that even doable?). I'd like to recommend the nicest places you can get for that money. Anyone have any suggestions? Make me the best daugther in law in the world!

Hi

I'm also going to ROme in October and it has been a bit tricky finding a hotel...partially because we are a big group and partially because October seems to be high season in Rome. Have you looked at hotel places like www.venere.com ?

My wife and I went to Rome last year by the way. I have posted a trip report with pictures on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy.htm . Maybe you can find some useful info there.

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com

I'll put in a plug for Gea di Vulcano:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34798561

Gea di Vulcano is wonderful - we stayed there twice but I doubt you will be successful at this late stage.

Did you have a look at eurocheapo.com?

I also know that the Hotel Julia is higly recommended here - and it is very affordable - I think it will fall within your price range.

Hi

Try also - http://www.bbbluerose.com/

Hi Monica,
try venere.com This site breaks down Rome by area. They offer a lot of rooms under 150 euros. They also give pictures and reviews. I used this site to find a room for myself for my upcoming trip to Venice. I am very happy with the service they have offered.

Donna

Check Venere for Gea di Vulcano. You never know. I stayed there for Easter Friday when practically everything was booked (even this hotel was booked when I called them, but Venere showed availability).

I've been researching inexpensive hotels in Rome and crossmatching reviews on Tripadvisor and Venere. For $90 dollars, it's going to be
a. a no frills B&B
b. a dump
It's quite expensive, much fewer decent options than in Paris.

...and tell them to bring earplugs.

Monica..you might be doing them, and yourself, a much bigger favor if you tell them that they need to think about increasing the hotel budget.

For that budget, you have quite a challenge. We did like the Domus Julia, but it was 170EUR for a twin with a private bath and breakfast buffet, last May.

Would they consider a convent? If so, try SantaSusannah.com (I think that's it). They are simple, clean, and in various locations throughout Rome and Italy. But they would have a curfew in all of them.

The Hotel Sonya might squeeze in under your inlaws limit if they insist on the simplest room and haggle a deal for multiple nights. We can personally recommend it, having stayed there a number of times. It is on the "good" side of Termini , directly across from the Opera House,and clean, tidy, safe and attractive.

I think sometimes it's the luck of the draw. I only paid 70 euros for my single at Gea. And it was perfectly fine. And it was for Easter Friday, when it was quite difficult to book anything.

Of course in my opinion nothing can beat the 50 euros Tiquetonne in Paris.

And I just paid $125 + taxes for a Priceline hotel in Chicago for this Saturday. I found it ironic that that's usually more than I normally pay for hotels in Europe. Even in Venice I think my single was 70 euros (or 80 -- but not more). Then of course the Chicago hotel is in a different class and I got a double Still with taxes it's more than $150.

So I wouldn't give up on a budget for about 90 euros or so.

Personally I'd go to Venere, plug in the dates, sort by price and crosscheck the hotel on Tripadvisor.

If the reviews seem ok and the price is right think about booking. That was how I found Gea in the first place.

Thanks all for your help. I suspect it's father in law that set the budget. He's a product of the depression and even though they have sufficient funds he's always reluctant to pay more than he thinks is right. Problem is, of course, that his idea of "right" is a bit arbitrary. Mother in law will work on him, I'm sure. I'll get them some good ideas on Venere.com. And Gea di Vulcano is booked for those dates.

I'm sorry to hear about Gea. The sweater they mailed back to me (free of charge! But I sent them a 10 euro bill) was worth more than the room I paid for.

Good luck with the room.