I will be going to Rome next July and heard that the sights are pretty spread out. Does anyone know of any clean, inexpensive hotels/pensions with private bathroom that is centrally located to all the major sights? Also, does anyone know whether the museums and churchs as well as other sights are open on Mondays? What are the hours of operations to these sights?

I don't think Rome attractions are very spread out at all. You will have to walk but every 15 minutes or less you will hit another major attraction. The Hotel Elite on Via Francesco Crispi is not expensive compared to other Rome Hotels but it's in a prime location - near Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Barberini. However it's no beauty of a hotel though (2 stars I think) - so it depends on what's really important to you. Feel free to write me directly if you want.

I found Rome to be relatively convenient and easy to get around- using bus, train, or foot power. We Primarily walked everywhere so it could not have been too spread out. We thoroughly enjoyed La Residenza in the Via Veneto area- charming, helpful staff, large comfortable accommocations (with a good bed, AC, and private bath), and an exceptional breakfast- all at a reasonable price.

We just got back from Italy and Rome was the past place we visited. We stayed in a traditional, but upscale holiday Inn called the Hotel Minerva (owned by holiday Inn). It is easy to get around in Rome. Our hotel costs approx $200, cheap by Italian standards.

We stayed at the Pension Erdareli, Via Due Macelli 28 in 1972 and our daughter stayed there 2 years ago. It is a plain, but nicely located pension neat the Spanish Steps. They paid about $100 for a room with private bath. Included continental breakfast.

Has anyone stayed at the Gregoriana on Via Gregoriana within the past five or six years? We had stayed there several years running. The last stay was when I thought the hotel was in sorry, seedy shape. It is in a lovely location, has wonderful structure, so I'd love to know whether it has been refreshed.

Dear Peggy: Just returned from a month in Italy finishing with 5 nights in Rome. Our hotel was great - Hotel Arenula, Via S. Maria De'Calderari 47 (1/2 block off Via Arenula) tel. 6-687-9454 fax 6-689-6188. They speak English and were very helpful. The hotel is on a quiet side street with air conditioning and double glazed windows-a must in the summer as Rome is very noisy. We took some buses (get a transit guide at the tourist office before leaving plane or train station) but mostly walked on the narrow cobblestone side streets to avoid the very busy very noisy main streets which were often very difficult to cross. It is very clean and we paid $180,000 lira for a double with bath and a good breakfast buffet (around $100). Just 1 block to the river (direct bus route to the Vatican) across from the Trastevere area. Really helpful to get a Fodor's citypack guide to Rome. The map and itineraries were indispensible and you'll enjoy it so much more is you take time to study the map and read about the sites ahead of time. Ciao

I agree with Hamlet regarding the Hotel Elite. We stayed there a few years ago and the location is the best in Rome. The owner was a grouchy sort of a guy until you checked in. Then he mellowed!! THATS ITALIAN- Our room was very good. The rates were competitive. Another Hotel that has been highly touted, thou I haven't been there is the Margutta--it gets rave reviews and is in the same general area and about the same price. Book well in advance if you what to stay there.