I just got a quote for a family of 4 for the Santa Chiara in Rome for January 6,2004 for 280 Euros a night. Doesn't that seem extremely high considering that that time of the year is usually low season? Now with the Euro going high against the dollar....any other suggestions either for Rome(we can do two rooms or a quad-have been on different sites but wanted someone personal recommendation) or another getaway for January? Thanks!

try the hotel des srtistes. it isin't too fancy but in a great location. it has a fabulous rooftop garden. they have a web site and are great to deal with. they will for sure be less expensive. i would stay there again.

HI
The Santa Chiara is a great little hotel. It is more than some places and less than others. It all depends on what you expect and want.

My family of 4 stayed at the Santa Chiara last February. They quoted me 270 euros a night. I wrote back and asked if they could help out and lower the rate; they did - 240 a night! We took it and I do not regret it. The hotel is lovely and well situated. Also, our quad family room more like 2 bedrooms sharing a bathroom. We had a wall and door between the large room with the double bed and the smaller room with 2 twin beds. I spent a lot of time researching hotels and getting quotes and I think that the Santa Chiara was a great deal for us. Susan

My family of four stayed at the Hotel Picasso in July of 2002 for 150 euro a night, breakfast (well, rolls and coffee) included. Nothing fancy but clean and safe. About 10 minute walk from Trevi Fountain, from the Coloseum, and from the train station.

We're only two but we also stayed at the Santa Chiara.

I would definitely recommend it.

Excellent hotel in a great location. It's directly behind the Pantheon. Between Piaza Navona and the Fountain of Trevi. 10-15 minute walk to the Spanish Steps and 15-20 minutes to the Capitoline Hill.

Anyone else have any thoughts? Every hotel for this next week(which I thought was considered their low season) is roughly between 250 and 300 euros for a 3 star hotel.I did write the Santa Chiara back but never heard from them. Does anyone know anything about the Hotel Canada and that area? Thanks!

Hi

We stayed at the Hotel Olympic on Via Propozio(?) near the Vatican in a family suite. The main bedroom had a king bed, the second bedroom had twins and there was one bath. The hotel was very nice and was one of the nicest we had in Italy. We found that being close to the Batican was a help and then we were also able to walk to the river and into the city. I believe the price would have been less than you're quoting.

After reading a Dec. 2nd, 2003 comment on tripadvisor.com, you'd be wise to choose another place to stay. Maybe the hotel's not answering your request for a lower rate is a sign that you shouldn't stay there. The person who wrote the comment on tripadvisor.com says the hotel staff ripped him off as well as an American couple all the while speaking in Italian about it not realizing the guest understood what they were saying about him and the couple.

Thanks for the tip. Its been 30 years since I was in Rome and I am sooooooo confused on locations. May I ask anyone-would you recommend staying at a hotel that is within walking distance of the metro if you have "bad knees" for long distance walking? If so-then what would be in a great area but still be able to be doable for using public transportation? Thanks! I have read so many Fodors past replies but as always it seems that there are two groups-the "only places" that you can stay in Rome and those that Rick Steeves recommends.As I am sitting here with my stack of Rome tourist books I am way too overwhelmed to decide!!!!

We have stayed at this modest hotel many times, especially when on a budget. They have a couple of quad rooms which I recall have a king bed and two twins. It is small, family run, about 2 blocks behind the Colosium, 4 blocks from the metro stop. If you were not interested in eating at the many great restaurants in Rome they have a good half board price with a very nice dinner.

Hi dutyfree
My friends have stayed at the Canada, It's a Best Western near The Roma Termini. They said it was fine. We stayed at the Mondial also a BW 4*. On Via Torino right off Via Nazionale also a good hotel. Hope this helps.

Susanna-whats the name of the hotel? Lewis-thank you for your help on the Best Westerns.Because our family has been struggling with the flu the past week I may go that route in case we have to cancel or change days? Did you feel that the Mondial was too far away from everything ? Thanks for your help!

We stayed at a modest but charming budget hotel located in a friendly, safe neighborhood near the Vatican. From the train station it was a short metro ride, then an easy 2 block walk. They had bicycles that we could use, a good staff, and it was just a metro ride to "everything".

www.hotelspringhouse.com

Hi dutyfree
The Mondial is around the corner from Piazza Dell Repubblica where there is a Metro station. And just off Via Natzionale so you are pretty close to everything in that respect. You really can't beat the price though!

The name would be helpful...I forgot to paste in the link also...Hotel Lancelot
http://www.lancelotrome.it/ I checked there web page and their prices are stll showing Lira, but last March it was about 145E for a double, not sure on the price for a quad...just write them an email, their staff speaks english. Have a great time.

Okay-between the Hotel Genio,Hotel Savoy,the Santa Chiara and the Mondiale where would you chose?

I would pick the Santa Chiara of those four because I know it, I was very happy there (and was on my own), the staff was friendly and helpful, the breakfast was excellent, the room was small but comfortable, pleasant and clean, and the location couldn't be better, as long as you ask for a quiet room facing the rear.

My coworker stayed at the Genio earlier this year. She didn't care for it nor hated it but she was not happy that the a/c unit was broken. It was the beginning of the heatwave and they were tired when they arrived but had to go down and explain the situation to the front desk. They ended up moving to another room. Again check the comments on tripadvisor.com. The Genio has some mixed reviews.

We stayed at the Hotel Alimandi last summer. I think it was 180 Euros for a family of 4. We had reserved a quad room but they gave us 2 double rooms instead which was fine with us. They are located half a block from the Vatican Museum and 2 or 3 blocks from a Metro station. The rooms were clean, the neighborhood good and the rooftop breakfast was wonderful. I would return.