I've stayed at the Santa Chiara and liked it, but it has been a very long time. This time traveling with travel companions who want an attractive and service-oriented hotel. We definitely want the Pantheon area but are trying not to go whole hog such as at the Grand Hotel Minerve. Can someone with more recent experience describe rooms and amenities at the Santa Chiara and the Del Senato?
thanks

elaine- make sure you see if there is anything on TripAdvisor for these two hotels.

I love the Minerve for a true full service hotel. The Del when I last stayed a few years ago has pretty limited amenities, a very small bar, only s breakfast room and standard rooms are small.

We visit the Minerve every trip to Rome, most recently last fall. The rooftop bar is a great place for drinks with a view and the bar just off the lobby is delightful!

The Santa Chiari is a basic hotel IMO but it has been about 10 years since I have been inside.

I have stayed a half dozen times at the Minerve and twice at the Del and found the Minerve to be significantly more service oriented.

The Santa Chiara, while very pleasant, was a little worn around the edges the last time I stayed there, and like you, that was 10 years ago. I'm hoping that someone will say that either the S Chiara or the Del Senato has been recently renewed.

What about the Raphael? I haven't stayed there, but have seen some positives about it on this board (maybe Thin's comments). It's more Navona than Pantheon.

one of my tc's has a strong preference for the Pantheon area. In fact, if the Del Senato is up to her pretty high hotel requirements, arranging for a room with a view of the Pantheon would just delight her. But she's the one who loves the Minerve.

The Del Senato is happy-pretty-tasteful-fabric colorful. The Santa Chiara is off-white-former-monastery-monochromatic. One might think nuns still reside there. These two hotels do not share the same emotional impact. They're worlds apart in terms of decoration style and appeal.

Many of the "view" rooms at Del Senato are small and basic. The bathrooms feature frosted glass. If you leave the view room windows open at night, you WILL need earplugs. Piazza Rotunda is one of Rome's busiest piazzas but I absolutely LOVE this location.

You can see how cramped the rooms are at the Del Senato by checking out their virtual tours. It's a shame their standard rooms with a view are so small. The Senior Suite Seminario is the only room for me. Boy have their rates gone through the roof. I don't think the standard view rooms are worth the price. (Maybe in off-season.)

Yes, we had rooms with views at the Del and there was not even room to open a suitcase. Very cramped.

"The Santa Chiara is off-white-former-monastery-monochromatic. One might think nuns still reside there. "

Wow, terrific description. Really captures the ascetic quality -- attractive to me -- at the Santa Chiara.

We were there about two years ago. It didn't strike me as worn but then we are not fussy about such things as long as it is clean. The staff was helpful, calling taxis, advising us on transit time etc. They did try to pull the dynamic currency scam (they even do this in honest England now, so I suppose it is inescapable).

Although we were on an upper floor, there was considerable street noise at night -- carousing students mostly, and a very early morning trash collection serenade of grinding small trucks and smashing glass.

I meant "austere" not ascetic!

thanks for the warning about the street noise, which given the busy-ness of Piazza Rotunda is not surprising but it's good to have that pointed out--I guess double-glazing isn't part of the package.
If the Santa Chiara was redone in the past couple of years, white or not, that's good to hear. When I stayed there 10 years ago the decor was what you might find if your grandmother hadn't redecorated in 20 years, though I otherwise very much liked the hotel.

The SC is offering me a suite with 3 beds for 400 euro. I haven't yet written to the Minerve directly, but their website rates are
deluxe room 2 beds, 3rd one can be added 420 euro
or junior suite 454 e and for 20 euro more the Minerve is a no-brainer at this point, but I have to verify that price.

400 E a night at the SC? Wow, that's a bit ridiculous for that hotel IMO.

Yes, that is a no-brainer. Our rate was €240, for a triple, but that was off season.

I only wish they *had* been charging 400, since I would like to stay at the Minerve someday.

The Santa Chiara is a well-run albergo with a long and fascinating history. They are family owned and operated, which means something in Italy, and they have a wonderful reputation. Even though it's not my style, I wouldn't hesitate recommending the place.

The Grand Hotel de la Minerve is nicely grand. Their roof garden is fabulous. Some of their rooms are a real treat. If you can afford to stay there versus any deal from some other less grand place, I would jump.

We're going with the Minerve, thanks all.

Have a fabulous visit and don't miss the rooftop bar and the piano player who plays in the evenings. We don't stay at the Minerve since their prices have gone up so much but we always spend an early evening or two there when in Rome.