Has anyone stayed at the Minerva in Rome? How is the area? Are there specific views to request? Any info regarding the ammenities, rooms, service, restaurants, etc. would be most appreciated. Thanks.

I haven't stayed there, but I remember sitting on the steps noting that it looked like a lovely hotel, and in a wonderful location (which I don't recall right now - maybe near Trajun's Column?). It would be a good choice, I'm sure.

Frank, <BR> <BR>We rented an apartment last September around the corner from the hotel. I can't tell you what the hotel is like, but I can tell you that the area is great, and the location is fantastic! It is just 1 block from the Pantheon, and is in the same piazza as the church of Sta. Maria sopra Minerva (which is itself a gem). The piazza has the famous obelisk-on-the-back-of-the-elephant statue. There are lots of restaurants in the area, and you can easily walk to Pza. Navona and Campo dei Fiori. We even walked back from the Vatican, although it's a bit of a hoof. We took a cab over to the colosseum/forum area. <BR> <BR>The hotel is rated 5 stars, and is avaiable on the Holiday Inn web site (www.basshotels.com/crowneplaza?_franchisee=ROMMR).

I too stayed in the neighborhood but not at the Minerva last year. Surely, there is no better location in all Rome. I would ask for a view of the Pantheon, perhaps. Right next to the Pantheon (which is a stone's throw away) is a taxi stand, where we never failed to find one when we were too tired to walk. It looks like a very nice hotel, too.

Paul--Let's hear more about the apartment you rented--agency, rates, pluses and minuses. Would really appreciate more information. Thanks.

Sure! We rented from an agency called "Doorways", in the suburbs of Philadelphia. I found them on the Internet at "http://www.villavacations.com/". They list all of their apartments (with photos) on their pages. <BR> <BR>We selected the apartment called "Lenti". It was literally around the corner from Pza. Minerva in Pza. di Pigna. The apartment was just large enough for two people, but was very, very clean and quite comfortable. In addition, it had air conditioning! We needed 4 keys to get through all the locked doors, but once inside felt quite safe. There was a kitchen, with a 2 burner range, a large fridge & a small clothes washer. The living room had a couch & two chairs, the bedroom a large (matrimoniale/queen) bed & nightstands. The bathroom was a bit tight, but had a good shower. There was a small balcony off of the bathroon, for hanging clothes only, which faced into the inner courtyard. <BR> <BR>There are two bars in Pza. di Pigna, so morning coffee is no problem. There's also a restaurant, which was OK, not great. Plus, there's a small grocery store, where you can pick up the basics. We found a larger grocery store on the way home from the Trevi fountain (almost right next to it). There's a nice restaurant in Pza. Santa Chiara, less than a 5 minute walk away (just past the Hotel Sta. Chiara). <BR> <BR>There are two taxi stands nearby - one by the Pantheon (which we found did not always have taxis), and one in Pza. Largo Argentina (more reliable). Both are within 1-2 blocks. If you're a reader, a branch of the Feltrinelli <BR>book shop is in Pza. Largo Argentina, right on Vittorio Emanuelle. <BR> <BR>In addition, this is the neighborhood where the priests, bishops & cardinals all shop for their liturgical garb, so if you're looking for red cardinal's socks, you're in luck. I read that one of the stores is the one which supplies the pope. <BR> <BR>We paid $156/night, as we didn't stay a full week, only 4 nights. We had a great time here, and I'd heartily recommend it to anyone. The location couldn't be better! Doorways was pretty easy to deal with. I e-mailed and phoned them. The only caveat is that there is no room for more than two people - it's not a big place at all, but it's enough for a couple.

We stayed at the Santa Chiara just donw the street in 1998 and used the Crown Plaza as our rooftop cocktail place in the evening. It's lovely up there and the view is great. As others have said, the location is fabulous. We did have trouble, however, on least one occasion getting a cab at the Pantheon cab stand. We also walked to the Vatican, long but doable, and to the Forum/Colosseum. There's a good restaurant recommended in Fred Plotkin's Italy for the Gourment Traveler near the Pantheon--begins with an A, like Alberto but I can't remember the exact name--that was quite good. Enjoy!

I stayed at the Minerva last summer for a week and couldn't have been happier.The staff is very helpful. The rooms are large for an European hotel. I would not hesitate to stay there again.

We stayed at the Minerva in October 1999 and it was absolutely fabulous! The location was probably the best of any hotel in the city. We walked in every direction to every site (including the forum/colliseum) and it was perfect. The rooms vary in size so ask for a larger room if possible. All are first class with great marble bathrooms. The lobby is spectacular. The proximity to the Pantheon was wonderful. There are tons of restaurants in the piazza nearby, in Piazza Navona a few blocks away, and alittle further. If your budget can handle it, I highly recommend Il Covivio Restaurant. A bit pricey but worth it. Lovely, romantic, delicious food, posh, exquisite service and friendly, not stuffy. Order the prix fix menu for the most bang for your buck (they throw in lots more food). Also enjoyed Papa Giovani. There is a great coffee bar a block up towards the piazza ideal for breakfast. Since this is a Crowne Plaza you can get many discounts ( I got AAA) and can get AA miles as well. The hotel is very quiet, and I'm a very light sleeper. I would never stay in the very noisy Spanish Steps or Via Veneto areas--too crowded. This way you can visit those areas and come back to your own quiet little neighborhood. The streets are quaint and narrow and windy here, but very safe. Ayou can tell, we really loved it. Beautiful walk to the Vatican crossing the Tiber River.

Thanks so much for all of your comments, the Minerva sounds like a good choice and the location is just what we are looking for. Thanks again! <BR>