Dear Fodorites:

I'm trying to decide on a good hotel in Rome, more or less in the center of the main attraction sites. Going by reviews I've read, I reserved in Hotel Locarno (Via della Penna / Piazza de Poppolo) for 240 Euros a night for a Double. However, my hubby opines we can get something similar for less. I came across reviews on other sites regarding the Daphne Trevi (less expensive hotel), which sound good to me. But, I would greatfully appreciate your input. If anyone has any information - good or bad - on this hotel, and/or Locarno, please let me know. Bottom line - I would like an economical, nice, clean hotel with private bathrooms in the center of the main sites. I pray this isn't impossible. My trip is in November, so I still have time.

Thanks for your time and opinions.

Just stayed at the Daphne Trevi a few weeks ago. Stayed at the Locarno about 10 years ago.

The Hotel Locarno is a classic full-service hotel (with elevator) with a lobby, many guest rooms, breakfast room, and full-time staff. It is reasonably-located but slightly farther from the central area near the Trevi fountain (perhaps 15 minutes walk) and Piazza Navona on a pleasant residential street. Can't speak knowledgably about the staff since it's been so long.

The Daphne Trevi is a B&B on two floors (2nd and 3rd--no elevator, steep stairs) with a small reception area, perhaps 10 rooms, small breakfast room, and part-time staff. It is well-located near the Trevi fountain (perhaps 5 minutes walk) and Piazza Navona on a dingy side-street near the very busy Piazza Barberini. Though part-time, the staff is incredibly helpful, present mornings and evenings to help you plan your visit.

Both are fine places to stay--it just depends on what you need in your accomodations. We thought the Daphne Trevi was great, nice room, and excellent value, but some people might want a full-time staff and more services. I understand Daphne Veneto has an elevator.

For me, I would choose either one again--it would depend on my traveling companions and their particular needs.

Thanks Ellenm. You don't know how much your reply helped. I need a hotel with an elevator, since both my husband and I suffer from back problems and can't possibly haul heavy suitcases up any stairs. I've noticed that the majority of the hotels I've researched with this particularity (no elevator)do not post it in their hotel's summary or description. It's a shame. So, the Daphne Trevi is out of the question.

Since you mentioned you stayed at the Locarno, do you remember if it is more than a 30 min. walk from the Vatican or the Collosseum. My husband and I like to walk, but I would just like to have an idea since we've never been to Italy. Thanks again.

The Locarno is probably 20-30 minutes from the Vatican, depending on how good a walker you are. . . probably a bit more to the Colosseum. However, at the other side of the Piazza del Popolo (about 5 minutes away) is a metro stop (Flaminia). Both the Vatican and the Colosseum have reasonable metro access, especially the Colosseum. Also good taxi access in the piazza.

We really enjoyed the Daphne Trevi. The rooms were fine, good breakfast (they packed us breakfast for our departure day since we would miss breakfast hours), very helpful, cellphone provided to each room, free internet access. I'd stay there again if my traveling companion has no mobility issues.

As I mentioned, their other location, the Daphne Veneto, has an elevator. Both Daphnes are near the Piazza Barberini merto stop.

I forgot about the Daphne Veneto, although plan to check it out. I want something pretty much centralized, since I do not want to depend on taxi service. I've read so much on taxi rip-offs that I want to avoid them. Besides, and most important, by walking one is actually site-seeing. I'll just have to continue my search and relying on Fodorites and other Web reviews. Thanks again Ellenm.

Just want to make clear--the Locarno is not horribly far away--there are sites to see in that area along the way to other poitns of interest. Its quite close to the major shopping area of the Via del Corso. It's closer to what you're interested in than, say, the hotels around Termini.

Good luck with your search.

We stayed at the Locarno last summer and thought it was excellent. It is a little out of the centre but we liked that and it was a nice walk to the Spanish Steps, etc. We had an early morning tour at the Vatican and so took a taxi there, but we walked back to the Locarno, stopping for lunch and gelato along the way. Being near the Piazza del Populo gave us another piazza to explore and the Locarno is only a block or so from the Tiber.
The breakfast was very good and since we were there in the summer, we could sit outside on the patio in the mornings. I would go back there.
Hope this helps.