Do not stay at the Casaromana B&B in Rome
Aug 27th, 2004, 05:46 AM
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Do not stay at the Casaromana B&B in Rome
If anyone is considering it, DO NOT STAY AT THE CASAROMANA B&B near Piazza Novona!!
We had a terrible experience, and ended up not even staying there at all. The place is located in a little street that was dark as hell at night, it has no sign to tell you that you're there, is completely run down on the outside--to the point that we didn't even want to go inside, and never did!
We arrived late at night, after communicating with the manager and telling him that we'd be late. There was nobody there to meet us or even to open the door, and we couldn't even find it becuse the street is so seedy at night. Our experience was so bad that we are fighting with them now to get their cancellation charge removed from our credit card bill.
I've stayed in all sorts of places from Latin America to East Asia, so I can handle all sorts of accomodations. But this place was all around the worst I've ever encountered. Hell, the inside might be beautiful, but we never even got inside, so I've no idea.
We had a terrible experience, and ended up not even staying there at all. The place is located in a little street that was dark as hell at night, it has no sign to tell you that you're there, is completely run down on the outside--to the point that we didn't even want to go inside, and never did!
We arrived late at night, after communicating with the manager and telling him that we'd be late. There was nobody there to meet us or even to open the door, and we couldn't even find it becuse the street is so seedy at night. Our experience was so bad that we are fighting with them now to get their cancellation charge removed from our credit card bill.
I've stayed in all sorts of places from Latin America to East Asia, so I can handle all sorts of accomodations. But this place was all around the worst I've ever encountered. Hell, the inside might be beautiful, but we never even got inside, so I've no idea.
Aug 27th, 2004, 09:03 AM
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I'm sorry for your problem, but I'm really confused. There was nobody to let you in, but you admit that you never went to the right door since you couldn't find it? Does that make sense to anyone?
And I'm sorry the area was seedy, but what do you mean that prevented you from finding it. If you're looking for number 147 and there's a number there even rusting away, that's the right place. And if the number was missing, but you found any numbers on other buildings, you should probably be able to figure out which door would be the one for the exact address you're seeking.
Are you sure you didn't like the looks of the place and changed your mind?
This summer we stayed at the wonderful apartments Palazzo Olivia. There is no sign on the door at all. The street probably looks seedy to many as it is small, rather dark, has no cars, but a lot of motorcycles parked on it. I nearly made the mistake of not having the actual number available, knowing it was a small street and thinking I'd be able to find it. When we got there and didn't see it, I had to root through my luggage to find the actual number. I suppose I could have been like you and decided that it was too "iffy" to stay and left, but we would have missed out on a wonderful place to stay. I can't speak for your place, but it is possible you did too. Frankly Rome's little streets aren't exactly luxury, but I can't think of a single street anywhere near Piazza Navonna that I would refuse to stay on because of its seediness.
And I'm sorry the area was seedy, but what do you mean that prevented you from finding it. If you're looking for number 147 and there's a number there even rusting away, that's the right place. And if the number was missing, but you found any numbers on other buildings, you should probably be able to figure out which door would be the one for the exact address you're seeking.
Are you sure you didn't like the looks of the place and changed your mind?
This summer we stayed at the wonderful apartments Palazzo Olivia. There is no sign on the door at all. The street probably looks seedy to many as it is small, rather dark, has no cars, but a lot of motorcycles parked on it. I nearly made the mistake of not having the actual number available, knowing it was a small street and thinking I'd be able to find it. When we got there and didn't see it, I had to root through my luggage to find the actual number. I suppose I could have been like you and decided that it was too "iffy" to stay and left, but we would have missed out on a wonderful place to stay. I can't speak for your place, but it is possible you did too. Frankly Rome's little streets aren't exactly luxury, but I can't think of a single street anywhere near Piazza Navonna that I would refuse to stay on because of its seediness.
Aug 27th, 2004, 10:01 AM
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I too don;t get it. Granted a lot of streets and buildings in Rome look very seedy outside - even when they're luxurious inside (a function of the italian tax system - which taxes I believe not just on income but also on value of property - so looking seedy is a benefit). If you never went to the hotel at all I can't understand how you can expect a refund - or even make any sort of complaint about it.
Aug 27th, 2004, 10:36 AM
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I doubt you'll be able to recoup the cancellation fee, especially if the B&B has a cancellation policy of 24 hrs. or something similar. After all, you DID cancel the reservation on the day you were supposed to check in!
Aug 27th, 2004, 10:56 AM
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Aug 27th, 2004, 11:46 AM
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No, Ira, I'm sure that's not it, even though it has the exact same name. I know that street (Monterone) pretty well, just a block over from the Pantheon. There's no way that's the place jhides is describing as too seedy to stay there. Unless they were totally lost and not even in that neighborhood at all, or they don't have a clue what Rome is all about.
But I'm still trying to figure out how one knows there was "nobody there to meet us or even open the door" when they "couldn't even find it".
But I'm still trying to figure out how one knows there was "nobody there to meet us or even open the door" when they "couldn't even find it".
Aug 27th, 2004, 11:50 AM
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Author: jhides
Date: 05/19/2004, 09:44 am
Message: I'm travelling to Rome this June/July, and we want to stay somewhere as cheap as possible, but also reasonably located. We've been told not to stay in the area of the Termini Station, because its kinda run down. I've found a B&B near Piazza Navona that I'm hoping to get a room at. Anybody know what that neighborhood is like, or can you recommend another super-cheap B&B or hotel in a decent neighborhood.
You were not asking for the Ritz!!!
Date: 05/19/2004, 09:44 am
Message: I'm travelling to Rome this June/July, and we want to stay somewhere as cheap as possible, but also reasonably located. We've been told not to stay in the area of the Termini Station, because its kinda run down. I've found a B&B near Piazza Navona that I'm hoping to get a room at. Anybody know what that neighborhood is like, or can you recommend another super-cheap B&B or hotel in a decent neighborhood.
You were not asking for the Ritz!!!
Aug 27th, 2004, 12:08 PM
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Sorry about that -- my computer did a weird thing.
As I was saying, I, too have been on that street quite a few times, assuming it's Via Monterone. It's one block west of the Pantheon. At the top of it is Piazza Eustachio, with a famous and well-frequented caffe and also Palazzo Madama, seat of the Italian Senate (with a carabinieri presence). I've never found it to be particularly seedy. Hmmm.... Was there something in particular about it that seemed dangerous?
As I was saying, I, too have been on that street quite a few times, assuming it's Via Monterone. It's one block west of the Pantheon. At the top of it is Piazza Eustachio, with a famous and well-frequented caffe and also Palazzo Madama, seat of the Italian Senate (with a carabinieri presence). I've never found it to be particularly seedy. Hmmm.... Was there something in particular about it that seemed dangerous?
Aug 27th, 2004, 12:21 PM
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I don't recall Via Monterone as terribly seedy either, but there have been complaints on www.venere.com that Casaromana uses the Via Monterone address as an "address of convenience" and in fact puts people up in various other places.
Here is the link:
http://www.venere.com/cgi/templates/...ser_rating.php
Here is the link:
http://www.venere.com/cgi/templates/...ser_rating.php
.
Aug 27th, 2004, 02:54 PM
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Eloise, you win the award for sleuthing. I'm beginning to understand after reading all those comments.
Now it would be nice if jhides comes back and explains exactly where they were told to go, since it sounds like the listed address may not be where they were supposed to stay.
Never the less, I can't figure out how you can expect a refund if you never entered the door -- even if you couldn't find it.
Now it would be nice if jhides comes back and explains exactly where they were told to go, since it sounds like the listed address may not be where they were supposed to stay.
Never the less, I can't figure out how you can expect a refund if you never entered the door -- even if you couldn't find it.
Aug 30th, 2004, 02:36 AM
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Okay, I see that I've generated some interest--and doubt--so I'll explain better.
Yes, I am talking about the Casaromana on Via Monterone, near Piazza Navona. And yes, we did actually find it the night that we arrived--but only after walking up and down the street a few times, eventually deciding that the run-down, completely unlit doorway with no sign had to be it by process of elimination. (I even have pictures of it!)
Some of you mention that this place might actually be a booking agency that places guests in other apartments. If so, this was never mentioned to me in any of the 4-5 times that we exchanged phone calls, faxes and e-mails prior to my arrival. I had told them that we'd be arriving in Rome very late at night, and they never mentioned any special arrangements that would be necessary. So when we arrived, eventually found the door, and banged on it for five minutes or so, followed by phone calls to them (no answer), we decided that we had no option but to look for another hotel. Even if they are some sort of decentralized operation, they should have at least answered the phone. And yes, there is a poorly-written label on the doorbell that says casaromana (do you really think that one should have to look that hard!?), but I called that number in addition to the other one that I had, and there was no answer at either one.
As for never setting foot inside it, why would we pack up yet again, after the whole arrival experience, and change hotels!? We did go back to the address, because we were at Piazza Navona. And yes, it does look better when the sun is up and the grocery store next dooor is open. But even when I called them again, and FINALLY reached a person, they said that they couldn't speak with me face to face.
Come on, how much inconvenience and hassle do I need to put up with? After all, I was on vacation!!
Yes, I am talking about the Casaromana on Via Monterone, near Piazza Navona. And yes, we did actually find it the night that we arrived--but only after walking up and down the street a few times, eventually deciding that the run-down, completely unlit doorway with no sign had to be it by process of elimination. (I even have pictures of it!)
Some of you mention that this place might actually be a booking agency that places guests in other apartments. If so, this was never mentioned to me in any of the 4-5 times that we exchanged phone calls, faxes and e-mails prior to my arrival. I had told them that we'd be arriving in Rome very late at night, and they never mentioned any special arrangements that would be necessary. So when we arrived, eventually found the door, and banged on it for five minutes or so, followed by phone calls to them (no answer), we decided that we had no option but to look for another hotel. Even if they are some sort of decentralized operation, they should have at least answered the phone. And yes, there is a poorly-written label on the doorbell that says casaromana (do you really think that one should have to look that hard!?), but I called that number in addition to the other one that I had, and there was no answer at either one.
As for never setting foot inside it, why would we pack up yet again, after the whole arrival experience, and change hotels!? We did go back to the address, because we were at Piazza Navona. And yes, it does look better when the sun is up and the grocery store next dooor is open. But even when I called them again, and FINALLY reached a person, they said that they couldn't speak with me face to face.
Come on, how much inconvenience and hassle do I need to put up with? After all, I was on vacation!!
Aug 30th, 2004, 03:32 AM
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StephenG pointed out your request as posted by you, jhides! SUPER CHEAP B&B!
and Thats what you got, I have never been to Rome or seen the place you are talking about but, always remember you get what you pay for, thats why on our vacation to Europe in 13 days from today
I have only booked 4 or 5 star hotels
because, we don't want to have to stay at completely run down dumps or worry about the neighborhood we have to walk in to get back to the hotel at night.I am just guessing but SUPER CHEAP in Rome
is about 60 Euro per night? if you would have steped that amount up to say, 100 Euro per night you would not have been disappointed and your vacation could have been stress free.We ajusted 50 Euro per day out of our food budget to add to our hotel budget, so nothing like what happened to you would happen to us. The last thing I would say is, don't make the few euros you lost by not staying at that dump, the highlight of your vacation to Rome, let it go.
and Thats what you got, I have never been to Rome or seen the place you are talking about but, always remember you get what you pay for, thats why on our vacation to Europe in 13 days from today
I have only booked 4 or 5 star hotels
because, we don't want to have to stay at completely run down dumps or worry about the neighborhood we have to walk in to get back to the hotel at night.I am just guessing but SUPER CHEAP in Rome
is about 60 Euro per night? if you would have steped that amount up to say, 100 Euro per night you would not have been disappointed and your vacation could have been stress free.We ajusted 50 Euro per day out of our food budget to add to our hotel budget, so nothing like what happened to you would happen to us. The last thing I would say is, don't make the few euros you lost by not staying at that dump, the highlight of your vacation to Rome, let it go.
Aug 30th, 2004, 03:51 AM
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I said WE are staying at 4 0r 5 star hotels, not that jhides could get one in rome for 100 euros. I simply said he should have paid a little more. We will not be going to rome this trip, Our rooms Avg about 250 euros per night.
Aug 30th, 2004, 06:06 AM
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jhides. What you say is making a lot more sense now, and I couldn't agree more. Your original post was very unclear at least to me, as it seemed to be saying you never found it.
Bigboy does have a point -- to an extent. I wouldn't expect a lot from a 60 € per night place in Rome. And I still say I would have no hesitation staying on that street even if I were paying two or three times that amount. But if they wouldn't let you in, I'm not sure there's much you could do -- other than contact them the next day and demand a "refund" or credit.
Bigboy does have a point -- to an extent. I wouldn't expect a lot from a 60 € per night place in Rome. And I still say I would have no hesitation staying on that street even if I were paying two or three times that amount. But if they wouldn't let you in, I'm not sure there's much you could do -- other than contact them the next day and demand a "refund" or credit.
