Drumroll....I finally decided on a Roman Hotel!
 

For those of you following and graciously assisting with the Rome portion of our August Italian trip, I finally booked a place. The initial plan of getting a suite or apartment within a hotel did not pan out well
(Modigliani was fully booked, Hotel Forum wasn't in an area I ultimately wanted, Domus Internazionale was on the Spanish Steps and I wanted to be away from them etc...) so I narrowed it down to wanting to be near the Piazza Navona and then after talking to people at the hotels realized that I might like the Piazza Rotunda even a bit more. I was all set to book the Albergo del Senato but was off-put by both people with whom I spoke when I called the hotel on two separate occasions. A bit condescending and one was borderline rude. Not the warm reception I was expecting. The Santa Chiara seemed a bit too bare bones, but the Hotel Abruzzi right behind the del Senato seemed promising based on the reviews I read. When I called the hotel, the very warm and gracious clerk, Manuel, who assisted me, made me feel so welcome and the rates were right for four nights: 724euro for my parents' double and 927euro for our junior suite for three, both with views of the Pantheon and full breakfast. I took the standard rate so I am able to cancel 72 hours in advance. It's not the Russie or Minerve but it seems nice enough. Now to to try to book a food tour with Elizabeth Minchilli!

Thanks for all your help.

Congrats! That hotel was right near our apt and I think a very nice location. Right across the Piazza is Armando al Pantheon where we had such a good meal we went back for our last night. Reservations, which can be made online, well in advance are needed. Best coffee we had was also nearby at Sant'Eustacchio il Caffe.

Your experience with Albergo del Santo when I tried to pop in just to have a look since I had read so much about it on this board mirrored mine -- snotty and not welcoming at all. I remember thinking they are not nice to potential guests & wondered what they are like to their guests.

Have a wonderful trip!

Interesting post for sure.

This is very strange to me. I've stayed at Albergo Del Senato four times, most recently last year, and always had a warm gracious welcome. I don't know if there have been staff changes, but it seems odd. The hotel is still one of my all time favorites in Europe.

zen, I'm so glad! You know my feelings about del Senato but sorry for your experience on the phone.

If Elizabeth Minchilli is booked, you might check out Katie Parla. I have a tour booked with her based on great reviews and experience of friends.

Here's a link to Katie Parla's latest recommendations. FYI, I don't know Katie but trust my friends who have recommended her.

http://www.parlafood.com/where-to-eat-drink-shop-rome/

I'm with Dukey.

I've stayed at both Senato and the Abruzzi. Senato gave me one of the worst receptions upon arriving I have ever experienced in italy -- but the Abruzzi was not much better. They made a big point of telling me they would not be helping me carry my bags upstairs, and then tried to wheedle me into paying cash upon departure (this was some years ago, and I hope the illegality has stopped). My room was shabby, air con was problematic, bad wi-fi, but maybe things have improved. Haven't read recent reviews.

I just had a great experience at Princeps Boutique Hotel, but it is in Monti -- and apparently you don't want Monti. But I would go back there. Good air con, wi-fi and quiet, quiet, quiet. A very intelligently designed hotel. Very little public area -- but as a recall, Abruzzi has none.

http://www.booking.com/hotel/it/princeps.en-gb.html

The Princeps looks beautiful, but I really want to be in the Piazza Navona or Piazza Rotunda area. Monti is supposedly a fantastic area with phenomenal restaurants. In fact, I believe that's where Elizabeth Minchilli lives.

Trust me, I have a feeling I might cancel the Abruzzi but for now it is fine. At least I have something in an area I want to be in until I figure out something else. Barcelona and the Amalfi coast are square away. Who would ever have thought Rome would be so difficult?

"I really want to be in the Piazza Navona or Piazza Rotunda area."

Don't worry about it. Everyone goes through that stage.

If you're getting two rooms anyway, consider moving up the street a few minutes walk, to the Hotel Portoghesi. Regular rooms, junior suites, and I believe a suite or two. It's a very nice hotel just a few minutes from where you are planning to stay now.

This is as central and fun and surrounded by the same sights as the hotels at Piazza Rotunda, but maybe just a little more quiet and less crowded. After many trips to Rome, it is my neighborhood of choice.

http://www.hotelportoghesiroma.it/

Now, I can sleep tonight.

tuscanlifeedit, I seem to recall that you also like the Torre Argentina Relais. I have a suite reserved there for September.

ROFL, Aduchamp!

All of Fodorville is aflutter because Señorita Cosa can't find a hotel room in Rome!

Thin LOVES Monti! It is such a real nabe. Love Trattoria Monti and Santa Prassede Church.

I'm just wild about Monti, and Monti's just wild about me!

Thin

Am I missing something? Is there a reason to mock posters?

I'm a pretty tough New Yorker; I can take it! :) But I much prefer civility.

LouisaH, many thanks for the link to Katie! I was looking through some notes last night from a benefit I was at a few years ago, and I believe I met her there. I will definitely look into her tour. I am very interested in exploring the foods of the Jewish ghetto on this trip to Italy. I just wish artichokes were actually in season! Alas...

Oh, come on, it was a joke.

No one is being mocked.

My Gucci, one can't even participate in cocktail-party banter without being verbally assaulted by
the Fodorville Thought Taliban.

Some of you are as much fun as an afternoon reading Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead.


Thin

These boards have taken on the pseudo-sophistication of amateur wine connoisseurs. They must be taken seriously otherwise it is an insult to them and every grape ever plucked.