I am planning a trip to Italy this October. I am going to be traveling with my Mom and sister. I really enjoy the research part of traveling and I am leaning towards not using a travel agent. I find that this forum is really helpful...thanks in advance to everyone's great info. We are going to be in Rome for 4 nights and traveling to Tuscan towns for the following 10 nights. While in Rome, we want to be in the center of activity and it seems that most of you would recommed Piazza Navona and Pantheon area. The only problem I am having a problem with so far, is finding a neat hotel. We want to spend $200-$350 per night. Ideally, we would like just one room for all of us. What we like...character, cleanliness, charm and comfort. Knowing that we won't be in the room too much, I am trying to stay away from true luxury (even thought, I love those great hotels). Do you find that booking thru the hotels is the best route or is going thru venere.com a better deal? It is not important to have a restaurant in the hotel, but a tiny lounge would be great, but not necessary. From all the reading I have been doing, I think the above mentioned areas would best suit our needs. I like the fact that it is in the central part and close to many attractions. I can't even imagine how many fantastic restaurants are just everywhere. But, I will deal with the restaurant stuff later, I am a bit of a "foodie" and that will have to be another email. Thanks in advance for any of your suggestions. Looking forward to chatting with you all over the next few months.

Hi

Martha, there have been tons of discussions about hotels in this area. My favorite is the Portoghesi. I am not sure if they have a triple, but I think there is a junior suite or suite that might fit your budget. If you search that hotel, you'll find recommendations for others in the area.

Will you be staying over a weekend? The Hotel Nationale de Montecitorio has a weekend special of 3 nights for the price of two, or four for 3, or something like that. I like the location of that hotel, too, and since it is on the same piazza as the parliament, there are lots of gaurds around, all day and night. It is a larger hotel, and probably has more room configurations. I've always wanted to stay there.

I don't think venere.com is necessarily your best bet. I would rather book with hotels directly, and I think that since you need a triple, you are better off compiling a list of hotels in the area that Fodorites recommend, then writing to each to them, via email.

Good luck.

Hi

My wife and I went to Rome last year and I have posted a trip report with pictures and links on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy.htm . I have also made an interactive Google map of Rome on http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy_map.htm . Here I have marked some of the attractions and some of the restaurants we went to. I hope that this can be of some help to you guys

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

Hi Martha,

I agree with tuscanlifeedit - while venere is a great site, and I have used it to book rooms for 2 people, I find it is usually even better to contact the hotel directly. This is especially true when looking to have more than 2 people in a room. We often travel with one or both of our kids and have found that even when there is no specific info on 2+ in a room, the hotel often will help accommodate us. They may have a special "family" room or a larger room to which they add a bed to make a triple. Just ask.

Hope that helps. Enjoy the planning and happy travels.

Hi Martha,
We just got back from Christmas in Rome and stayed at the Albergo del Senato. It is right in front of the Pantheon, and after spending five days walking all over Rome, I agree that the Pantheon/Piazza Navona area is the best place to stay, especially for a first trip to Rome! You can walk absolutely everywhere, and in October the weather should be perfect. I would agree with the other posters to contact hotels directly and tell them your needs. You never know what they will offer. I told the Senato that we wanted something really special but only could spend about 300 Euro per night; they gave us one of their primo rooms (#603, with a tiny balcony and top-floor view of the Pantheon) for 310 when the normal high-season rate is 385. I'm not sure if the Senato has triple rooms but it is an absolutely wonderful hotel - small, lovely rooms with marble bathrooms, incredibly friendly service, great breakfast (included), and in the warmer months they have a fabulous rooftop patio bar.

You might research the Del Senato (Albergo Del Senato maybe). I beleive that it is in the pnatheon area.

We have not stayed there ourselves.

Would you consider an apartment? www.sleepinitaly.com rents apartments for less than a week. You could get something very comfortable for the 3 of you in your price range.

Okay, I am getting back in the planning game. Thanks for all the good info.
We will be staying at Residenza Canali for 4 nights in a triple room. I have booked a Vatican tour right after the Papal Audience. Vatican Tours Inc. is going to arrange for tickets to the audience and give us a 3 hour tour afterwards. We would like to do a tour of the Roman Forum/Colloseum. If you used any great tour companies, please pass along. After 4 days, we are going to head out of Rome and go to Tuscany. We want to rent a car in Rome. Is it really terrible navigating Rome in a car. We just want to pick up the car and get out of Rome. But, for first timers, am I being too ambitious to think that that I am going to get out of the city safe and sound. There are millions of posts of great restaurants. I am just going to search this site and follow the recommendations of others. Thanks again....can't wait. Planning Florence is next.