My Dad and I are going to Florence and Rome. We need 2 rooms and a hotel with no steps. This is harder than I thought. LEt me know if you have any hints.

Hi Y,

www.bedinflorence.it is a small B&B with an elevator. I can recommend it highly.

There are 3 (I think) steps from the street to the elevator.

In Rome, have a look at the Hotel Torre Argentina. On another board, someone reported for a traveler using a power wheelchair with ventilator that there is a 1/2-1 inch rise at the entrance to the hotel, the lobby area is flat and the elevator entrance is flush to the floor.

Thanks! Since Art turned 80 we have to make some adjustments!!!

Sorry I meant to ad more, Ira is on someone on staff all day or just sometimes. My Dad is worried about what would happen if he gets sick.

I took my elderly mother to Rome 18 months ago, and faced many of the same issues. We stayed in the Residenza in Farnese, which is just off the Piazza Farnese. It's a four-star, so I don't know if that suits your budget.

You enter the lobby at street level, and from the lobby to the elevator there is a small ramp so that guests can avoid the two steps up to the elevator level, if need be. Mom uses a walker, so she took the ramp up all the time; I used it for dragging our luggage. I've stayed there several times and it's very nice. And the elevator is always in order!

It's also quite central. The Piazza Farnese is right beside the Campo dei Fiori, but while the Campo can become a party place at night, the Piazza Farnese is much quieter and more calm because the Palazzo Farnese houses the French Embassy. Because of that, there is a 24-hour police presence.

I also went with hotels, rather than booking apartments (which can offer more room and privacy) just in case there was ever any trouble with my Mom, because she has health issues. I also took a list of English-speaking doctors in Rome and in Florence, just in case. And we did need to see the Florence doctor once to arrange a blood test, just to make sure that Mom's blood-thinners were at the appropriate level midway through the trip.

If you need names of doctors, let me know and I'll post some that I collected.

I'd highly recommend our hotel in Florence, except for the fact that there are two steps up from the street to reach the elevator. The Hotel Casci did, however, have a couple of rooms with extra-large bathrooms in case a guest needed to get a walker thru the bathroom door and move around inside.

Good luck!

lungarno suites in Florence has no steps and it's wonderful but not cheap

Ira is correct he recommended the place to me a few years ago and we have been back twice since. As an added plus the bus stops right outside the door.

Hi Y,

>Ira is on someone on staff all day or just sometimes. My Dad is worried about what would happen if he gets sick.<

Not at the B&B.

There is a phone at the desk that you could use to call EMS or or Mrs Ancillotti, who speaks very good English.

You could also use a cell phone to call EMS.

For Dad's peace of mind, however, you might want a hotel that has 24-hr desk service.

yeadonite:

I'm close to dad's age...our favorite in Rome is The Modigliani, with elevator, lovely boutique hotel. I'm quite sure that the staff has someone on duty all night...you'd have to check that out. I found it to be an excellent choice and have sent several friends and relatives there since our last stay..

http://www.hotelmodigliani.com/

stu t.

tower - Did you stay in the apartment or a hotel room? The price sounds good since we need 2 rooms.

Ira,
Does have tvs? In case Art isnt ffeeling well he can relax and watch TV. www.bedinflorence.it

JoanneH you stayed at www.bedinflorence.it?

Hotel della Torre Argentina has a great promotion, they get you from the airport.

eleanorw - Lungaro suites is sold out most nights

I'm sorry I cannot help w/Rome but we stayed in Florence at the Casci like SACC-there is 1 step from the street into the lobby then 10 feet to a second step & the large(by Italian standards) elevator-I am sure that if you contact the Casci you can get the room as described-also the hotel is centrally located so getting around may be easier(it is located on a main street-Via Cavour). Good Luck & God bless you & your father-I lost my mother 3 weeks ago tomorrow

Another strong recommendation for Hotel Casci in Florence. They will take good care of you. I was there 2 years ago with my elderly Mom. She had a medical emergency at 8:30 PM and they were just amazing. One thing - if you are thinking about taking two single rooms, know that they are VERY small. Probably just as small as any single room in European hotels. Have a good time.

The_Judge - I am so sorry to hear of your loss Thanks for taking the time out to respond during such a difficult period in your life. I know how hard it has been having a sick parent, I can imagine the pain of losing one. My Dad (FAMOUSUNCLEART)has been really sick and we feel like we have gotten a second chance and want to take it sooner rather than later.

Are you going on a tour of some type or an independent type of travel? How is your Dad going to manage all the steps and cobblestones in Rome? Will he have any problems sitting for a long flight to Rome?

The reason I ask is I go to Rome almost everyweek from spring until fall for work and its my favorite city in the world. However, I find it extremely hard to walk as I need two knee replacements and the city lends itself to more walking than other transportation.

I, too have been dealing with a really sick set of parents for the past 5 years so I can appreciate the urgency of the trip.I just hope that you can make this trip pleasurable for you too as I know how hard it is to be the caregiver and "in charge".Good luck!

Dutyfree - I wish I traveled internationally. I did when I was in my 20's and didnt appreciate it.

Thanks my Dad has trouble with steps but suprisingly he is a good walker for 80. We can take it slow but at least he will go back. He hasnt been in Italy since WWII (he ended up in jail during the war and wants to go back). My parents have had issues for years and it really takes a toll,I also had 2 first cousins die in the last month It makes you want to seize the day.

Dear Yeadonite-thank you for your kind words-I too traveled young but did not appreciate it-my parents were born in Ireland & we would go every few years to see my grandparents(& to get off the NYC streets as my mother would say) & I never wanted to go. I have limited mobility due to a bad back(I use a cane)-I would suggest you get a good map of Florence(Nat. Geo. or Rough Guide) & plan every excursion so as to save your father's energy-we would usually take the bus or a cab to a point in Florence then eventually come back to the hotel w/stops along the way(my favorite stop was to gaze upon the Duomo-day or night-then it is a short 1 1/2 blocks to the hotel). I sincerely wish you good luck & God bless your father-I am sure he will do great-they are made of stronger stuff than us.

I think we are going with The Modigliani and the Casci. Since we need 2 rooms it will cost a fortune but you are only 80 once!!!! At the Modigliani I think we will get the independent apartment. I wish there was a similar option in Florence. With the independent apartment we will have the hotel staff in case of emergency but we can eat at our leisure. My Dad has some eating problems so he doesnt always like to eat in public.

The_Judge - My Dad is so excited he can't wait to travel and take pictures and post his stories online In December he was so sick he said I dont think I will ever go on vacation again.

Congratulations, Yeadonite! I'm excited for you, that you've got your hotels chosen and are so determined to go. I'm sure you'll have a great time!

There are so many pros and cons to the hotel vs apartment, the apartment gives you a bit more freedom in terms of making your meals, etc. But the hotel can perhaps give you a bit more backup.

But you can always tailor the place to your needs. When my Mom and I were at the Casci, she wasn't feeling well a couple of mornings and didn't feel like going down to the communal breakfast room. So the staff helped me put together a tray with cappuccino and some toast, eggs, and other little things to tempt Mom's appetite and I just served her in our room. No problem.

A few evenings in Rome when she didn't want to go out after a busy day, I just hit the markets for some bread and cheese and wine (she loved the Italian wine!) and we had a picnic dinner in our room. Hotel staff there were also really helpful, bringing up corkscrews, cutlery, napkings, anything we asked for.

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful trip!

Judge, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother.