Fodorites, I need assistance. My parents were on a motorcycle trip in Italy for two and a half weeks, but the trip ended up being not for them, so they quit the trip and are travelling around on their own. They are in Florence right now and then going to Sienna for the weekend. They want to go to Rome on Sunday or Monday for three nights. Want a great hotel that will help them with a car and driver for tours. Want excellent service without snobbery. budget $500/night will pay more for something amazing. thanks in advance.

anyone? I love to plan trips but don't have much time to help them.

A search on venere.com for Oct 15-18 shows 62 hotels with availability - - and while other hotels may have a room for them, this is still a useful starting point. The top 25 (sorting them by price) range from 206 euro per night to 495 euro, but only the top three are over 370 euro. Based on price and location, I think quite a few of them fall off the radar screen, of the other 22. I think that these four are worth considering:

http://en.venere.com/hotels_rome/fon...nazionale.html - - double superior at 260 euro

http://en.venere.com/hotels_rome/spa..._condotti.html - - double standard at 249 euro

http://en.venere.com/hotels_rome/fon...orgognoni.html - - double superior at 318 euro

and

http://en.venere.com/hotels_rome/spa..._valadier.html - - double standard at 353 euro and double superior at 420 euro.

And search "SITA" here on Fodors for info regarding the bus, from Siena to Rome - - it's faster and better than the train because it doesn't backtrack to Florence like the train does.

Best wishes,

Rex

Try Hotel Minerve, it is just behind the Pantheon and is walkable to most sites. Just stayed there in September, it is one of my favorites.
http://www.grandhoteldelaminerve.com/

Also try http://www.limoservicerome.com/Servi...es.htm#Inglese
Limo service rome. Great service we have used them on both of our trips.

Re the trip Siena to Rome. There is no need to "backtrack to Florence" if you take one of the trains which goes to Chiusi where you change for Rome.

Another vote for the Minerva. Great location, very high standards-- and a little, though just a little -- under the budget. Just checked and they have rooms available.

DianeL,
Are the rooms at the Minerve as large as they appear on the website?

Sorry to hijack, msruckus.

Try the Hotel De Russie, fabulous service, rooms are large and comfortable. Location is the best, right at the Piazza de Popolo. We were there last month again and just love it.

Thanks for all these suggestions. now they just have to decide if they are getting to Rome on Sunday or Monday. BTW, they have a rental car, so no need for train. Thanks for that info, though.

Leely - The Deluxe rooms are quite nice and are large by European standards. Ask for a room facing the Piazza they are much quieter and you overlook the back of the Pantheon. The higher the floor the better!

Excerpted from http://www.grandhoteldelaminerve.com/index.php - - regarding October 15-18...

TARIFFA PROMO WEB: .NON DISPONIBILE

PACHETTO STAGIONALE: .NON DISPONIBILE

STANDARD: .NON DISPONIBILE

...which was my point about starting with venere.com to see what hotels actually do have rooms just 36 hours from now.

If they choose the Hotel Minerve, tell them to be sure to visit Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, where there's a Michelangelo sculpture of Risen Christ. Good luck!
>-

I also checked those dates on the english site and found several options, one looked like a great deal including dinner & breakfast for less than we paid for just a room in September!

I noticed some great deals on their website as well. That's why I wanted to know more about the actual rooms for future reference--I love that area.

p.s. Thanks for responding to my question, Diane.

What is the English site? I haven't found that one and can't understand the italian site. Also, has anyone stayed at the Exedra hotel? My friends just called to say that is where they stayed on their honeymoon and they loved that hotel. it is available and is reasonably priced.

whoops! click on the english in the right hand corner. dumb me!

The Brenini Bristol is in a good location, and has excellent service.

They will see to all the needs that your folks have as well as a car. or limo.

We have stayed there several times, now it is too expensive for our budget.
It is around 400.00 a night , but the service is excellent.

Hope your folks find what they need.

Off to Italy in 2 weeks with our 2 grandsons and a daughter. Can't wait!!!!!

Happy travels,
DEL