starr

Plans have changed overnight. Instead of departing tomorrow for Venice and leaving from Rome on the 16th, now we are leaving tomorrow for Rome and finishing our trip in Venice. Just gotta love Buddy Passes. I haven't had a problem changing our room in Venice but our Rome hotel, Hotel Italia, is booked for this weekend. Anyone have any suggestions for inexpensive, clean hotel, 70-100euros?

OReilly

Starr - I just topped a thread for you re Cheap Hotels in Italy with some useful links.

Best of luck!

jay

www.hoteldesartistes.com
nice place

yk

Try
www.laterooms.com
I've never used it, but have seen it mentioned on this site every now & then.

starr

Thanks OReilly. Jay, has you stayed at Hotel des Artistes? Any further info you can give me on your experience? I went to their website but I'm also looking for personal recommendations and info.

travelbunny

..try ratestogo.com..I find them even better than laterooms.

rex

The website www.venere.com tells what is actually available. Price is only one screening determinant. The real question is: where are there rooms available, in what location, at what price?

Best wishes,

Rex

p.s. - - what's a buddy pass?

amy_zena

Yes venere.com, but you can't find out what is available for tomorrow night. You can see what is available beginning on the 7th august though.
Does a buddy pass mean you are traveling with someone who works in the airline industry?

jay

Yes i have. 5 blocks from termini but it is in a quiet area near the British Embassy. It has a great rooftop terrace. I also looked to see if they had rooms getting there on the 7th and they did.

starr

Thanks for the help. A buddy pass is when you have a friend/family work for the airlines (Delta in my case). She gets a bunch of passes each year to give to friends to use anywhere Delta flies. The good part is you fly first class when available (always has been when I've used them). The bad news is you fly standby so you can be bumped from a flight.

kaudrey

amy and rex - a buddy pass is a free ticket (or sometimes very discounted) that an airline employee can give to family and friends. But there are some restrictions on them - as starr's situation illustrates.

Good luck and have fun, starr!

Karen

WillTravel

Go to laterooms.com and make a reservation.

travelbunny

..checked rates to go..residenzia hotel avail..(availabilities always listed)..quite a nice place

kaudrey

Oops - our posts overlapped! Sorry for the repeated answer.

starr

Thanks Jay. I'll go look at their website again. I appreciate the help.

WillTravel

Or if you don't mind the risk, bid on Priceline (see biddingfortravel.com and betterbidding.com). A 4* hotel is likely best.

amy_zena

ahhhh...if you are not leaving the States until tomorrow then you won't need a hotel until saturday, the 7th? There are plenty of rooms in your price range on venere.com....I looked

You just have to choose your preferred area and price range on the website (the pantheon area only had pricey hotels left)and you will be all set! I have booked with them before and didn't have a problem.

Good luck and have a great trip!

starr

Wow! Thank you so much. You all are great help. I don't mind living by the seat of my pants when it comes to travel but I'm taking my mom for her first and probably only trip to Italy so having a room before we hit Rome would be good.

One more question...what area do you suggest staying in? We will be doing the typical tourist things...vatican, Spanish steps, colisseum....

amy_zena

Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Trevi...

Avoid the area by Termini the station if you can. It's a bit icky, especially at night.

starr

Thanks Amy_Zena.