samsmom1127

I am planning an 8 night trip to Rome and Florence with my 14 year old daughter in February. I am having a terrible time choosing between the following hotels in Rome:

Grand Hotel de la Minerve
Hotel Bernini Bristol
Hotel Grand Plaza
Hotel Marcella Royale
Hotel Majestic
Hotel Savoy

It is really important to me that the hotel be very well located. Walking around in February will be cold, and possibly rainy, so I want to be close to the important sites. Despite the weather, I would rather walk as much as possible rather than rely on the metro or taxis. My daughter is a dedicated and rather sophisticated shopper, so it is important to be close to good shopping. I want to be in walking distance of good, not too touristy, restaurants so that we don't have to go too far afield at night. Finally, I would like the hotel to be a bit special. Normally, I would try for a more authentic Italian experience, but this trip is an early 8th grade graduation gift, so we're not going the B&B route this time.

I have checked out the reviews here, as well as at Trip Advisor and Venere, but there is so much contradictory information that I am completely confused. The folks here on this forum don't seem to have an axe to grind, and are so knowlegeable!

I have many other questions as well, but I don't want make the topic of this post too broad, so I'll post them separately at a later time. Many thanks in advance for your help.

rex

The Minerve is a Cadillac; the Grand Plaza was "grand" in an earlier time - - but today it's a Chevy.

On the other hand, I have read not so long ago about some updates at the Grand Plaza.

Still, the location of the Minerve is way superior, IMO.

Best wishes,

Rex

julia_t

Hi samsmom, I see you are new here so welcome.

I'm going to Rome in October with my 15yo daughter, and am renting an apartment between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona which is about as central as you can get in Rome.

As for your hotels, I can't say because I know none of them, but they all sound expensive and way out of my budget! But if you enter the name of each in the search box above (one at a time!) you will see if anyone has mentioned them in previous threads. The search box here is a very useful tool, so ask it questions for research and information.

Have you got a map of Rome? If you mark on it the approximate locations of your prefered hotels, you can then see how well located they are in relation to the main sights.

There is also a very good website with info on Rome with Teens, including a section on shopping, and I'll look it out for you and post it later.

samsmom1127

Thank you both for your kind responses. I am leaning more and more toward the Minerve.

Julia, I would love to check out the website you recommend. I'll check back! Many thanks.

julia_t

I just looked at this website again, and I don't think you'll find much of interest on it if your daughter has sophisticated tastes! My daughter loves finding unusual accessories that you don't see all over the place, and this market seems worth visiting. I thought there was more about shops and shopping when I first found the site though. Here's the link anyway...

http://www.initaly.com/regions/kids/kid2.htm

In my guide books the Minerve comes out top with a 'special' rating in one and is No 1 in the eyewitness book. (Grand Plaza and Majestic also come up high, the others aren't mentioned, except for the Bernini, but I'm not sure I like that location so much.) The location of the Minerve is certainly good - just round the corner from where we are staying in fact.

I went to Rome one mid-February - no rain in 3 days, lovely and comfortably warm, I just needed a light jacket or cardigan, it definitely wasn't cold - around high 60s low 70s.

Finally a search here on fodors using the words 'teens shopping rome' produced the following 2 threads that could be of interest...

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451292

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34457745

samsmom1127

Wow, thank you again, Julia. Very helpful info. She will want places that aren't "just like home," so your links are great.

I'm also comforted to hear that you didn't have bad weather in Rome in February.

tower

samsmom...
we favor The Modiglani, two blocks from the Spanish Steps, short walk to Barberini Piazza and the Trevi Fountain, and a bit further to Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. This is a boutiquey hotel, excellent included breakfast, clean and comfortable rooms, rooftop terrace....try to get the room on the first floor overlooking the lovely garden..they have an elevator. Very knowledgable owner-couple, friendly staff....rates in Feb should be in the 150E vicinity.

Stu T.(see link)

http://www.hotelmodigliani.com/