My husband and I are going to Rome for our 25th anniversary. It's the first time for both of us, so I'm looking for some opinions on neighborhoods. I've already learned so much on this board, I'm hoping for some help! I'm new at this and kind of an idiot when it comes to computers, so please be patient!
Anyway, here are the possibilities:

http://www.sleepinitaly.com/files/apt_montedipieta.html

http://www.sleepinitaly.com/files/apt_paradiso.html
http://www.sleepinitaly.com/files/apt_cappellari.html

http://www.sleepinitaly.com/files/apt_rondanini.html

http://www.sleepinitaly.com/files/apt_altoviti.html
I would so appreciate anybody's thoughts. We're terrible tourists and would really prefer just plopping ourselves in a restaurant with a bottle of wine, but, of course, feel compelled to see the most important sites while we're there. We want to be able to walk everywhere (safely) on beautiful Italian side-streets, if possible (?!), since I'm not sure if we'll have the patience (or know-how) to figure out public transportation. I hope there are some kind souls out there who could help?

i've been to rome 2x, 4 days each. we stayed by the train station (to the west of) both times. walking close to the train station at night as 4 young females made me slightly nervous... our hotels were safe and clean though.

I like the first hotel in campo fiori. campo fiori we found to be charming. depends however what youre looking for. piazza navona is ok too but i liked the quiet and neighborhoodyness of campo fiori. and you'll def find your wine in italy!!!

summer:

I've been to Rome many times. I think I like all your choices, but maybe the last one. It isn't inconvenient, but I don't like that location for charm and convenience as much as the others.

I think if I had absolutely any choice, I would choose the Pantheon apartment for a first time visit. You would be very smack in the middle of everything you might like. The most fun streets, a huge concentration of restaurants and wine places, and a fairly easy walk to most places.

Please promise us you will see at least a couple of sights in Rome. Maybe St Peter's and Forum? Please?

You did pretty well picking neighborhoods that most posters here favor. Did you case the Rome recs before choosing?

I only looked at the apartments in terms of location.

Don't worry to much about public transportation. If you want to see the main sites of Rome, you could easily walk to all of them from the Pantheon apartment.

Hello summer 0260! Welcome to Fodor's.

Last March, my husband and I stayed in the Rondanini apartment. We found it very comfortable, nicely furnished, and very quiet at night in the bedroom for sleeping.

The location is fabulous. We have been to Rome several times, and we found this location the best we have stayed at so far. Personally, I would be hard-pressed to find a better location within Rome.

I wrote a review of the place and posted it here. I will see if I can find it and give you the link. Several other posters here have stayed here as well, and you might also want to check on slowtrav for their comments.

There have been positive and negative reviews. But for us, it fit our bill perfectly. I would definitely stay here again.

Happy travels!

Oh boy! The search function was working great. I found the link to my review of the Rondanini apartment (I was using a different screen name then, but it's still me.) Hope this helps.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34990835

I am pulled towards the Pantheon apt, city center is what we loved. Here are some restaurant recs for you, summer!

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35104443

Have a wonderful time!

p.s. we might stay in this apt is the future!

p.s.s. swisshiker may meet us for prosecco! Hee.

Well, hi there Tiff! So good to see you 'round these parts!

from Mr. Tiff and his gal

Thanks so much for all your thoughts! It seems the Pantheon area is in the lead! Tiff, I can't wait to pour over your restaurant recommendations, and I do promise, Tuscan, to see some sights! This is the best resource ever! Keep the ideas coming-I only wish I didn't have to wait until October to go!
Grazie!

Swisshiker, I'm so exicted that you actually stayed in that apartment! The location was what caught my attention, as well. It seemed like we could get to all the sights, as well as Trastevere, quite easily. And the price is right, too!

bkmk

Here's a review of the Rondanini apartment which I posted on TTG...

<<<Just back from staying there for 6 nights!

Yes, the shower drain does smell a bit, but it is not too bad, in fact it is an aroma I have smelt all over Italy, and in Spain and Paris too! In fact when I came home I'm sure I caught the same whiff wafting up from my bathroom sink - after being unused for a week!!!

All in all it is a very nice apartment, in a great location, and I would stay there again.

Positives...
The apartment has pretty much everything you might need, and all seems in good condition.
Very comfortable bed, nice linens. The ceiling fan in the bedroom is quiet. The room is quiet away from the street noise, but one morning 'er upstairs started cleaning at 7.30am, rolling furniture around and vacuuming vigorously!
Plenty of hot water, effective shower, large soft bath towels and just about enough smaller ones.
Washing machine works, and everything air-dried within 24 hours on the rack.
Large fridge, with freezer compartment.
Apartment is very secure, with 2 doors and a gate to unlock.
La Cornacchie restaurant just below the apartment is very nice and fairly reasonable. Waiter is very helpful. Two other restaurants in the Piazza, and a cafe.
Pantheon 1 minute, Piazza Navona barely 5 minutes walk.

Negatives (aside from the shower smell)...
Little natural light - there are only two small windows in the living room and one has the vent for the airconditioning and is sealed shut with the shutters closed. But there are plenty of electric lights with dimmer switches and they are fine.
The airconditioning unit itself is quite noisy.
Daughter says sofa bed is comfortable.
Sleeping in the living room was a bit noisy especially in the early mornings when the rubbish men come to empty the bins, but daughter just rolled over and went back to sleep!
The large security gate inside the building cannot be shut quietly - at least no one does and the clang tends to reverberate through the apartment a bit, but I got used to it fairly quickly. Daughter hardly noticed it.

I've stayed in places with much less to offer, and you really could do a lot worse than this. >>>>

I ended up booking this apartment because my earlier reservation for the Paradiso apartment was cancelled (I believe because the owner was pregnant), and while I still think Paradiso is a nicer apartment I really did love the location of the Rondanini, less than a minute from the Pantheon.

And if you do stay here try Le Cornacchie restaurant right outside the apartment!

I agree it would be hard to go wrong with any of the first four. It depends a little on what part of the city you will want to visit most. If you think you will head toward the Spanish Steps/shopping area often probably the one near the Pantheon is best
I would personally probably pick the first apartment which is closest to the area where we stayed last year in the Jewish ghetto.
It should be easy to get to Trastevere from any of the apartments; there are trams from Largo Argentina, a central public transit hub.

Julia, thanks so much for the review. Nothing beats a recommendation from those who have actually stayed in the apt in question!
Vttraveler-I am so torn because, from what I'm reading, Trastevere is where we might be happiest at night. But then I wondered if we would lose a lot of time during the day trying to get to the Vatican, etc. How far a walk would you say it is from the Pantheon to some good restaurants in Trastevere?
Tiff-I hope the apt works out for you! I think I gained 10 pounds reading about the restaurants you enjoyed! I'm trying to figure out how to print your list without using all the ink in my printer! Thank you so much!

If you really want to be in an apartment that is an easy walk to the nightlife in Trastevere, the apartment near Piazza Monte di Pieta makes a lot of sense.
When we stayed near Piazza Mattei in the ghetto, we got to/from the Vatican easily by taking the #23 bus that runs along the Tiber going north on the east side, going south on the western (Trastevere) side

From the Pantheon to Trastevere I think you would have to plan on a 25 to 30 minute walk. I would recommend that you walk at least once through the ghetto neighborhood and across Isola Tiberina. As I mentioned, you could catch the #8 tram at the Largo Argentina to shorten the walk to Trastevere. It goes along Via Arenula and across the Tiber over Ponte Garibaldi

Hi Summer, heres another one to look at, very romantic, Walking to most attractions. I have booked it for Mid.May ...
http://www.sleepinitaly.com/files/apt_panisperna.html
I hope you have a wonderful time.

Thanks, Mimi-you,too! Be sure to do a report when you get back!

Vttraveler, you've given me confidence about public transportation, and lots to think about-thanks so much!

Now if I could only figure out the best way to get from Rome to Paris AND find a place to stay in Paris AND what will I pack AND ...!! (Poor me, huh?!)

Hi Summer

I do think that you will not be sorry to NOT stay in Trastevere on your first trip to Rome. There is perhaps some night life, but from what I saw, it is young night life. Walking in the areas around the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and Spanish Steps will be perfect for you.

There may be some less expensive dining in Trastevere, but it isn't like there is huge concentration; you have to do a little hunting. And if you don't want to use public transportation every time you leave your lodgings, I don't think Trastevere is for you.

But I don't like to be a naysayer. I am staying in Trastevere myself, in just 8 weeks. Mostly because I wanted cheap, and we have been to Rome a good number of times. Also, my artsy DH remembered wandering in a gallery there. He thinks it will be there waiting for him. ;-)

You will love any place you stay. First visit, I think the very center is best. Especially for terrible tourists; you want have to leave your door to see the wonders of Rome: they will be right in front of you!

You can start a new thread for the Paris > Rome transport, but maybe begin by doing a flight search on whichbudget.com

Have fun!