Help with Rome hotels, plus day trip idea
 

I'm planning a 1-week stay in Rome at the end of a 16-day trip.
I'd love opinions on lodging (yes, I've looked on tripadvisor - but appreciate input from this board). So, I have it "narrowed down" to about 10 places, mostly b&b's, all either in or near Piazza Navona area or Trastevere. The frontrunners:
Hotel Villa Fonte
Arco Del Lauro
Arco Dei Tolomei
Hotel Santa Maria
Hotel San Francesco
and a possible splurge, if it seems worth it: Hotel 47.

If you've stayed in one of these, please weigh in with your experience.

We loved the "boutique" places we stayed in Spain, with streamlined, hip decor - doesn't seem to be the trend in Italy, but if we can find some place that approximates it within our budget, all the better. Ornate and traditional is great, too, as long as it's not faded and grandmother-y.

Also, I imagine we'll feel like taking one day for a trip out of the city. Anyone have a favorite town that's within 2 hours from Rome - maybe in Umbria? Preferably one where we won't feel like we're part of a throng of pesky daytrippers...

Thanks!

I Ib,

Orvieto is one hr from Rome by train.

See http://gram.eng.uci.edu/~alberto/orvieto/en_seeing.html

((I))

Have you looked at the Daphne Trevi, and their other property in Rome (which name I forget)? Neither was available when we were in town, but they look more trendy, as you describe above. They even provide their guests with cell phones! The prices are very good, and I think they require a minimum of a 4-night stay.

lbelgray,
Spoleto is less than one and a half hours from Rome.

Here's the URL for the 2 Daphne properties in Rome:
http://www.daphne-rome.com/D2/home.htm

Hi Maureen B,
Yes - checked out the Daphne properties. They weren't right where I wanted to stay, but they looked so nice that I checked for availability. Booked! Thanks for the suggestion - just might keep on them to see if something comes up.

Henry and Ira, Spoleto and Orvieto look great.
And very do-able from Rome.
Thank you.

I have not been there in 2 years, but the Hotel Romae near Termini was very reasonable and a good place to stay. The staff was very cooperative and spoke English. Best of all ther is Il Bistro across the street. It was a great restaurant! My nephew went crazy over the food. The hotel is not 4 star, but adequate, quiet and clean... and reasonable in terms o cost. You can walk to the subway from there and get most anywhere you need to. You can certainly catch the train to Orvietto from there. BTW try the Orvietto classico. Suposedly the vines for that wine go back to the times of the Etruscans.

Let me know if you stay there.

Bon viaggio!

I would definitley look into apartment rentals. Try sleepinitaly.com

Ostia Antica is also a v pleasant t and short rip from Rome. Take Metro line B to Piramide and then get the local train going to Lido Ostia getting off at Ostia Antica. You can spend hours wandering in the ruins of the old Roman city which was once home to 100,000 or 5000,000 inhabitants (dpending on which guide book you read!).
Mairead