andrea

Help! I'm going crazy trying to pick a hotel for a December trip to Rome, and I know I'll have to decide soon. I had planned on staying around the Piazza Navona /Pantheon /Campo d'Fiori areas, but I found a teriffic rate for the 5* Bernini Bristol, which is at the start of the Via Veneto on Piazza Barberini, and I'm thinking about staying there instead. I don't know much about the Via Veneto area, other than it's near great shopping and is quite fashionable, and I haven't found much on this hotel by doing a search, so I'd love advice from anyone who's stayed here or who's stayed in the Via Veneto/Piazza Barberini area. I definitely want to be within walking distance to as much of old Rome as possible, and I'm having a hard time telling from maps how central this location would be to, say, Piazza Navona, for example. <BR> <BR>Alternitavely, would you recommend hotels like Teatro di Pompeo, Due Torri, Raphael, Cesari, or Santa Chiara over the Bernini? Would these areas be less commercial, more characteristic of old Rome than the Via Veneto? I'm more of a mom and pop trattoria than a fancy restaurant kind of gal, so maybe the chi-chi area isn't for me (although I love a getting to stay in luxury hotel for a relative steal!) <BR> <BR>Thanks for your opinions! <BR> <BR>

RichardAB

I recommend staying around the Piazza Navona. The area is most central and has lots to see and do. <BR> <BR>The Bernini is a 5* expensive hotel and i am sure that it would be very nice. For a lower rate i recommend the Hotel Due Torri which is centrally located on a quiet street near the Piazza Navona. The Due Torri is a 3* hotel so I expect that it is not as glamourous as the Bernini. What you can expect from the Due torri is a very friendly helpful staff, good location and modern baths. The hotel is very cozy and old so it has the character of old Rome and a good Italian atmosphere. OH! I bet the rates will be substantially lower than at the Bernini Bristol, thus saving you more money for SHOPPING and EATING! <BR> <BR>Use the search function to find out what other Fodorites have said about it. I have never heard a bad word about the Due Torri in this forum. <BR> <BR>You can see my pics of the Due Torri and more info about Rome on my websight. The sight isn't completely finished but the Rome section is. <BR> <BR>http://home.earthlink.net/~richardab/ <BR> <BR>Follow the path; <BR> <BR>Enter&gt;Fly&gt;Europe&gt;Rome <BR> <BR>Let me know what you think. <BR>

Sam Davenport

The Santa Chiara is perfectly located: directly behind the Pantheon, and just off Piazza Minerva. A double was about $140, as of last May. The staff are helpful, and the hotel is quiet.

Carol

Dear Andrea, <BR> <BR>My choice would be the Santa Chiara which has a lovely location in the midst of Old Rome and has lots of charm. On the other hand, the Bernini Bristol is certainly within easy walking distance of all the sights in Navona/Trevi/Pantheon area, although it's a big hotel in a much more commercial area than say, the Santa Chiara.

Paulo

Our preferred location to stay in Rome is Campo de' Fiori and the Teatro di Pompeo. But this charming hotel is very small and rooms go very fast (twice we had to settle elsewhere because it was booked out 6 months before our trips. Though I never stayed there and never saw their rooms, I wouldn't mind staying at the Santa Chiara ... excellent reviews and also a very good location. The Via Veneto area would be my last choice (among the ones you're offering ... but it would probably be my wife's first <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

richard j vicek

Good evening, Andrea I would pick the <BR>Bernini if you are getting such a good <BR>deal. The Bernini Bristol is in the <BR>Pza Barberini which is the south end of <BR>the Via Veneto, there many shops and <BR>ristorantes in this area. Walking two <BR>blocks west to the via Macelli another <BR>two blocks and you are at the bottom <BR>of the Spanish Steps and the Corso/ <BR>Condotti area of shops and ristorantes. <BR>You are just over five mins walk to the <BR>Fountain of Trevi, another 5 to 10 mins <BR>to the Rotunda and another 5 to the <BR>Pza Navona. Really it is not in too <BR>bad a location...Richard of La Grange <BR>Park, IL...

Dick

Andrea. Spent a week at the Pantheon Hotel, right at the Pntheon. Good hotel and very conveniently located. It seems to be somewhat centrally located, however Rome is a VERY EASY city in which to walk. A half an hour walk from the Pantheon will take you to most of the sights. Good luck and enjoy! Italy, and especially Rome, is my most favorite area of Europe.

Robyn

Andrea: I would agree with those voting for the Bernini, especially if you have secured a good rate! The dollar is srong right now, and it makes many things seem reasonable! We stayed at the Hotel Ambasciatori a few weeks ago, and loved being on the Via Veneto- it takes about 10 minutes to walk to the Spanish Steps, 5 minutes to the Trevi Fountain, really everything is very close. I enjoyed being a little off the beaten track; the Piazza Navona and other areas are really full of tourists. Have fun!

Renee

We were in Rome this past June, and stayed in the area near the Bernini. It's a little quieter I think, around there at night, and it's still close to walk to everything. <BR> <BR>If you want the real old time Rome, then go with your other choice, but let's face it-all of Rome is old, so it's not like staying at the Bernini means you'll be in a modern looking area! <BR>Have fun!

Len

Dick, can you elaborate on The Pantheon Hotel, I am staying there in May. Is it worth the money?<BR><BR>Thanks