Call me obsessive compulsive but I have 2 hotel reservations for Rome: one a hotel by the Colosseum (Hotel Paba), and one close to the Spanish Steps (Hotel Suisse).

I've never been (can you tell?) so I'm not sure which location is better. As we are traveling with our toddler, I want a hotel that's close to everything so that if we get a major meltdown in the middle of the day we can go home and have a nap--so close and covenient is what we're looking for (of course, clean and safe). I like both hotel (great reviews, good prices) so its just a matter of which location is better.

We'll be there late April-early May.

Any thoughts on these locations are highly appreciated. Thanks!

PS Happy New Year!

Personally I'd rather be by the Spanish Steps. The Colosseum area is busier, more crowded, with much more car traffic. You'll probably spend one day visiting the Colosseum and Forum, but that's it. The Spanish Steps are in the heart of the shopping areas ... if window shopping is your thing!

Spanish Steps!

That's an easy one. The Spanish Steps.

Have fun.

Larry J

This is an easy one..Spanish Steps

Of the two, the Spanish Steps. Personally I'd prefer the Pantheon or Piazza Navonna area.

Spanish steps. But I'd prefer Campo di Fiori. But you'll be fine at Spanish Steps.

Spanish Steps is a better location to spend few days.
Climb up the stairs of Piazza di Spagna to Trinita dei Monti and turn to the left , walk up the steep hill to the the Pincio for a gorgeous view of Rome.
The famous Villa Borghese is located there also.
I took my kids when they were young to play in this famous garden many times when I went back home to visit my parents.

Yet another vote for the Spanish Steps.

April - May is a great time to visit.

Have a great trip and a great New Year.

Spanish Steps--
Don't even bother with the colosseum; it's a waste of time. Just walk past it; don't stand in line to go in.

Pay no attention to the previois, idiotic, ppost.

Oh, you know, previous . . .

When in Rome, I always stay at the Suisse which is more like someone's home than a hotel. I love the neighbourhood, and I'm definately not into shopping. There's a lot of traffic noise around the Coloseum, but it's well worth a visit.

Hi

I think the Spanish Steps area might be better. Check out my interactive Google map of Rome on http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy_map.htm . Here you will see where some of the attractions are located. And here is my trip report with pictures and links http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy.htm . Have a great trip

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

Spanish Steps. And don't think you're obsessive compulsive, I usually book two hotels too, before I decide which one to stay in, many people do it

Spanish Steps, it is then! Thank you so much for your responses.

Pausanias, is there a reason you like the Pantheon and Piazza Navona better?

wliwl, why do you like Campo di Fiori?

Anette, I'm glad you like the Suisse. That makes me feel better.

kismetchemera, I'll definitely take my son to the Villa Borghese--anywhere he can run around and expend some energy is a big plus!

Gard, wow! What can I say--great resource. Thanks for sharing.

Tere, thanks for making me feel "normal". I research and research and when I find something I like, I make the reservation, and then I spend the rest of the time second guessing myself. I need to strike a balance between traveling on a budget and making sure we're safe and comfortable (which I think we all strive to have) so I suppose this means a little more work on reaserch.

the spanish steps area is better than the Colosseum. However, i would recommend the pantheon area. a good place to stay there is the del senato

I've heard wonderful things about the Suisse and, if given a choice, I would prefer to stay by the Spanish Steps. That is not to say that you shouldn't see the Colosseum! That area is marvelous -please also visit the Palatine Hill - but, the Spanish Steps area is great for walking at any time of day and is wonderful for window shopping!

K --

I prefer the Pantheon and Navonna area because it's very lively, full of restaurants and cafes, and because it is an older part of the city with narrow and sometimes twisty medieval streets. It is also closer to the areas I like to visit every trip, the Capitol, Palentine and Forum. It's also closer to the Trevi fountain and, in the other direction, the ghetto, which has some of my favorite restaurants.

At the Spanish Steps you are closer to the Borghese Gallery and you are in the middle of Rome's most exclusive shopping. We're not shoppers.

Anyway, I'd suggest you look at a map of Rome and decide which areas interest you the most. Don't worry -- the Steps is a fine area. We stayed there for several trips before relocating to the Pantheon area.

Spanish Steps!