Apologies for another hotel question. I have searched the boards and am still confused. We're planning on being in Rome in early July. We're in our early 60s, love to walk . History and architecture are 2 of my passions. We want to be in the centro storico. It would be nice to end our trip on a high note and are looking for a hotel with ambience and good air-conditioning. We'd like to be near the Piazza Navonna or Pantheon areas in order to enjoy the restaurants and people watching at night. We prefer not to go much over the $300 price range. Many thanks for your help.

I really loved the Hotel Raphael, but thought it had edged out of your price range. The standard room there in season is now 390 euro. But I just looked at their website (www.summithotels.com) and found that you can book online for July (I entered July dates at random) and found a standard room for 240 euro or a superior room for 320 euro -- quite a deal. This is especially good as an internet deal, because you can cancel up to the date of arrival (or close to it -- unlike many internet specials). We had standard rooms and thought they were great -- not huge, but beautifully appointed and furnished and very nice marble baths. We loved the ambiance of the hotel. And when our friends flight was aborted in overnight in Boston making them a day late, the hotel didn't charge them for that night, but made their room available upon their arrival early the next morning. It's a short half block off Piazza Navonna.

The Del Senato is perfect. Beautiful hotel right on Piazza della Rotunda. Most rooms have views of the Pantheon. Rooms are about 250 Euro on up. You can walk to just about anywhere from there and the airconditioning is great.

We stayed at the Santa Chiara and couldn't hasve been happier.

Directly behind the Pantheon. Walk out the door of the hotel and walk around back in either direction and you're at the Pantheon in 30 seconds.

Patrick and others thank you so much for your thoughts. Patrick, many thank yous. I booked the Hotel Raphael and am thrilled with this hotel and its location. This is the greatest website!

You're welcome. I hate to bring it up now, but failed to mention breakfast. Breakfast is not included at Raphael and is quite expensive. We took a look and chose not to eat breakfast there, but if they happen to be serving it on the roof it might be worth it. No matter, we prefer really great coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice, and maybe pastry right at Piazza Navonna anyway, out in the open.