vicki2201

We'll be in London with my in-laws (not very mobile--need elevator) and 2 kids ages 6 and 7. What is a reasonable central hotel in London, and again in Rome?

We will be only 2 nights in London and 5 nights in Rome.

Thanks for any recommendations you can suggest!

Vicki

Weadles

What is your budget? Thanks!

vicki2201

Perhaps around 160 to 190 Euro per room for Rome. We were there in November and sayed at Portoghesi. Loved the location but the rooms were a bit small. Since it was low season, we got the rooms for 160each. In fact, Hotel dei Senado offered us also that rate but we had already booked at Portoghesi. I want something similar, yet different (I like trying out new hotels!)

Weadles

And when are you going?

Grinisa

Did you have the kids with you at the Portoghesi? That is a great rate for a quad room if you did. I am assuming you want a room for your inlaws and a quad room for your family. If you are going between April and October, it will be extremely difficult to find a quad room in a well located hotel under 200 Euro in Rome. The Santa Chiara has a family room that may be close to your budget and it is around the corner from the Del Senato.

Fodorite018

I don't know what the current rate is, but we had a quad room at the Hotel Miami in Rome for our family of 4. Our kids were 5 and 8 yrs old on that trip and this hotel/room suited us perfectly. Location was good as we were able to walk everywhere. Our room had two twin beds and then a queen in a separate area. No real door that separated them, but a wall minus the door. Also had a decent size table and a fridge which sure helped when the kids wanted a snack. The staff were very friendly with the kids and took to teaching them a bit of Italian We would definitely stay there again.

5alive

That does look like a good location, mms. It appears to be 250e a night high season for the quad.

That does not seem unreasonable though. I checked one hotel with quad we found for my cousin's family the Alimandi and it was 160e low to 220e high and it is over by the Vatican, not as good a location.

pisceantraveler

I can't attest to how nice it is since I've read some mixed reviews and we are traveling to Rome later this month, but I found rooms at the Westin Rome Excelsior under a 30% off promotion for E211/night. The offer was to expire on 3/9 and needed payment up front for stays through the end of August. They also have a promotion still running for families that need more than a single room, but there also might be other promotions there and other hotels that may be helpful. Just thought I'd share...

vicki2201

Grinisa, we didn't have the kids with us at the Portoghesi last November. That was an adult trip. And the Portoghesi's rooms wouldn't be big enough for four of us. We are going to be there from May 7 to 11. Do you know a hotel around the corner or beside the Westin Excelsior? We have friends who'll be in that hotel. I prefer a smaller B&B type hotel rather than a chain. Thanks again all!

tod

Vicki - Whatever you do don't fall for an 'El Cheapo'/B&B hotel which turns out to be a converted old terrace house with rooms partioned with cardboardlike walls!
Boy have we seen the inside of those miserable places - they look all nice from the outside (some even posh) but when you are given your room number and finally locate it down a rabbits warren of corridors..............Help! 'wheres the fire escape' comes to mind!

For the same money you can get clean modern interleading (if necessary) rooms at the Ibis Hotel in Cardington street, right next to Euston station. Very convenient to be so near to the tube, buses and heaps of eating places including the much mentioned North Sea Fish & Chips restaurant & take-out just across the way in Leigh street. Maybe 10 minute walk.
Take a look on your map of London to see what I mean.
There are also a laundromat, a supermarket and pubs between Euston and Russell Square tubes in Marchmont street.

petunia0409

You could try Albergo Sole. They are centrally located and have good prices (campo area). Be sure to hit the cat sanctuary if your kids like cats.

Depending on what type of travelers you are, I would recommend Testaccio with kids. There is a great park out front and it is a very family friendly neighborhood. You can do the local thing - and great restaurants- the only drawbrack is buses for the center (5-10mins). We can walk it with our daughter in the stroller.

vicki2201

Very late report back--but we ended up staying in an apartment suite above the Teichner Bar in Piazza San Lorenzo. I think they call themselves Teichner Suites, but I've googled and have seen them as Residenza Lucina. There are only 3 suites above the bar, and only accessible by going up 19 steps--so not for older folk. It was fine for us. One big suite with a nice queen bed in an elevated part of the room, and a sofa bed and a roll away in the living area that were perfect for my 7 and 8 year old girls. The bathroom seemed spacious and new as far Rome accommodations go. It cost us 150 euro. I think you could even ask for 140.

The best thing about this place is the LOCATION!! (aside from the free wifi) It's around the corner from the Spanish steps on one side of the piazza, and a couple of blocks away from the Pantheon and the famous ice cream shops on the other side. The cafe/bar is very popular and it gets filled up the whole day. It's nice to start the morning with breakfast which comes with the room--but it's continental style--just a superb cup of coffee (or hot chocolate or cold milk for the kids) and a croissant. We got so used to it that my daughter would order for us-- "one latte, one espresso, 2 hot chocolates, a sugar donut, a croissant, a pan de chocolat and an apple strudel" That's what we settled on every single morning. We're creatures of habit.

Fabulous pizza is one block away. Very famous with the locals. It was nice to come back to the apartment midday, and sit in the cafe while the kids safely ran around the piazza. I could easily keep my eyes on them. In the same square is also a church, the carabinieri main office (I felt so safe), and a hall which opened only on weekends and housed a summer bazaar of sorts. People selling truffles, handmade jewelry, name brand italian shoes for half the price.. We truly enjoyed the location.

There are no cooking facilities, just a small fridge to stash some bottled drinks. I had francesco on my mobile phone and I would constantly text him for adapter, questions about the water heater in the bathroom (there was a special switch for it), extra towels, etc. He was very responsive. Also, I think they would do better with upgrading the sofa bed which is a bit too soft, and also the rolling bed. It didn't matter much with my small kids, but I wouldn't have been comfortable on their beds. Our queen bed was nice and firm though.

I would recommend this place if you like space. Portoghesi was nice but the rooms tiny. I would do Teichner suites again for the space, the bar downstairs, the piazza, but mostly for the great location!