Hotel Panda or Hotel Julia in Rome
 

I am deciding between Hotel Panda and Hotel Julia for a 2 night stay in Rome in September, they both seem to get good feedback.
Any recent experiences with either choice?
They are priced similarly and seem to be close to each other.
I am hoping to be walking distance to the Spanish Steps, restaurants and nightlife.
My priorities are someplace clean and safe, Im not expecting anything fancy.
Thanks!

I've stayed at the Panda a few times, but not recently. Its on via della Croce, just off Piazza Spagna. Ask for a room in the twenties for larger size. Some are too small to turn around in.

Hi J,

>My priorities are someplace clean and safe, Im not expecting anything fancy.<

We considered the Julia, but stayed at http://www.hotelmaikol.com/.
It is about 1 blk from the Vittorio Emanuele metro stop and not far from the train station.
The neighborhood is quite pleasant, safe and 4 stops from the Spanish Steps.
There are nice restaurants within a few blocks.

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

A very good hotel very close to the Spanish Steps is the Hotel Modigliani.

It has gotten very good reviews from two highly esteemed Fodorites. I have walked by it a number of times whilst in Rome.

If you have money to burn and want to stay near the Spanish Steps, check out the de Russie. This is probably the best hotel in Rome. The garden is gorgeous and faces the Pincio.

P_P, who likes to get all boozed up at the Hassler

I would not use Hotel Panda. Very upset with them. I contacted them to make a reservation and when the room was finally confirmed I was not able to travel due to personal reasons. Even though the confirmation and the unfortunate cancelation was done within hours, they claimed that they had a 3 day cancellation policy which they knew I could not meet as I was making the reservation for the next day. They have a complete lack of sense of customer service and basically gave a hoot when I tried to beg that no charges were made and gave them my word that I would eventually travel to Rome and stay in their hotel. If you want to take a chance with them considering their lack of customer attention, go right ahead but there are plenty of hotels in Rome that will take care of you better.