My husband and I are going to Rome for 3 nights in September before a 12 day cruise. I'm trying to find a nice hotel that is in a good location for a reasonable price ($200/night).

Has anyone stayed at the Hotel Romano (Largo Corrado Ricci 32)? It's very close to the Forum and Coliseum and had a guest review rating of 8.3 of 10 on venere.com (which is considerably higher than most comparably priced hotels).

If not there, any other recommendations?

Thanks,
Shey

I stayed there last May in a Single room for 2 weeks.

My only complaint is the TV gets bad reception on a few channels .

12 of the 16 are front facing and have a very nice view.
On my 1st night HBO's Rome was on TV, it was pretty cool to lean out the window a bit and look at the Roman Forum.

I was on the 1st floor with a front room and there was no street noise to speak of (shutters, soundproof glass, curtains).

Small reception lobby on the ground floor, half-floor elevator meaning it stops between floors so you have to walk down a short half-flight, clean, remodeled, ensuite bathroom, ceiling fans, rooms were very nice no complaints.
I didn't try the AC it was early May.

Breakfast is served by the cafe next door, tables outside or inside if you like.

It's a typical 2* breakfast (coffee, pastry, juice) but what is nice is this cafe/coffeebar opens early (I've eaten at 6am) and you can always purchase more if you like, wide assortment of typical Italian b'fast items.
I believe the only reason that this hotel isn't listed as a 3* is because it has no b'fast room?

The staff was friendly and spoke a minimum of English.

They responded quickly to my emails and I'd book directly thru them ( www.hotelromano.com ) if you were thinking of using venere. Regards, Walter

Thanks, Walter. I'd been leaning towards this hotel for a while and I think I'm going to go ahead and book it now. It's still hard for me to comprehend that a 2* hotel is $200/night and this is considered a good deal, but it's our "dream" vacation so what's a couple hundred here or there?!?

Thanks again,
Shey

My second choice was going to be Hotel Apollo, a bit north of that location. Their double rate is 180€ and might have a bit better services.
http://www.hotel-apollo.romaviva.com/home.htm

I actually booked at Residenza Antica Roma for 170€.
http://www.residenza-anticaroma.com/en_index.html

I know shey but with the USD at ~1.30 it's tough .

Say it was at 1:1 and a double room in peak season, in a very popular city, with good location was $160USD.

That's not too bad, if you figure a Motel 6 in the boondocks next to the Interstate with a Denny's next door if you are lucky is $60 .

That's how I try to think and then sob afterwards when the CC bills come in .

In Nov '99 I threw together a Rome trip.
10 days with a 2* Rome hotel and a couple of nights in a 3* Naples hotel plus airfare & train fare for ~$1000USD.
Regards, Walter

Travelnut: I did really like the Residenza Antica Roma, but they are booked. But the Apollo looks nice - I'll do a little more checking on that one. Thanks!

ParadiseLost: You're right about the price and quality, I shouldn't complain. I am extremely impressed with your vacation planning skills if you had 10 days in Italy for $1000. Just one of our roundtrip plane tickets is that much. With the cruise, airfare, hotels, and all the misc expenses like food and sightseeing, we're planning on about $10,000. We were recently thinking of cancelling simply because it looked like more than we can afford, but if we don't do it now, we never will.

We know there isn't much room to squeeze any of the big expenses, but if you have any tips on what to see and where to eat that are good deals, I'd love to hear them.

Shey

The other one I considered was Hotel Columbia for 168€. Mostly good comments just a couple of older ones about interior noise and older furnishings...
Overall, I think interior soundproofing is evidently lacking in moderately priced hotels, based on comments..

shey
We are staying at Hotel Sonya in May, 07, for 130eur, it is in Rick Steves travel guide and has good reviews on Trip advisor. Seems to be in the same area as Hotel Romano. We booked thru their website. hotelsonya.com

Hi shey;
That 10 day holiday of mine was quickly planned.
I had gone to Greece earlier in the year but after 2 days had to come home due to a family medical emergency (lost airfare and prebooked hotels-vouchers).

I was just trying to show what could be done pre-weak dollar and the 'good ole' Lira days . (Air-$450, Hotel $35 & $60, Single rooms near train stations).

I'm not a big foodie so I just find a restaurant near my hotel and eat there all the time.

But if you stay at the Romano there is one restaurant that was recommended to me by a poster.

Walk straight across the street from the hotel to the right of the Medieval Tower (don't worry ya can't miss it ) and take the 1st right down a narrow street (Via M. dei Monti).

~80m on the left is the Taverna Dei Fori Imperiali.
You can't miss it with the name on the awning and a few tables out front.
The owner speaks excellent English and will tell you the Specials of the day.

Also right across the street from him is a nice neighborhood pizza restaurant.

Someone just posted a Rome website and I looked around and found this photo.
www.stuardtclarkesrome.com/cavour.htm

The photographer is standing on the sidewalk on Via d. Fori Imperiali, behind him (40m) is the entrance to the Roman Forum.
The Romano is that yellow 4-story bldg in the center just to the right alttle (and to the right of that tree).
Regards, Walter

Thanks, Walter. You've been a big help and that site you posted looks like it has a lot of info. I can't wait to dig through it.

This woman's photo & trip report has a few pictures of the Hotel Romano and area around it.
www.pbase.com/andrys/rome1

Small World; We had talked briefly in the hotel's lobby in May '05 and then ran into each other again on the Frommer's messageboard 14 months later .
Regards, Walter

Walter, just got back here and made a text file of your added info (thank you once again) which I will type in soon.

Re small world, I have a vivid memory of you, since you were so happy with the hotel and helpful!

Shey, isn't the Hotel Romano less expensive in September? (All of Italy seems to be, last I looked -- but these things can change so quickly.)

- Andrys

http://www.pbase.com/andrys/italy

shey,
go to inromenow.com for a nice description of restaurants, bars etc with rooftop views. Some are even said to be a place for breakfast - foregoing higher dinner prices.

The site also lists music events for the week, etc.

If you want to do a fun dinner for a little more $ but not off the charts, check out the Forum Hotel, very near the Romano. Their rooftop looks over the forum, which is lit at night. Respectable restaurant and a memorable setting.