roadlesstraveled

have a great time mebe. I was a SAHM for ten years and time alone was a real treat. Rome is a great walking city and the Hotel Teatropace is the perfect location for walking. When I was in Rome, I was able to walk everywhere from this location.

mebe

I am writing this while my boys cry and scream at me for taking away my cars keys; no naps, needing to be held, and there is always big sister to kick or push. It's been raining here for days (California) and we are all going a little nutty.

I'm looking forward to Rome

Thanks for all your good thoughts.

mebe

I should mention I have a 3.5 year old girl and twin boys, 15 months.

Yes, I need a vacation.

SusanSDG

Yes, you need a vacation! And no dishes for a week will soothe any "isolated" feelings at a table for one.
I've done both, and would definitely go for the hotel-maid service!-if I had 3 toddlers at home. Get room service, sleep in, take naps, talk to strangers, eat lots of gelato!

gruezi

mebe -

I love that you are taking time for yourself - sounds like you have your hands really full.

I am laughing as I say that by about day 5 you will not believe how much you miss those little darlings and about an hour after you get home you will wonder why you rushed back so fast

Enjoy every minute and keep taking time for yourself - even a weekend away is rejuvenating.

gruezi

kgvron

I also stayed in an apartment in the area that you mentioned and it was wonderful because you are so close to "tourist" areas which is fine with me. I travel a great deal and also am a male so I may not have true empathy for your situation.

Funny .. I think hotels are the lonliest places around.

My suggestion? Fine a restaurant that you like that is close by .. go early or very late when they are not busy and have a meal by yourself. And do that again so they will know you .. now you will have a "dining room" where you can go and feel comfortable and safe .. maybe, even, get to know the staff.

On my last trip to New Zealand I became good friends with the chef at the local eatery and she took me to many parties .. showed me around and it is one of my fondest memories of that trip.

Also, take books to read so you can really enjoy your alone time away from everyone.

mebe

I was settled on staying at a hotel, booked it weeks ago -- and now I'm reconsidering that decision.
(I think I'm more relaxed and feeling a bit more confident about traveling on my own.)

I found a apartment that I really like, but it is 150E more than the hotel.

Originally I wanted an apartment because I wanted to save money. This apartment doesn't accomplish that -- BUT -- I could make most of my own meals, and that would save money, right?
Here are my choices:

Hotel Teatropace33, single room 850E for the week
http://www.teatropace33.com/

(they don't have a picture of the single room, but they do have a virtual tour)

http://www.domusintl.com/new_front_end/apartments_f.htm

1000E for the week, not including electricity
(the email said they are re-structuring the apartment and adding air conditioning and internet access, not sure that matters to me.)

So, if you have a moment, could you take a peak at my options? Does it make sense to spend more?

Thanks!

WillTravel

It sounds like you would like to be in an apartment, in which case it could be a good choice. From that site, which of the apartments have you tentatively selected? I'm taken to a listing of all of them.

wliwl

It's hard to tell from the link you posted which apt you are looking at. Did it have any reviews on Slowtrav?

For me air conditioning is a must in Rome. Not only is Rome really hot -- but it's really LOUD too. LOL

I don't know, you might be over thinking it. I'd stay at the hotel. (And who wants to COOK in Rome?! You can always grab take-out food and eat in your room if you really want to. Does the hotel a room fridge?)

mebe

Sorry about that!

It's called Piazza di Montevecchio

It's the second one, with the red sofas.

mebe

wlilw -- the hotel does not have a fridge, at least it doesn't mention it. It does have a mini-bar...I could always email and ask.

You might be right about overthinking it. Everyone kept telling me to read "Eat, Pray, Love" and she rents an apartment in Rome, and I guess I was inspired - lol!

We'll see. I'm not sure I'll want to cook, but I would like the option to not eat out.

emily71

I try to stay in apartments in London and I'm sure that I usually pay a little more than a budget hotel. I usually don't cook a lot in the (tiny) kitchens, but it's nice to buy some prepared food or pasta and heat it in the microwave. I'm one of those people who don't like eating out every day and find it just as pleasant to eat while watching the telly.

That said, it sounds like you are unsure and a hotel is a safe bet because there's always someone around to help you.

Try not to overthink. The hotel sounds like a good choice and it is nice to have a concierge in case of problems. The important thing is that you'll be in Rome.

dawnnoelm

mebe - I think I might do the hotel... depending on the area. I might get nervous staying alone in Rome - just me... I would feel "safer" in a hotel (I realize that might not be the case) and I might want to sit in the lobby, have a glass of wine, read et as was suggested...you are going to have plenty of alone time - you will be there a week.

Let us know how it goes - I am way in awe of you doing this!

LAwoman

I read "Eat, Pray, Love" and the author is quite the overthinker, so don't feel bad.

She was in Rome for around 3 months so an apt made more sense for her.

Both your options (apt & hotel) look good to me...

SusanP

I go to Rome solo and love staying in apartment, but I don't cook much. One thing to consider...if budget is really a consideration and you think you can spend more for the apartment because you'll cook a lot...

The first time I stayed in an apartment in Rome, it was just off Campo de' Fiori, and I thought, great, I'll get stuff at the market and cook some meals myself. However, after I got there, it dawned on me that buying fresh local food at the market and taking it back to the apartment to cook dinner loses a lot of its appeal when you're alone! So much more fun to go out to a restaurant, where you can enjoy the ambiance, other people, other things to see. I never cooked dinner in my apartment, and haven't on any subsequent trip, either. Just something to think about.

mebe

LAwoman -- DH thinks the author and I are kindred spirits, not sure if that is a compliment I haven't finished the book yet.

SusanP -- I don't think I will cook, but I wouldn't mind heating up some pasta or at least having a fridge for cheese and yogurt.

I am overthinking.

travelbunny

..I have 3 boys- youngest in teens now so been there done that. Remember a vacation is cheaper than a psychiatrist! re apt vs hotel- I have done both. Firstly, I have rented apts only when I am going to be away for at least a week. If traveling by myself, I just cant see the advantage for anything less than this time. If you do rent a hotel and after arrival dont like it, it is usually easy to find something else if the first was something akin to The Bates Motel. This cant be said for an apt as almost all places want 50% of total stay paid in advance (non-refundable) and many up to 100%. Have you ever traveled by yourself before? For a first time, I think I would be swayed toward a hotel. Have I ever been upset when I arrived at a hotel or an apt? Sure, but I could move with the first. Re apts- I have been very lucky as I travel quite a bit on business and often if I havent been there, someone at work has. This really helps with fitting a neighborhood to my personality. What was the worst thing that ever happened when renting an apt?- the chain on the door had been ripped off the hinges. This didnt inspire confidence as this gorgeous apt was the only one on the floor. Despite the fact that I complained to the owner, it wasnt fixed during my stay. I must admit that I wedged a chair under the door handle and kept my cell by the bed.

SeaUrchin

I would definitely take the apartment, it looks so light and beautiful with the big windows! I wish I were in that apartment right now.

I feel like apartments are safer, the buildings are people's residences and they lock out the public.

Look how much space you have and then think of a single room where you will probably have half the space if that. I like to keep milk and yogurt on hand for quick snacks and since the apartment is so well situated you can pop back in for a quick rest or to change your shoes, pick up a sweater, etc.

I have never never been afraid by myself in an apartment in Rome.

LunaBella

Hi mebe - Based on my experience in Paris (I've been to Rome four times but have neve been fortunate enough to stay in a hotel there), here's what I think: I've been to Paris eight times; seven times I've stayed in a hotel with various friends, with my husband, with friends and husband, etc. and one time I stayed in an apartment, by myself. The apartment trip is the highlight of all Paris trips. That city was mine for a full week! It didn't hurt that the apartment was amazing (two sets of French doors that looked out onto a listed courtyard, which opened through a huge at-least-a-couple-hundred-years-old big wooden door onto the rue Mouffetard, and that it snowed almost every day (February '06). The experience was amazing. It changed my life. I would wake up every morning, throw on jeans and run to the boulangerie and get pain au chocolat (and maybe more snacks for later!), come home, turn on classical music, make coffee in my adorable French kitchen, watch the lovely snow fall out the lovely windows onto the lovely pointy French trees, try to map out where I wanted to go that day all the while realizing that I was already in the best place in Paris (which in my mind automatically puts it in the running for best place in the world...) And I had to been to Paris so many times by then that I didn't have that huge urge to check anything off a list. It was just me and whatever I wanted to do.

Anyway I obviously vote for the apartment. One thing to note though, which I didn't even think about until the plane ride home: I never took the contact information for the rental out of the room! Imagine if I would have run out one morning to the boulangerie (my door locked by itself) and forgot the key! With the owner's information left in my room! Now whenever I rent a place in Europe, the first thing I do is program the contact number(s) into my cell phone, write it/them on scraps of paper and put them everywhere, just in case.

Either way whatever you decide, I hope you have a marvelous trip. Roma e bellissima!

suze

I voted on this before (I like hotels) but partly my answer depends on the length of the trip.

If I had the luxury to stay somewhere for a month, I'd definitely get an apartment and get set up "like a local".

But for a one week trip, where relaxing is at least part of the goal, I like the ammenities of a hotel (pre-trip arrangements are easier, you DO have someone to help you if you lose your key -lol-, someone to get a taxi to the airport for you, arrange a wake-up call, recommend a restaurant, etc.)