Hello

Has anyone stayed at Hotel Aldrovandi recently? Opinions? I'm not sure if we should stay there, or at Hotel de Russie ? We'll be in Rome for 3 nights in August.

Hi

Have you checked the reviews on tripadvisor.com: http://rome-hotels.tripadvisor.com/H...ome_Lazio.html . It seems like the reviews are mixed. Will it be easy to get into town from the hotel? My wife and I stayed near the Termini station when we went there last year and it was very easy to get around town from there. I have posted a trip report with pictures and links on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy.htm

Regards
Gard
Stavanger, Norway

I so love the del Russie, I would definitely recco it. I don't know the Aldrovandi at all, but have to really urge you to consider the del Russie. Such a great location, they have the lovely courtyard, a good spa, great service, it is actually quiet at night (rare for Rome, you can't hear the Vespas!) By far my favorite hotel in Rome.

I've always heard great things about Russie; thanks for the reco. Does anyone know anything about the EXEDRA hotel in Rome?

We considered staying at the Aldrovandi but abstained after reading the reviews on tripadvisor.com. Besides, it is far away from everything. You need a taxi for each way from the hotel.

After intensive research, we landed at the SOFITEL ROMA and loved it. Here is my review of this hotel:
http://rome-hotels.tripadvisor.com/S...ome_Lazio.html

Thanks so much for this information. Is the Russie walking distance to anything?

Russie is by far in a better location than Exedra. In addition, it is quiet and has a courtyard. Exedra is on one of the busiest traffic circles in Rome.

Russie is between the Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps. The closest landmark to Exedra is probably Roma Termini train station.

How about Hotel Forty Seven? Last question, not sure what "area" of Rome would be best to stay in - we're first timers. We would like to be centrally located for dinners and walking around at night ... thanks so much for all your ideas !

I think I can tell you that you do <b>not</b> want to be at the Hotel Forty Seven. I walked along that street when I was in Rome last October, and it has to be one of the most soulless streets in Rome. And I don't think there's a restaurant within miles of it. (OK, I'm exaggerating, but only a little...)

If what you really want is not the most expensive hotel in Rome (which I think the de Russie is...) but something &quot;centrally located for dinners and walking around at night&quot;, then you want something in the historical center of Rome, defined roughly as the area within or just outside the lines connecting the Pantheon, the Campo de Fiori and the Piazza Navona. That is where you will find the widest range of restaurants, the most cafes, and the most people on the street until well into the evening.

Good hotels in that area are the Albergo del Senato (ask for a room with a view of the Pantheon; if you can, take a suite, as some rooms are smallish; it has a lovely rooftop bar); the Grand Hotel de la Minerve (only a block away from the Pantheon, also with a rooftop bar), and the Hotel Ponte Sisto, the newest of these three, just off the Campo de Fiori.

Thankyou Eloise! This information is great -- although price is not an option and we're really looking for the &quot;best&quot;. Would you still recommend those same places?

What is your definition of the &quot;best&quot;? The three are definitely the best in the area that I recommended; I have yet to see a bad review of any of them. You do have to take the larger rooms or suites though; in Italy and particularly in Rome, almost all rooms are small, including some at the so-called &quot;best&quot; hotels. The Del Senato and Ponte Sisto are three-star; the de la Minerve is four-star. The stars have nothing to do with the quality of the service; it depends on the amenities offered. The de la Minerve has a dining room, which the other two do not; that is why it has the fourth star.

If you want Starwood-type best, then the &quot;best&quot; hotels are on the Via Veneto. The Via Veneto might have been the center of &quot;la dolce vita&quot; in the 50s and 60s, but it's now a rather characterless boulevard with some overpriced cafes, restaurants and stores. (The best stores and designer boutiques are at the foot of the Spanish Steps, on Via Condotti and the adjoining streets.) And almost nothing worth seeing is within walking distance of the Via Veneto.

Some of the former &quot;best&quot;, like the Hassler Villa Medici at the top of the Spanish Steps have had some rather bad reviews; they're getting old and, some people say, a little rundown.

My wife and I just returned from Rome and enjoyed our stay at Hotel Portoghesi. It is located just north of Piazza Navona, which made it ideal walking distance to pretty much everything, including lots of restaurants. It's a *** hotel so it might be more basic than what you are looking for (bathroom is on the small side) but was very clean, professional, and as I said, ideally situated.

Hi,
I would suggest Hotel Nazionale. It is a four star hotel. http://www.nazionaleroma.it/english/rome_rooms.html

We stayed there in early December. The rooms were comfortable and well appointed--marble bathrooms, tv, fridge. Room rate includes breakfast. The staff are wonderful and very accommodating. You can't beat the location either...about 1/2 block from Trevi Fountain, with lots of shopping, restaurants. We walked from there to just about everywhere and it wasn't far. I will stay there on my next trip to Rome. It was a little pricey, but well worth it. I would highly suggest it. The best part was the one night it rained, we left the window open. We were close to a church and could hear the choir singing. It was amazing.

If you are thinking along the lines of the Hotel de Russie, you will not be happy at the Sofitel or the Nazionale, or any hotel that is less than a 5-star hotel. The St. Regis is in the same class, and maybe the Hotel Eden. The Hilton Cavalieri gets great reviews, but it is really away from the city center. The Aldrovandi is not a bad choice. It's a beautiful hotel.

Hotel de Russie is in a fabulous location on the Via Babuino, just steps from the Piazza del Popolo, a short walk to the Spanish Steps and a little farther to the Trevi Fountain and the Piazza Navona. Couldn't be better.

Ariela if price is not an issue, then I would go with the del Russie over the Senato and I think the others may be 4 stars, but do check their websites, as I don't know those hotels. I personally would go with the Popolo Suite (would love to try it myself but at US$3,000 a night I can't quite bring myself to do it....) It has a terrace and a Popolo Piazza view plus I would imagine other good city views. If that is too pricey, their junior suites are extremely nice, as are their exectuive doubles. Do watch some of their other rooms, which can be on the small side, IMO you need at least 35 square meters to really be comfortable at their rates you may as well be comfortable....

The del Russie is walkable to Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and the shopping areas around the Spanish Steps. Really it is walkable to most things you would want, or a very short cab ride. I have even walked to the Vatican from there in the winter and spring, not sure I would do it on a hot summer day.

I beleive that the Eden has had a redo since it was taken over by Meridien, so you might look at that, but do look at tripadvisor.com for reviews and that hotel has had some very uneven ones. Nice location, very good restaurant if you don't stay there. go to http://www.hotel-eden.it/index_e.html

Given that Le Meridien is now owned by Starwood, presumably the Eden would now be a Starwood hotel with associated benefits, if that matters.

Sorry WillTravel you are right, the Eden is part of Starwood. I believe it was Meridien which did the renovation prior to the takeover by Starwood, however.

Hotel Inghilterra is a fabulous &quot;boutique&quot; hotel in a great location within walking distance of everything (including the shops!).

Can anyone recommend a decent hotel in a good location that isn't as pricey as some of these that have been mentioned? We'll be there in August, when I think the rates may be a little lower than other times. Would like to spend $150 or less.

The room we had at Hotel Portoghesi was 190 Euro per night which I think was pretty reasonable. They also have a slightly bigger room with a bigger bathroom at 220 Euros/night. It might be tricky to find a a good hotel for US$150 (about 120 Euros) per night that is in a good walking location to the major Rome sights.