Hotels in Rome - a request for help:)
 

If you can believe it we're changing our December focus from Paris to Italy! I've always wanted to return someday, but have been tentative given what one hears about how chaotic travel there can be. Then I remembered *hey* - you're the one always going off to Skopje - you can handle this:) <BR>The forum has already been very helpful on Florence and Siena. But hubby wants to spend a couple of days in Rome. We're looking at hotels near The Vatican. Here are a few I found on the web. Any opinions? <BR>Hotel Rinascimento <BR>Hotel Spring House <BR>Hotel Atlante Garden <BR>Hotel Prati

Goodness, Sally, I hate to see your posting go beggin for replies. I don't know these hotel or others near Vatican but have definite recommendation for one near Pza. Barberini. Let me know if you are interested. You CAN handle this! and I am glad you are going to Italy. Find restaurant La Pollarola just north of Campo dei Fiori in Pza Biscione and tell Bruno hello for us.

Thanks Pam! <BR>Sure-recommend away... I'm leaning towards Hotel Rinascimento, which seems to be near the restaurant you recommended.

Do you stand first in the Vatican Museum entry queue? :-) <BR> <BR>Don't know any of the listed properties (a mixed bag of 2, 3 and 4-star), Sarah. Considering only location, I would also be leaning towards the Rinascimento. If I can avoid it, I would prefer not staying in the Vatican. The Rinascimento, off Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Piazza della Chiesa Nuova and very close to Campo de' Fiori is undoubtely better located than the other 3. As you may know, the 3-star Spring House is very close to the Vatican Museums entrance door. <BR> <BR>Now, you're going in low season. More often than not, more expensive hotels have substantial discounts on their normal rates. The discounts in lower class hotels are much lower and you may eventually be able to find a 3- or 4-star at rates just a shade (Lit 50,000) over those of the 2-star Rinascimento. <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

Thanks for your helpful post Paulo. <BR>The reason we were thinking of staying near the Vatican is because we have only 2 days and that is where we want to focus our visit. Can you recommend a neighborhood that would have good access to the Vatican -- as well as any 3 or 4 star hotels? I *really* appreciate your help:)

Our preferred area to stay in Rome is Campo de' Fiori. In principle (I've never been to Rome in December and have no idea about what kind of weather to expect), one may stroll (though long at times) to most sites, including Trastevere for dinner. For instance, the stroll to the Vatican Museums entrance door should read a shade over a mile. If you don't want to walk, there are plenty of buses on Corso Vittorio Emmanuele. <BR> <BR>IMO, if you have an early start, a full day for the Vatican except gardens (Museums, Basilica and Dome) should be enough and you may use the 2nd day elsewhere, possibly piazza Navona and environs (San Luigi dei Francesi and Sant'Andrea della Valle), the Pantheon and environs (Gesù church, Palazzo Doria Pamphili and Sant'Ignazio di Loyola) and Piazza di Spagna towards Piazza del Popolo. As an alternative, one other area I like to stroll in the afternoon is the Bocca della Verità and Trastevere (IMO, if you have only 2 days in Rome, at least an afternoon or morning should be reserved just to stroll around). <BR> <BR>Now, if the 8th of December (big feast in the Piazza) is one of the days you're staying in Rome things may complicate, and one day shouldn't be enough. <BR> <BR>Our preferred 3-star in Rome is the Teatro di Pompeo (tel. +39 06/68300170; fax +39 06/68805531). This is a very intimate (only 13 rooms) and refined property which is usually booked up. If they have room and the price's right for you you'd be satisfied for sure. On other occasions in the area, we stayed at the more budget 2-stars Albergo Campo de' Fiori and Albergo del Sole. Very nice and clean (though we had a room on top of the Campo de' Fiori and there's no lift :-) but no terms of comparison with the Teatro di Pompeo. Once the Rinascimento is in the same general area (a little bit closer to the Vatican), if nobody shows up relating bad experiences IMO it could be maintained as an option. <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

Obrigada Paulo! <BR>I found one site for the hotel you mention: http://www.romeguide.it/teatrodipompeo/hotel.html It looks nice. <BR>Here's the site for HOTEL RINASCIMENTO: http://www.venere.it/roma/rinascimento/