hsv - None of Rome's "grandest" hotels are in a location that suits me. I wish someone with lots of taste and bundles of cash would buy the Hassler and do it right. Their location IS the best.

For a special occasion and if you really want "grand," you can't really go wrong with the Grand or the Excelsior. I find the service and style to be better at the Grand. Your just a very short (5 Euro) cab ride to anywhere in the city-center.

What's wrong with the Intercontinental, a few doors down from the Hassler?

We stayed there two years ago, had an unbelieveable room on the 7th floor overlooking Rome. The terrace was a good 25 feet wide.

I agree, however, that there is no great hotel in a great location. Only major city in Europe I can say that about.

Coachboy

hsv,

I just spent 5 nights at the Westin Excelsior in Rome for my honeymoon. The Excelsior is about 7 minutes walking distance from the St. Regis Grand. (Keep in mind that I walk fast because I grew up on the East Coast, but I was carrying a 22" wheeled carry-on which slowed me down a little.) But that shouldn't matter if you are planning on taking cabs. If you plan on walking a lot, I think that the Excelsior has a better location.

I stayed at the Excelsior on points and stayed in a standard room. I thought the Excelsior was quite nice and our deep red marble tiled bathroom was decadent. And the Excelsior has the Heavenly beds, which were easily the best beds we had in Italy. Really, you could spend all day in those beds....

Be warned that there is construction on the Via Sicilia side of the hotel -- which was an eye sore and somewhat noisy. I'm sure your friend would reserve a room overlooking the Via Veneto.

However, if cash or points weren't an issue, my first choice would have been the St. Regis Grand. I also did a lot of research on the two hotels on this forum as well as www.flyertalk.com, and I believe the Grand has a slight edge over the Excelsior for service.

As an Italian,a woman and a romantic
go for the outside proposal-so many
beautiful romantic places to choose
from,you can then follow up with a
sketch of the proposal site for a
wedding /1st anniv gift.

I second (or third) the vote for the Westin Excelsior. We had the luck of staying there last May when a foreign diplomat was also staying at the hotel. We were upgraded to a gigantic suite because all the hotel guests (we were part of a group) were placed on the opposite side of the hotel from the VIP. Lots of malitias in front but at least we felt safe. Only neg. is that the plumbing isn't so hot but the rooms are gorgeous & the staff was very friendly.

A final "Thank you" to everybody for their advice!

The hotel of choice is the Westin Excelsior, as their rates are (at least relatively:-() the most reasonable in relation to the quality offered. At least that's what we gathered from your reviews.

It is amazing, what a wealth of information you folks were able to provide. I am very grateful - and so is my friend, so let's hope his girl will feel so, too!

Cheers
hsv

I know I'm showing my age, but doesn't one propose marriage before taking the lady to a hotel?