The wife and I will be spending 4 nights in Rome this December ('09). We prefer full-service hotels, with good sized rooms, and comfortable King Beds; we are a little disillusioned about what we are reading about hotels in Rome (our first visit). Most of what we read is about the small rooms and baths.

We are not snobs but if we are willing to pay the big bucks, we expect clean, spacious, comfortable rooms with excellent service from the hotel staff.

Any suggestions and advice on which hotels to consider (and to avoid) would be appreciated. (Know of any little-know "gems" that would surprise us?)

Tks,
Rock

Well you are looking for exactlty the type of Europeon hotel I don't like. After 7 trips to Europe I much prefer the small boutique local type hotels down the little side alleys but that is me not you.
You might want to go to tripadvisor and start your hotel search there. Once you get some ideas come back and ask about them.Have you traveled to Europe before and if so what cities and what hotels did you stay at in those places that you really liked?

The Intercontinental De La Ville meets all the requirements you list. Plus, it is very quiet which is not always the case in Roma.

remote -I disagree w/uo.The Intercontinental is old, small rooms, very noisy if your room faces the inner courtyard-the bar/music blasts til 2-3 Am.complaining got us no-where! Very snooty to boot.
Apity because the location is great-at the top of the Spanish steps.

The Westin Excelsior may be exactly what you are looking for. When we stayed there our room was huge and beautifully furnished. The bath too was large and outfitted with marble walls and floors. Certainly one of the nicest places we've stayed. It's only a few short blocks to the Spanish Steps. One of the best meals I had in Italy was at the Excelsior.

www.westin.com/excelsiorrome

Hi

Try the Hotel de Russie - https://www.hotelderussie.it

Chapla- were you on the first floor? I know there are unrenovated rooms on the first floor but most of the hotel has spacious rooms with high ceilings, marble baths, large flat screens and double pane windows. We started staying there in 2006 because the Hassler was up to $700 and I didn't think the rooms were any nicer. I have used the parking, laundry service and congierce serveral times and was always extremely satisfied. I did join their Ambassador club for the late check out, but I don't think you get a better room, although you get a voucher for a free weekend night. I'm sorry you had a room with bar noise-- to me their is nothing worse. A good nights sleep is my most important criteria in a hotel and that is why I recommended the De La Ville.

Just as everyone's idea of "small" is different, so is the meaning of "big bucks." Please tell us what you're willing (or wanting) to spend.

Hi; We agree with the Weston on the Via Veneto. Good size rooms and in a good locarion. We don't spend a large amount for breakfast, but if you go to the bar for coffee, you also get some pastries. Richard

There are a lot of excellent hotels in Rome with large rooms, good service and everything you will want. They are not inexpensive.

Without knowing your budget it's hard to make recos.

Raphael Hotel was a recommedation we received but haven't stayed there yet.

Hey...thanks for all the replies. Much appreciated.

Some good points were mentioned...what is "small?" Well, for me, it's anything LESS than what you would normally experience at a Westin, Marriott or Fairmont property in the USA...what they would call their 'standard' room. I always have a King bed, small sofa/sitting area, desk area, flat-screen TV, and decent size bath room. Not a 'suite' but certainly a "comfortable" room to move around in.

"Big bucks" for one person is pocket change for another. For me personally, it's in the $400 USD per day range when I'm on vacation. It's my understanding that if you want to stay in the heart of Rome, with better access to the sites, you can expect it to be more expensive. Everybody wants to be where the action is and you pay for that.

A small family run hotel or a 'boutique'is just not my style on vacation. The hotel is "half the trip" for me...when I come in from a long day of being on my feet, seeing the sites, I want to come "Home" to my sanctuary with the friendly, welcoming staff and close the door to my nice, comfortable room with a great bed.

As I have read in several places (TripAdvisor, Expedia, Travelocity and other travel forums regarding hotels..."Rome is not a modern, American city...adjust your expectations....
think smaller."

>>>It's my understanding that if you want to stay in the heart of Rome<<<

In the heart of Rome, the buildings are hundreds of years old. Much older than in the US. You can't tear them down and put up a big chain hotel.

You will find many hotels that will meet most of your requirements (although $400 might be a little cheap for the area) up the via Veneto, but most of us don't consider it the heart of Rome.

Sadly, $400 ain't what it used to be, now "only" about 265 euros.

Try the Small Luxury Hotels group. You'll note several properties give the square footage info of their rooms. Depending on when you're going, you might find a property that fits your budget and other requirements. There may be a 4th night free after 3 somewhere.

http://www.slh.com/hotelfinder/count...ome/page0.html

If you have points with any loyalty/affinity programs, I'd use them.

I'm not sure that $400 would be considered 'big bucks' in any major european city. It'll probably get you a very nice place but not top of the line.

At the Grand Hotel de la Minerve in the historic centre, a Deluxe Room (if you want a king-size bed and a sitting area) is 380 Euro in December. There may (or may not) be a multi-night package.

You should also be aware that most hotels, whether large, small, boutique, in the center, etc. have different ranges of types of rooms. And they will never (at least in my experience) commit to giving you a certain room. So you may end up in a high-end expensive place/area and the room you get may not be up to par. Since most of these old-type places are also constantly renovating, you may be given an un-renovated room which is "waiting" for its renovation while others may be better.

I had the chance to book a room for a really really low rate (165 Euros I believe) at the Albergo del Senato right on the Pantheon square. I was so worried about the type of room they might give me for such a low price at such a highend hotel, that I passed.

There are those for whom luck always shines and even when reserving a regular standard room, get upgraded at the desk upon checking in. I have never been this lucky person but I guess it is great if you are. Good luck and have a great time.

Hi again

Mmmm..OK the Hotel de Russie is out. Maybe try the Mellini Suite at the Hotel dei Mellini - http://www.hotelmellini.com

I recommend the Hotel Splendide Royal. We stayed in their junior suite and was very happy with it. It has the king size bed you are looking for, a separate seating room, a tv in the bedroom and in the living room, a half bath off the living room, big master bathroom (it has a jacuzzi), a good size desk and a nice balconey. The hotel faces Villa Borghese Park, close to Via Veneto and 500 metres from the Spanish Steps. The location is great. The staff is very friendly. There is a good restaurant next to the hotel. Their cream cake is to die for.

The Intercontinental De La Ville is also one of my favorite in Rome and has a special place in my heart. I was lucky enough to get a room on the top floor with a balconey.

Have a great time. Rome is so beautiful!

I have stayed a half dozen times at The Minerve, a lovely hotel with a wonderful staff and great location. Lobby bar are roof top bar are great places for before and after dinner drinks.

Standard rooms are smallish but superior rooms are spacious and well appointed.

The Westin Excelsior is another good choice and I personally enjoy staying on or near Via Veneto as it is quiet. And Marriott Grand Flora has larger rooms in their premium categories and is a very nice hotel.

We also enjoyed Sofitel Roma and Capo d'Africa in Deluxe rooms, both solid 4 star hotels.