I'll second the above suggestion. I had no idea you could get the Hotel Ponte Sisto for under $300 - it's a four star hotel smack in the middle of the historical center. If you CAN get it for under $300, then by all means grab it.

Judy,
You are certainly right--the Ponte Sisto looks beautiful. I did not consider it as it appeared out of my price range. I was under the impression that the best rates were direct from the hotels. What's the catch with such a low rate from reservationitaly?!

I don't know that there is a "catch." I e-mailed the hotel to ask if the rooms through reservationitaly would be inferior and the reservation clerk said no, go ahead and book through them. They wouldn't match the price. It could be that they don't anticipate being full and let reservationitaly handle some rooms for them. I don't know. There are a few other good hotels in Rome through reservationitaly, but not in the location we want. I think it was Cruiseluv who posted about the deal on a thread I was reading.

Please post something on how it went in hotel ponte sisto...I am going to rome June 2007...and really want to stay there....thanks!!

I will! Meanwhile, you can search on this forum and read about other posters' experiences.

We stayed at the Santa Chiara two winters ago. Our first room had the smell of cigarette smoke and we were quickly given another. This room was really lovely. No complaints about much of anything EXCEPT the staff at the front desk. Very unhelpful and smug. Ex: we asked them to make a dinner reservation for us and it was as though we were asking for a great favor. When I asked them for the 5th time later in the day if they had made the reservation, they smiled and answered yes. However, when we showed up at the restaurant, our names were not on their reservation list; the reservation had never been made! This winter we are returning to Rome and will stay at the Senato instead. Same location, much better reputation as far as helpfullness goes. No reason to stay at a place that doesn't appear to respect its guests, especially Americans.

I've stayed at the Poroghesi and Cesari. Actually the Cesari twice and would go back again. The location is fantastic, real close to the Pantheon as is the Portoghesi but the Cesari is a bit move spacious, elbow room wise and rooms are bigger.

We stayed at the Hotel Hassler last November. Because it was off season we got an incredible price. It is right at the top of the Spanish Steps and convenient to everything (and near the Metro). It was a wonderful upscale hotel. We paid about $250 US a night.

Katie and Tom Cruise just got married there so since it was all over the news it may have gone up in popularity....but it you are headed to Rome off season you may want to give it a try.

Thanks for your input. We are going in June, so I'm afraid there will be no deals to be had! I contacted Italyreservations.com, but never heard back from them.

Oops--I meant reservationitaly.com

In case you have not made your reservation, consider the Hotel Residenza in Farnese. Five minutes from the Pantheon and the Piazza Navona. Fifteen minutes from Vatican City. Right at the Campo di fiori. Excellent, helpful staff and breakfast was ample. Attractive room.

I agree - Hotel Residenza in Farnese is another excellent choice. CALL them however. I don't think they keep up with their website and any of the third party hotel booking sites they have relationships with don't look to promising either.


Again, a great choice, but CALL.

I see what you mean. The website for Hotel Residenza doesn't look very promising. It looks like a great choice, however. Maybe we'll try giving them a call. I've got to get this settled before I drive myself crazy

Was the Hotel Residenza the one Ed and Julie used to like?

Stayed at the Santa Chiara for 6 nights last April when I was in Rome on business. Location was ideal. Near everything but somehow more authentic and slightly removed from tourist mayhem. Staff was fine.

Josephina - Although Ed and Julie'e web page no longer exists, you can access much of it through an archive page. I keep meaning to burn it to cd so I will have it if something happens to the archive page.
http://web.archive.org/web/200406160...www.twenj.com/

Thanks so much everybody. Guess we are going to try Santa Chiara as we all decided we won't need the staff for much anyway. We have all been to Rome before (always stayed in apartments) and my husband can get by with his Italian. Just a sidenote that I tried reservationitaly.com TWICE and never did hear back from them re Ponte Sisto. Oh well!

Kari, with your positive attitude you're going to have a great trip regardless of any curmudgeonly staff!
Enjoy!!!