Thanks to all for the wonderful information I have learned since finding Fodors. This will be my first trip out of the USA. I have been searching for a nice hotel or apt in Rome for myself, husband and two teenagers. Has anyone rented from Rentals in Rome? We are looking to pay no more than $300/night for 4 or 5 nights and plan to go in Spring of 08.

We had 2 connecting rooms and each had its own bath when we visited Rome with our teens. This was at Canali ai Coronari right off Piazza Navona. It was very nice, and should be within your budget.

Why not a 2 bedroom apt.--look at Palazzo Olivia.

or even a 3 bedroom apartment

http://www.romanreference.com/apartment.php?refid=137

The Santa CHiara hotel has a family suite (2 room suite, 1 with queen bed and the other with 2 twins). The location is great, and the hotel very nice with excellent breakfast. In March '01 it cost around $250 so it may be just at your budget now.

the website www.sleepinitaly is great we got a 2 bedroom apartment 2 blocks from the vatican for a week in september total cost 340 euros has seperate bedrooms kitchen lounge bathroom and laundry

Thanks for your suggestions. Suki, since you had to pay for two rooms, was it still in $300 range? Did you have a double room or a jr. suite?

One other question, what is the best area of Rome to be situated? Are the bus routes all over?

Do you want you hotel location to have easy access to a bus route?

The Hotel Della Torre Argentina has a bus stop directly in front of it on Corso Via V. Emanuele, 102. Last June we paid 270 euro for a quad room, breakfast was included in the room rate.

Sorry, we paid 270 USD, which was about 196 euro. Too late for me to be doing this math!

We stayed there in March 2005 and for 3 nights the total was right around 775 euro. So, I guess that is a bit more than $300 per night with the current unfavorable exchange rate.

The location near Piazza Navona was great. It is very central to most tourist sites. Campo Fiore and the Pantheon area are also very central.

I am kane: It looks like Hotel Della Torre Argentina will charge us 340Euro in high season (we are going 5/08). Too bad, looks like a nice place, especially like the terraces!!

We stayed at Via Della Carrozze right by the Spanish Steps for around 730 Euro for 4 nights. There were 6 of us with 2 bedrooms. The beds were fine but the kids found the fold out couches very uncomfortable. This wouldn't be a problem for you. It has windows at the front and a tiny balcony at the back which allows a good cross breeze.

Not posh, but quite comfortable.

We booked through Sleep in Italy. THis apartment isn't on their website anymore, but last year they told me they are still renting it.

I just returned from a 2 bedroom apartment in Rome. It was right by the Spanish Steps on VIA DEI GRECI N° 10 I rented through Sleep in Italy. I am not fully comfortable recommeding it without knowing your "standards" it was our least favorite place we stayed on our trip. It was 190.00 Euros for a real two bedroom with 2 baths. http://www.sleepinitaly.com/files/apt_greci.html

There is nothing "luxury" about the property at all. It was to us very basic et. - I will find the link.

The owner was really nice and easy to work with and all ran well et.

Dawnnoelm: Thanks for the info. The apt looks nice. I would love to email you to get some more info. This is our first trip out of USA and I am a bit overwhelmed. I really have so many questions.

Italy 08 - my email is [email protected]

I am happy to give more information regarding the apartment and the area - and you can see if it does meet your needs. I know what you mean about it being overwhelming. I was overwhelmed with our trip - but everything really worked out okay - a lot of planning did make it that way - but things really went pretty smoothly after a bumping beginning (airline issues).
Are your teens boys or girls?
Also - I read on slowtravel reviews that you can book this apartment directly with the owner (he is VERY nice) and it will save you a little money.
Please email me and I am happy to share about the apartment and area et.
blessings,
Dawn

You could also check out the rentals available through realrome.com. We had a very good experience renting a 2 BR apartment in the ghetto area from this agency. The apartments are mostly not fancy but good value. The owner is from New Zealand, very helpful and pleasant to work with.
for a good central location I would recommend trying to find an apartment near the Piazza Navona/Campo de Fiori area. You can connect to buses easily from these areas but you can walk to many sites you will want to visit.
Trastevere across the Tiber is also a charming neighborhood. If you do a search on the forum you will probably come up with good suggestions in that area.
We loved staying in the ghetto area but there are few apartments and hotels there.

We have rented an apt in Campo di Fiori through Rental in Rome. It is booked and we are yet to go but the booking process went well. The planning is abit overwhelming but I am learning so much and looking forward to our big trip.