My husband and I will be in Rome for 3 nights and would like to stay in a great hotelnear the spanish steps. Hassler and Hotel de la ville Inter-continental are upwards of $400. to $600. a night. Is there any hotel of that quality that's any less? Has anyone stayed at the Savoy? How is it? Or the Exselsior? What are the room rates there these days? <BR> <BR>Also, in expectation of someone telling me to look the rates up myself. Where can I do this? <BR> <BR>THANK YOU

The Hassler is clearly one of the top 2-3 hotels in Rome. You'll find all the 5-stars run about the same rate. de la Ville is a (very good) 4--star and should run a bit less. <BR> <BR>On the via Veneto I'd prefer the Marriott Flora over the Excelsior which may be a bit past its prime. <BR> <BR>The Holiday Inn Crown Plaza Minerva is usually priced quite quite well. Very good to excellent quality, good location. <BR> <BR>You'll find info on these at www.twenj.com/romehotelothr.htm For more recommendations (and more or less current prices) Fodor's information is excellent. See the link at the bottom of the Fodor's page. <BR> <BR>Rome.Switzerland.Bavaria <BR>www.twenj.com

My wife and I spent four days at the Excelsior last May. It's a brisk 15 minute walk from the Spanish steps but on the Via Veneto, an interesting area. We were on a cruise package deal but the brochure high season prices were 740,000L for a "Classic" room, the lowest category, to 840,000L for a "Smart" room. Rooms are very ornate and well appointed but a little run down. The restaurant and bar are excellent. We've stayed at luxury hotels all over the world and our main complaint at the Excelsior was the arrogant and indifferent staff. Their website is luxurycollection.com/ExcelsiorRome. If you stay there or near there don't miss the great risotto at the Tiffany Ristorante. <BR>

Hi Lisa, <BR> <BR>There's a charming and elegant boutique hotel about three steps away from the Hassler and the de la ville called Scalinata di Spagna. Try www.venere.it for hotel listings with pictures, rates and room descriptions.

Lisa, <BR>I highly reccommend you not stay near the Spanish Steps. It is too crowded and noisy there, and not really centrally located. We stayed at the Crown Plaza Minerva in October and it is by far a more charming area, quiet, and the absolute center of a hub with spokes in every direction to all the sights. The prices are really reasonable for a 5 star hotel. Rooms vary in size so ask for a large one. They are very well appointed and in excellent condition. You may be able to get a discount through AAA or Holiday Inns. Tons of great restaurants nearby, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona. Enjoy!

A friend stayed at the D'Inghilterra for his honeymoon and really liked the hotel. I walked past it, and thought it looked quite lovely. I think the prices are a little less than the ones you mention (more like $300). I think you can find it at www.charminghotels.it, or maybe www.slh.com. Both of those sites have small, luxury hotels that are quite nice.

My friends stayed as well at the D'Inghilterra two years ago and were very pleased (and they tend to choose luxury spots such as Le Sireneuse/Positano, Ritz/Barcelona, Palace/Madrid). It's not at the Spanish Steps proper but nearby, in the heart of the elegant shopping area around the Via Condotti. It's also a Karen Brown favorite. www.karenbrown.com <BR>It's luxury, but for less than the Hassler.

Although I haven't been to the Holiday Inn Minerva(Crowne Plaza), this is the top choice of many people I have talked to, including a very experienced travel consultant who swears by this place. The main reason is the location, near the Pantheon. He suggested NOT to stay near the Spanish Steps. So look into the Holiday Inn Minerva...not your typical Holiday Inn. I know it seems strange to stay at a Holiday Inn when traveling in Rome but this one is full of history and charm, very elegant and centrally located! I checked the rates since I am also going to be in Rome and it is not cheap...rates start at @$350 a night.

Although we didn't stayed at the Crown Plaza Minerva last year, we did rent an apartment just around the corner in Piazza del Pigna, and I will concur with Susan that the location is top notch! When you walk out of the hotel, you face the famous statue of the elephant with the obelisk. Turn right and there's the church of Sta Maria Sopra Minerva ("Sopra Minerva" means "Over (the Temple of) Minerva"). The Pantheon is 50 steps away from the hotel's door. You can walk to many of the great sites in Rome, and there's a taxi stand in Piazza Minerva for those which are too far.

I stayed at the Savoy hotel next to Via Veneto several times in the last years. However it is quite noisy and the level of comfort is lower than the Hassler or Hotel de la Ville. Savoy is an italian 4 star hotel, but not a luxury 4 star hotel, unless they totally refurbished the hotel since my last trip.