111op

Actually I think the cheapest option is more like $400 a night because there's a surcharge added for short stay.

111op

Just in case anyone cares....

<b>Rome</b>

I've done the following for Rome. I booked a pair of rooms at Ponte Sisto (which was recommended by kybourbon). This works out to be about 490 euros or so. I also booked a pair of rooms at Hotel Raffaello, which is about 315 euros.

So that's a 175 euros difference -- for 5 nights. It's pretty sizeable.

Both have good reviews on Tripadvisor, but I did a search here and people have found the location of Raffaello questionable.

I've already spent a lot of time on hotels. So I don't know if I want to spend any more time looking at this.

An apartment is probably more economical, but I'm a little concerned about not having &quot;my own space.&quot; I also researched the more expensive hotels. I thought Raphael may be a good choice (with its third floor designed by Richard Meier). But I think that my problem is that I don't know if I want to pay for two rooms at a fancy hotel. Also my parents are resisting against an expensive hotel, plus they don't like the idea of staying in one hotel while I stay in another.

So probably it's for the better that I don't spend too much $.

Any other ideas or thoughts? Some of the suggestions here are already booked. Maybe I'll give Canali a call. I can't book it on booking.com because there's no availability. It should be cheaper than Ponte Sisto and it's also in the historical center.

I think it's good to book these now to avoid what happened with my Paris hotels, which I'll describe next. This way I can have some time to think about my choices and investigate others if necessary.

111op

<b>Paris</b>

After a lot of agonizing and overthinking, I settled on a very basic hotel near the Louvre. But in 24h, the availability changed completely. I was only able to boo a single and a double for our first two nights. This came out to a total of &lt; 250 euros a night.

So now this is a nightmare. Either we switch hotels or I find another hotel where we can stay for five nights. I prefer the right bank near the Louvre, and I think that I've booked about the cheapest, serviceable option possible.

I was thinking that this could be a good excuse to put my parents up at a nicer hotel for three nights while I stay at a cheaper one. The total $ I spend will probably be similar to booking two rooms for 5 nights at a hotel more expensive than what I booked for the first two nights.

I've tried to call the hotel directly to extend the stay, but they have no availability either. They have singles available for five nights, but just not doubles.

So the Paris part is a bit of a mess.

So again, I'm happy to hearing your suggestions. Thanks again!

111op

For the other three nights I've booked Elysees Regencia. I came across this hotel while browsing at booking.com.

For the two rooms it's about 435 euros a night. Not too thrilled with this location, but the hotel is #2 on Tripadvisor for some reason. So I'm thinking maybe give it a try? But I'll think about this more.

CaliNurse

Re; Rome, and the suggestin of Hotel San francesco--it was one of the most disappointing hotels i've ever been in. A good breakfast and lovely dining room, but dingy shabby rooms, dirty matting on the floor. Ugh, I dont get the positive reviews, and would never recommend it.
thank heaven you chose anohter of KYBourbon's Rome suggestions.

Re: vacationi paris for flats, there are other sites for apts, but their prices are probalby the most reasonable.

You can find good bargains by trying to find a place with 4 or 5 open days between other guest.

You wrote
&quot;did check Le Meurice and George V. Both are booked, but I think the rates will start from around 750 euros, which is probably more than I want to spend.&quot; An understatement. You were worried about budget and checking THESE hotels???!!! You can find perfectly lovely hotels OR a 2 bedroom apt in Paris for wayyy less.

Good luck! Try not to worry too much. I love nice rooms and locatins too , but remember the stars of the show are Paris and Rome themselves, and there's no way your parents won't love this trip you're so diligently planning

WillTravel

I'm surprised by how positive the Raffaelo reviews are, with few complaints about the location. I wonder if I've been overly influenced by anti-Termini sentiment.

Vttraveler

Not sure whether you still want to look for other places, but just in case:
We rented an apartment in Rome last year from realrome.com. They do rent for shorter stays, as few as 4 nights (with a higher per night charge for the shorter stays). I am not sure about other agencies but I think the same applies. We were very happy with realrome but if you are looking for luxury their listings might be too basic.
In general a 2 BR apartment would give you much more space, be more reasonable, than 2 hotel rooms--much less than the Ponte sisto option.

If you do want to pursue the apartment option you can get a lot of information by doing a search on this forum for Rome apartments

111op

I'm ambivalent about the apt. option, but I'm definitely interested in hearing about this -- and what people think potential pros and cons are.

I think what's making this difficult is that I don't feel like I'm getting a lot for my money's worth even if I spend something like 500 euros a night. Granted I know there're three of us. Wonder how people with family do this. I usually travel alone or with my mom, so this is something new to me.

I believe in arming myself with information and choices (well, maybe in this case -- too much information!). I like to know what's available. Plus I think it'd be good to do something nice for my parents. So that's why I considered all price brackets.

I find the price tags of the luxury hotels pretty shocking. I mean, 800 euros gets you maybe the cheapest room at these hotels.

What also makes it difficult is that I can't really preview the hotels. I mean, if I could *really* understand why a room is worth 800 euros, maybe I'd be more inclined to pay for that.

Or maybe even just comparing a few hotels -- it'd be nice to know whether one is really worth the extra money.

For example, Raffaello gets good reviews on Tripadvisor as well. I'm not sure if the location is really so bad. I mean it's in between two Metro stops (not that Rome metro is really useful). Of course Ponte Sisto looks more convenient, but is this worth about 900 euros more for the 5-night stay?

I guess it's hard for me to reconcile all these various constraints and desires, if that makes sense! I wish that I could pay all these hotels a visit and decide, but obviously that's not an option.

Also I think psychologically there's the same effect people mention about wines. So if I pay more I'll probably think the hotel is better, so I'll enjoy it more. This last part may be questionable. I'm not sure if I've convinced myself of the first part yet (i.e. more expensive = better), so that's why I'm asking and doing research.

travelbunny

..try ratestogo. I find it an excellent site for last minute reservation. I always check each hotel against recs on tripadvisor.

kybourbon

Not upscale, but reasonably priced with a good location, the Hotel San Carlo has a triple superior with separate bedrooms.
http://www.hotelsancarloroma.com/hot...-rooms-01.html

highflyer

Hi 111op,

I know that I wouldn't 'think' that paying an extra 900 euros for 5 nights would be worth it; I'd just think that I'd spent my 'dinner money'!

I can't help with the hotels mentioned but I have stayed at the Hotel Napoleon in a junior suite with a view of the Arc de Triomphe. Very nice hotel with beautiful period details. (www.hotelnapoleonparis.com ). It has pretty good internet rates for suites depending on your dates.

Apartment pros are..
space!
It feels more relaxing to me to not have to eat out for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day on vacation.
opportunity to shop at local markets, delis, etc for fresh fruit, veg, bread etc
Coffee how I like it, when I like it.
convenience... washer/dryer for longer stays. wifi .

cons...
people usually mention the lack of a concierge but I never miss them!

housekeeping (again I prefer the privacy of an apartment and can make my own bed)

?

Good luck!

111op

Yes, I'd tend to agree also -- that the price difference of 900 euros is quite large if it's just for a location difference. That's why I've kept both bookings for now while I decide what to do.

I agree with what you say about an apt. But I think that the biggest con for me is having to share the apartment still with my parents. For some people it's an advantage, no doubt. I guess for me it's hard to put the value of being able to retreat to my own room at the end of the day. Obviously with a 2BR there's more privacy, but still I'd be spending all my time with them. (Plus they are actually visiting me for a while, by the way, so it's not like I'll be seeing them only during this trip.)

Actually I considered staying at a different hotel from them (they could stay at a better one, for example). But they don't seem to like this idea, and I must admit that I see my logistical issues myself.

Anyway, I guess I'm just feeling doubtful because, as I said, I don't feel like I'm spending very wisely even though I've spent a lot of time researching the hotels already (not apartments so much). But I guess that's my problem, not anyone else's.

sarge56

111op- I know I'm coming to the party a little late, but, I reckon' anything is worth a mention at this point.

My daughter and I stayed at the Hotel Hospitel Dieu. It is on the Ile de la Cite, literally across the street from Notre Dame. Walk to Louvre 20 mts.

It is a small boutique hotel IN the oldest hospital in Paris. The room was not large, but adequate; the bath was huge and had a tub and shower attachment. The place was spotless (hey-it's a hospital!) And the price couldn't be beat. We stayed in October for 110 Euros a night.

Here is website:

http://www.hotel-hospitel.fr/ang/accueil.htm

Bon voyage!

111op

Thanks.

Anything is worth a mention, by the way. My bookings are cancelable. I just want to line up something &quot;just in case.&quot; Also I've spent too much time on this and I need a break. But I'm still checking the thread and thinking about this since I leave in about 3 weeks or so.

LouisaH

I stayed at the Hotel Ponte Sisto and found that I got a much cheaper rate by booking through Venere. I even checked with the hotel to see if they would match the price but they said no and to go ahead and book with Venere and they would honor the price, which they did.

111op

What was your price for Ponte Sisto? I think Venere wants 265 euros for the double, which is lower than what the hotel has on its website. For the single I booked, Venere is more expensive because it's a double for single use. I think Venere is 240 euros. The hotel shows 225 euros.

I tried to use some discount codes on Venere to secure the bookings.

I was thinking of calling the hotel directly to see if they can give me something cheaper -- maybe by combining the rooms -- but I haven't done so because I've not made a final decision yet.

Thanks.

LouisaH

This was two years ago and the hotel quoted E210 and I paid E160 through Venere for a single but it was a double bed. I don't recall any additional charge or penalty for just one person. Have you looked at the Daphne Inn? I also stayed there and was quite pleased; they have two locations right near each other.

111op

It looks like Ponte Sisto's prices have gone up substantially. I'll check some of the other suggestions here. Thanks!

freeman0819

111op, what dates are you going to be in Rome?

My friends and i rented a 2 bedroom apartment for 420EUR for 3 nights, 2nd weekend in June. The reviews are favorable and the rate is fantastic. Located near the Spanish steps.

111op

It's around the 2nd week of June also. Do you have the website? I can always take a look. Thanks!

I'm going to Paris first, then Rome.