we have a confirmed reservation for hotel Canada in May. Tripadvisor rates it well (#27) but I read somewhere in my posts that it was on the "wrong side" of the station...been nagging me ever since. Hotel Turner, (deluxe room)
in about the same price, and I believe on the "other" side of the tracks, though gets mixed reviews. What should I do??? I would like a beautiful room, that I can afford..but I do not wish to stay in the "tenderloin" area of the city! (San Francisco readers will undertand this)

Well, I don't live in San Francisco, so don't know what "tenderloin" means, and even though I know I've read some of your posts, I don't know what you require in your hotel.

What is the street address for Hotel Canada? How much per night are you paying? Is that your maximum price per night?

What do you require in a hotel besides a beautiful room? Ensuite bath? Good location? Elevator? Are you willing to give up any of these amenities for a better price or better location?

LoveItaly always says that her son-in-law, born and raised in Rome, says that south of the train station is not the place to stay. Is that where your hotel is? Are you willing to spend any more for a better location? You probably notice that a good portion of my questions involve location, which I consider very important. More information, please!

From its map, Turner is also on the NE side of Termini. Not much difference from Canada.

thanks for your reply susanP,
here is the address for hotel canada:
Via Vincenza 58 00185 Roma.
Since we are here, here are the other hotels I booked, please look them over.
Genoa-Hotel Moderno Verdi
Piazza G Verdi 5
16121 Genoa
ps..truly a pit stop..one night after flight. will arrive at hotel approx
10:30 at night. leave for SML next morning.
Santa Margherita Ligure-Hotel Lauren
Lungomare Marconi 3 16038 SML Portofino

Florence- VivaHotel Pitti Palace
Borgo San Jacopo 3
50125 Florence
Venice-Hotel Antiche Figure
Sestiere Santa Croce 687
30135 Venice
Thanks for your help!!!!!!

ps Susan P-paying for hotel Canada 162.90 Euros per night.(6 nights) yes require
ensuite bath, if there is no elevator,
that is not such a big deal. Safety and
location are important!

ttt

daisy, please realize these are just my opinion: I can't help you with Genoa or Portofino. The Florence location is south of the Arno, not a bad thing at all, a little further from the "center" than some. In Venice, Santa Croce isn't a bad location either, depending on just where that hotel is (Venice is not that big, and if you don't want to walk, a vaporetto is usually close).

In Rome, Via Vincenza would not be my choice for a location for 6 nights, I would want to be much more in the center of things (near Piazza Navona/Pantheon). Your budget is higher than mine was, but if you do a search here, you could probably find something in your price range in a much nicer area. I'm not saying that area is unsafe, just not as charming and definitely not as convenient to all the things you will want to see. I hope you have a great trip!

Hi daisy, LoveItaly here. Saw your thread and the other posts and became curious about the Hotel Canada. Yes, Susan is correct, my SIL did say that staying south of the train station is a terrible idea..and believe me, he and I both know what you mean by the Tenderloin in SF!

Anyway, the Hotel Canada is N/E of the train station, not south of the station. I don't think that is considered a terrible area but I will be having dinner with my daughter & SIL tomorrow night and I will consequently ask him.

Out of curiosity I Googled the Hotel Canada and I must say that the rooms look lovely, although hotels always show their "best rooms" on websites and in brochures as we all know.

Rome hotels are expensive, that is always a problem.

Time is always limited for visitors, another problem.

Even if the area where the Hotel Canada is located is safe and nothing like the Tenderloin in SF it is quite a way from what I would call the historical center of Rome.

Personally I would if at all possible try to find a hotel that is closer to what I imagine you will want to enjoy in Rome. I think that a beautiful room is wonderful (although again hotels always show their "best rooms" in their ads which unfortantaly is not their "typical" rooms) but IMO location is so important and what can make or break a visit to an unknown city.

If I have any further information for you I will post it here Friday. Best regards.

thank you loveitaly, I look forward to your post tomorrow!

Daisy,
I'm in SF, so yes, I understand the Tenderloin reference.

Please refresh my memory: how many people are traveling and what is your budget? Are you averse to renting an apartment?

I have only stayed in Trastevere, Campo dei Fiori and Pantheon areas in Rome. All are great locations. I would consider Monti/Forum areas for future visits as well.

Daisy,
Huitres recommends this hotel, which I've only seen from the outside, but the location is grreat:

http://www.travelintelligence.net/ws...me_review.html

I know what you mean by the 'tenderloin' area too. Although this hotel is nicelooking on their website, it may be better to look for another location. I understand that the area around Termini has improved over the years, but I think you'd enjoy staying near the Pantheon area more.

You can take a look at various pedestrian distances at http://www.mappy.com . Select Pedestrian when making your choices.

Say you want to walk from Hotel Canada to the Pantheon (at Piazza del Rotunda). According to mappy.com, that is 2.8 km (almost two miles). I suspect you would have a better experience if you choose a hotel that is say less than half a mile from the Pantheon.

Hi daisy, had a discussion with my SIL this evening about the Hotel Canada. He is not personally familar with this hotel of course (as he has a house in Rome) but he said to tell you the area where the hotel is should be just fine. And in his opinion it is not far from the historical center. But keep in mind he is a very good walker..so don't know if you would agree with that or not.

Sooo, safety seems fine but IMHO location could be improved upon and if I were you I would continue to look for a hotel that is closer to the historical center to see if you could find a suitable hotel in the price range you are budgeting for. If you cannot it doesn't appear you will be in an unsafe and "Tenderloin" type of area. You don't want that, LOL. Best wishes to you and have a wonderful time in Italy

loveitaly--thank you sooooooooo much!
YOU and your WONDERFUL SIL have put my
fears to rest. will continue looking, as you suggested, but at least I am assured a safe, and not sleezy location. (whew! I really was worried!)
and thanks so much for taking the time
to ask your family at your dinner! That
was extraordinary of you, and I truly appreciate it!

Oh daisy, you are more than welcome, or as they say in Italy, prego!!

Do post back when you make your final hotel decision. I, like you, want a safe and good location and a good hotel so sure understand your feelings.

The month of May should be a beautiful month. My daughter said to tell you that she found that this last June was soooo hot and humid it was hard to feel comfortable in anything including a sundress. But they spent the month of June in Rome due to both of my SIL's parents being in two different hospitals so it wasn't a fun and relaxing time.

My family and I sure wish you two a beautiful time in Rome, it truly is a fantastic city!

loveitaly..so great to read this post from you.. just got off the 9/11 post we were both on earlier..sad/angry/proud/apprehensive..glad to have you on the previous post, and on this one to shake me back to today and the wonderful distraction of planning..life is a wonderful, fragile, unpredictable thing..thank you my fodor friend

Hi daisy, I agree with you completely, life is so fragile and so full of "unknowns". You are in SF I believe, maybe we can meet in SF one of these days. In the meantime have fun planning your trip to Italy. You will have a beautiful time I am sure. Dolce nanna (which means sweet dreams).

We will be in Rome on July 14-16th. We are taking a cruise on the 16th. I saw a good online recommendation for the Hotel Dei Mellini which is located at Via Muzio Clementi, 81. Looking at a map it is just NE of St. Angelo Castle on the West side of the Tiber. Any information if this is desirable place to stay and in a safe area? The website makes it look nice, but don't they all. www.hotelmellini.com

Tandko, that's a safe area. It's a little less central than many possibilities, though, but certainly walkable to most things. It does look like a gorgeous hotel. Did you check TripAdvisor for this hotel?