There are a lot of hotel threads, but I find the advice of minimal usefulness. A lot of hotels are described as ?clean.? This sounds like a negative comment. If the best you can say about the place is that it?s clean, the rooms must be very poor, indeed. Some are described as ?in a good location.? I can see where the hotels are on the map, so commenting on location is 0 help. Comments about helpful staff are also of little assistance. Staff come and go, so things change. Besides, a a lousy hotel with a good staff is still a lousy hotel. I further suspect that many a good comment is based on sympathy for a mom and pop operation rather than on the quality accommodations. Opinions are also very vague. What exactly is a ?small room? Small is a very relative term. Lastly, people don?t say who they are when they post. The opinion of a 22 year who is in Europe for the first time is of little value to us, er, more mature types. To me, a hotel is not just a place to flop. Having a nice place to stay is a big part of the enjoyment. In fact, many opinions obviously come from the type of people who put their critical faculties on hold when they travel. Nothing is perfect. An opinion without some negatives is not very credible.

Having said all that, I would appreciate suggestions for central Rome, 150-200E. Well appointed rooms, lobby, atmosphere etc.

Having said all that, why would anyone's suggestions be helpful to you?

Obviously someone's never heard of the expression "biting the hand that feeds you?"

Hi hb,

Would you mind being a bit clearer about what you mean by "central", "well-appointed" and "atmosphere"?

Why all the complaints? We are all volunteers here.

If you want the info that you say, the best bet for you is to buy a guide book that you respect, then go on the internet to each hotel's web site and look at the rooms.

I find the best information is from people who had actually been to a place and I read alot of threads and advice and then make a decision based on an average.

It all boils down to making your own decision anyway, doesn't it?

Lol, right on the mark Ira!

What a wonderful example of "what not to say to get any help."

Here's a suggestion: Do what some of us travel veterans have done for years...FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF. Then you'll fully understand what "small," "clean," "service" and "atmosphere" truly mean.

On second thought take NYCFoodSnob's suggestion-it's excellent for you. <>

hb,

It appears the hotel is the most important part of your stay.

I have a suggestion. Why not visits al nicer hotelds where you live, pick out the nicest and stay there. I wonder if you can get them to charge you in Euros.

Me?

I want fairly 'nice', 'clean', 'nice bathroom', 'A/C' and in a 'good location'.

The hotel is a place to rest up for the next day.

I expected a lot of and witless replies and was not disappointed. It would taken to much maturity for you to have said nothing since you have nothing constructive to say. I suppose that there is no longer any corner of the intenet that is not overrun by adolescents.

Funniest post I ever read here!!
hbarlow comes on and proceeds to insult everyone who ever posted and is totally negative about getting any help, then asks for some anyway. Then after a number of people point that out, hbarlow returs to say, "said nothing if you have nothing constructive to say." Huh??? Too funny. What "constructive" did your post say?

I'd offer help, except I really can't think of a single thing to say about a hotel that wouldn't fall into one of those "meaningless" comments you've described at the beginning. I'm not allowed to describe the size of the rooms, the location, the cleanliness, the staff, the condition. What else is there to describe???

Why don't you just do us all a favor by booking yourself into the Hassler and writing a detailed report when you get back. We'll then glean the proper protocol for posting hotel reviews.

I think you should stay with the Pope.

Dear hb,

If you would reread what you wrote, I think that you will recognize that the responses that you received were far gentler than you deserved.

This is true of your other posts as well.

Oh Ira and Patrick1 You are both treasures! Love Ya!

Hbarlow -- God forbid you should speak your mind -- the Fodor's Clique will pick your bones clean.

As for getting the information you want, just be clear about what you are looking for. I think that the word "clean" shows up a lot, because we have been overwhelmed with reports on TV about just how dirty our own hotels are. Clean becomes something to look forward to.

As for the size of a room -- in my family we use the "can you swing a cat by it's tail without hitting the walls" inquiry? Perhaps a kitten? If your lucky, a lion. All of this helps.

Before going to Paris, I read that the rooms are all very small(in reasonably priced hotels), but ours was large and had a terrace! Who knew.

Don't let the locals get you down. You aren't the first that has been reduced to fish food on this board. I'm sure I'll be next, but I'm not worried. Don't give up though, there is a lot of good info to be found here. Good luck. As for my age, I'm over 22, but that's all I'll admit to.

I don't find that hb was speaking his/her mind only. This person has thrown insults to everyone else here and then had the nerve to ask the same people for "suggestions".

"God forbid you should speak your mind -- the Fodor's Clique will pick your bones clean"

Damn tootin! Just look at my new body. Eat your heart out ChubNuts!

As posted on another thread, in the hope that youe will see it,

Dear NYC,

Have you
a. been tippling a bit too much,
b. forgotten to take your meds,
c. been up too late?

Gee, I am a member of the Fodor clique too? I didn't know or I would have dressed better for the occasion!