A_Brit_In_Ischia

We've split a couple of our Rome vacations between two bases - the first to try out a "new" area after we'd stayed near the Forum several times, here:

http://www.hotelforumrome.com/

.... the second, after our hotel in the Campo de'Fiori district had no rooms available when we made an impromtu extension to our visit.

Both those occasions involved hotels at at least one end, and even then the process took a while, but with apartments there's lots of extra 'overhead' - meeting the owner's agent, getting and returning keys, handing over and/or retrieving breakages deposits, plus reading appliance instructions, shopping for loo rolls, coffee or whatever - which we prefer not to double up on!

What you might do is have an initial few hotel days (rates for next month are really low, check the hotels' sites rather than looking at 'averaged' figures!), with their Reception staff to call on for help - before moving on to your chosen apartment for a week, once you've found your feet in the city?

Even so, the areas you've been looking at thus far are only separated by a cheap taxi ride - of maybe 10 or 15 minutes.... indeed, all of this covers only 5 square miles:

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/141538449

Peter

annhig

macswim - that agency looks a lot like the one we booked our first Rome apartment with when they were called "italyaccom" i think. If it's the same people they weren't bad to deal with, though the original apartment we booked got cancelled by them, [because the owner withdrew it I think] and we had to be quite firm with them about what we required in a replacement, but in the end we had a fabulous place near the Colosseum.

Sleep in Italy is a very well-regarded agency here.

not quite at the other end of the spectrum is the apartment we rented on our 2nd trip to Rome, which is in a fantastic position near the Piazza Navona, but has been disliked by others because the bedrooms are downstairs - http://lacasadiclelia.webs.com/

we stayed there with our son, then 18, and whilst it's not luxurious, it is perfectly adequate, and very good value.

you could see if there are any reviews for that apartment on Slow travel, who carry a lot of reviews, assuming you haven't already looked there.

I like Peter's idea of staying in a hotel for a few days first, while you find your feet, which you can afford to do with a trip of this length.

goldenautumn

Personally, speaking bluntly, not against other posters' ideas but just the way I see things, I think it is a terrible idea to split up your stay, especially by staying in a hotel your first few days. You don't know if or when jet lag will hit you with a backwash, you will just be getting into your sightseeing stride when you are packing up to move again, but most of all, you'll spend more money on lodgings and get no advantage by moving around the centro storico. Also, just when you could really use some space -- at the beginning, to help get over jet lag -- you will all be cramped into some triple or quad room in a Roman hotel, where hotel rooms are not roomy.

I honestly don't think you need a hotel desk to help you find your feet in the city. You'll have guidebooks, you'll have internet. (Do get an apartment with Wi-fi.) If you really feel you need a hotel desk, look for a family run b&b with a shared bath where your daughter can have her own room.

But I highly recommend you rent an apartment with an uninterrupted stay. In February, there are hundreds of empty ones in Rome.

I had a terrific experience in winter of last year with Rome Loft rental agency. They are English speakers, they take credit cards, they are always available by phone or e-mail and they have lovely, well-appointed apartments at great rates. You should negotiate a price for your extended stay that is lower than the per-night rate.

http://www.romeloft.com/tag/internet/

macswim

I understand the advice and I can see the merits. But with my personallity I would be spending my time looking at all the apartments in Rome before making my mind up instead of just enjoying Rome!

I had not seen romeloft.com before and think I have found a spot in Trastevre! A little more then I want to spend but considering the area and the space, I think it is a great fit, so thank you for sending me that link! It is availalbe and I am just searching to see if there are other reviews other then on romeloft.com before I book. Thanks again.

annhig

macswim - i looked at romeloft.com and they certainly seem to have some lovely place on their books. they've even got one in Via dei Serpenti which is where we stayed on our first visit.

I've never stayed in Trastevere but from what I've seen when I've visited, it would make a terrific base for a longer than normal stay.

sanibella

bookmarking

denisea

We spent 9 nights in Rome last year. Loved it and still didn't see everything!

We took a day trip to Orvieto, half day to Ostia Antica and an afternoon and evening in Tivoli. We were not bored with Rome at all but the trips broke it up and we enjoyed our trip immensely.

If you are still considering hotels at all, look at Albergo del Senato.