Hello Fodorites,

Again I need your advice. Four friends and I are considering a trip to Rome in the fall of 2004 and are just beginning to research the possibilities.

We have been thinking of renting a villa just outside Rome, but worry about the logistics of traffic entering the city. None of us have been to Rome before and do not know what Roman public transit is like. Would it be better to rent an apartment in the city or a hotel suite big enough for 5? I should also mention that two of my friends are not as accustomed to "budget accommodations" as I am.

I welcome any comments and recommendations you might have. We know that there are many internet sites for renting villas, etc., but don't know which ones are the best.

Mille Grazie!

Get an apartment in Rome. Go to slowtrav.com for some referrals.

RE: recommendations on comanies that book villas; we have been very happy with Parker Company. The best part of their service is the fantastic "magalogue" of villas, apts and houses that they publish.

a good place to look for an apt.rental in Rome is-
www.italian-itineraries.com
I have used them twice and had very good luck!

another rental for rome is
www.sleepinitaly.com
I have not done an apt. through them but did use them for a B&B in Florence.

Have fun!!!!

an advantage to an apartment is you have room to spread out, and you can do meals at "home"
a disadvantage, esp. if thjis is your first time,

you may not get the benefits that a concierage (sp.) can give you as far as recommondations, etc.

My family has done both,
for this current trip
(only 8 more days to go !!)
we are renting.

Have lots of fun planning .

4 of us stayed in a family suite at the Santa Chiara hotel. It was a 2 room suite, 1 room had a double bed and the other had 2 twins. I think a rollaway would fit in (if the hotel has them). Down the hall from us was a larger accommodation, an apartment type setup that a family of 5 was staying in. It's a very nice hotel located behind the Pantheon. I think if you plan on visiting the sites of Rome, you should stay in the city (preferaby the historic center area, pantheon/p. navona/c. fiori).

I definitely second the recommendation to stay inside the city. Roman traffic is horrendous (especially in the periphery). In the last five years, Rome has developed an American-style sprawl problem and the traffic issues that go along with that. The pub transit is great inside the city, but not as good from the suburbs and strikes shut the whole thing down on a regular basis.

Renting apartments are spacious and economical but you will be "on your own" in terms of no concierge to make suggestions or reservations or call you a cab. If you can deal with that, go for it. In addition to the others mentioned above, try: www.romanreference.com and www.cross-pollinate.com.

If not, my family and I (5) stayed at the Pantheon View around the corner from the Pantheon. They are very small, but have several larger rooms. We stayed in a suite for a double and a single, plus another double. They also have one large room for 5 people, I think (not sure of this). You should know, however, that there was no actual view of the Pantheon that we could see, but it is extremely close.

Stay in Rome -- my first visit was with a group and we stayed outside of the city. Big hassle getting to/from plus none of the excitement of actually being in Rome. Please get an apt or a suite or adjoinging rooms -- you won't regret it. Save the villa for Tuscany/Umbria or Provence.

Have you considered that all five of you would have to share a bathroom? Even if you rent an apartment, I would consider that.

No contest here...you must stay in Rome. The outskirts of Rome could be anywhere and don't have the look and feel of what Rome is really like. After the ride from the airport, we were ecstatic when we arrived in our hotel's neighborhood...narrow streets, cafes, family churches, cobblestone roads....just amazing.

Have you considered renting two smaller rooms instead of one large one? With two rooms, you would have two bathrooms (excellent observation by marty), and it would be much easier to find something to your liking...you would have a greater selection of hotels.

Rome is a fabulous city. Have fun planning.

If you get a double and a triple in fairly nice hotel, your two friends who are not accustomed to "budget" could share, and the then the other three could split the triple and save some money.

Thanks one and all for the great tips! I am passing your recommendations along to my friends. It does seem that having 2 rooms or perhaps a larger apartment with 2 baths in Rome itself is the way to go. Now I am getting all excited just thinking about being right there ... in Rome!

Larger apts. are not very easy to find in Rome.
I do suggest that you look at the site I mentioned, Italian Itineraries.

we got a great 4 bedroom - 2 bath apt 2 yrs go, unfortunately it is off the market now.

So,for this yr, we are renting the place they list as Pazza Grande.
It is the one that is 2 apts that can be combined as one,
with movable walls, each apt. having one double bedroom, a full bathrm. and smaller bathrm, a kitchen and a LR/DR with double pullout couch.
Plus each has a terrace.
washer/dryer/AC.

I am not sure of your sleeping arrangements but it may work out for you esp. as larger places really are difficult to find.

We will be there in July for 5 nights.
If you are interested you can contact me at my screen name @sover.net mid July and I will let you know what I thought.

OK I GOT IT!

check out this place...

http://www.palazzo-olivia.it/inglese...zzo_index.html

I was just there dropping off something for a client and it is beautiful. Great location, gorgeous apartments, a "concierge-type" person to help you.

Maybe get 2 apartments for extra space although the 2 bedroom one I saw had 2 baths as well.

The place is nicer than the pictures. I swear.

Good Luck getting in!