Rome...accomodation and dining advice
 

We are a family of 5 adults who will visit Rome in June. We are looking for clean comfortable accomodation without paying over the top. Any suggestions?

Also interested to hear of any restaurant suggestions avoiding the mainstream expensive places but not too far off the beaten track,

Thanks,

Please define "over the top." How much do you wish to spend? For 5 adults are you considering apartments? June is soon !

First, you need to be much more specific about a couple of things:

How many hotel rooms do you need (5 adults can not share a room - usually 3 is the most, with one on a cot) -so you will need either multiple rooms or a larger apartment. And what is "not paying over the top?" - we don;t know where you're from or what kind of prices you're used to. Or what you may be willing to give up (AC, elevator, private bath) to get a lower price.

Rome has thousands of restaurants - and except for a few very upscale and another not too may tourist traps (right near major sights with menus in 10 languages and/or pictures of the food) you can expect good food. The menu outside will give you prices - if you're unwilling to give us a price range.

You really need to give more info if you want us to help.

I just booked my accommodations in Rome. Here is what I found:

a hotel in the center of Rome,walking distance to everything for $104/night, including taxes etc. I think it has free internet. The pictures look really nice but I am prepared for it to be misleading at this price.

I also found another place that is not as central but still close enough to everything and it looks very very nice, for 100 euros per night. I think it is rated 4 stars and it actually looks it. It is called the Palm Gallery hotel. It is reportedly 1.2 miles from the Spanish Steps. Their rates are so good because they just opened in late 2009.

here are the links:

http://www.palmgalleryhotel.com/pgh/...lng=en&id=home

http://www.hiberiahotelrome.com/

I have to disagree that Palm Gallery is close enough to everything. It's a long way from most of what you will want to see.

As others have mentioned, give a price per night and other requirements to get useful information.

We tracked down a cycling shop in the area of the Palm Gallery Hotel, and it didn't feel "close" at all. It wouldn't feel so remote if there was a metro stop nearby, which there isn't.

ncounty,

I actually stayed at the Hotel Hiberia for one nt on my last trip! It was quite nice and the location is fabulous for walking everywhere. Via XXIV Maggio

I stayed 5 nts at the Hotel Giardino Rome across the street earlier in my trip, then was supposed to return for a final nt before the flight back but there was a problem with plumbing and Katie arranged for me to stay at the Hiberia for the same rate. It's a nice hotel. Can't say how breakfast was because I had to leave before they even put it out. Are you solo this time? That's a good rate for a double room.

There is a very good, very authentic Roman ristorante nearby, just down from the Quirrinale, Ristorante Schramburg (SP?). Loved it! Ask them for directions, it's on the via of the same name and across from the Pasta Museum!

Buon viaggio!

The Palm Gallery Hotel is NOT in the center of Rome. It is very far from most tourist attractions.

Thin

Thanks so much, Dayle! It looks quite fine; the reviews are okay and not commensurate with the pictures which look great, to me.

The Palm Gallery states they are 1.2 miles from the Spanish steps. While that is not right in the center of Rome, I don't consider it very far either. Am I missing something here?

okay, I went back and reread my original post and understand now the confusion. The hotel I first described as being in the center of Rome (which I failed to directly name) was the Hibernia. The next paragraph was where I mention the Palm Gallery which I state is not as central or well located but still within a reasonable distance for me. The niceties and style for the price make up for the location, for me.

I am going with my son, Dayle. I am so excited for him; he is very much into Roman history.

sorry for not being more specifio. I guess its because good value is more important than absolute cost. somewhere in the region of 200 euro per night would be fine and happy to consider an apartment.

Palm Gallery Hotel is a little bit optimistic. Enter the locations into Google, and you can see that the walking distance between the hotel and the Spanish Steps is 2.4 km, or 1.5 miles.

The best case scenario, I suspect, would be to get a bus to Termini, and then a bus or metro to your next destination. The problem with being out on the edge, like you are with Palm Gallery Hotel, is that you cannot easily go back to your room during the day. Although the stated walking time between the Spanish Steps and the hotel is 35 minutes, you'll be visiting other parts of Rome that are somewhat further away. Traffic is often gridlocked in Rome, and there are lots of crowds, and you can't just zip through like you were either racewalking or driving in easy suburban traffic. You have to stop and wait for traffic to cross streets, which can take a while.

Rome can be tiring, so being able to go back to your hotel for a rest can make all the difference, in my opinion.

Also note that the Palm Gallery hotel is not that near the metro -- maybe about a 15 minute walk to the nearest one. So the metro won't be of too much use for saving time.

you could look at vrbo.com. I saw many beautiful places that are within that price range. It would probably be the best value for a group of 5.

thanks WillTravel. I am undecided about it at this time. If I were solo it would be no problem; I have tremendous endurance and could easily stay there. I have my 13 yo son with me however so it is harder to predict. I would think we could head out for the day, return in mid to late afternoon for a two hour siesta then head out for the evening for dinner. The reviews on Tripadvisor are outta control; really the best and most consistent I've read; many comments that it was the highlight of their trip.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...ome_Lazio.html

Oh, and the pictures are gorgeous, the service sounds amazing and did I mention I am only paying 100 euros per night? That could cover some cab fare if needed.

I think it is very close to several bus stops even though the nearest metro stop is about 1 km away.

The reviews do sound good, but it is a bit unusual for a small hotel to get 10 perfect reviews in a space of three weeks.

ncounty - The rate you mentioned, is that for the Hiberia (I see much higher rates)? The link you posted for the hotel doesn't appear to be the official hotel website (rolls over to booking.com), but one of those hijack type websites (hotel name rearranged).
http://www.hotelhiberia.it/
http://www.hotelhiberiarome.com/

>>I think it is very close to several bus stops even though the nearest metro stop is about 1 km away.<<<

With only two days, I would stay central as it will take more time to taxi/bus than what you think.

>>>Although the stated walking time between the Spanish Steps and the hotel is 35 minutes<<<

I suspect it would take quite a bit longer on the return as it will be uphill.

chadwick, I hope you are still following here. I think your family would be happy in an apartment. We will be staying here in September: http://tinyurl.com/2f7hcte

You not only get two or three bedrooms, you also get a living room, a kitchenette, and more than one bathroom in some apartments.

chadwickap - How many nights will you be in Rome? Many apartments require at least 3 nights.

You also asked for recommendations for restaurants. I have to recommend this one http://www.giggetto.it/index.html It's in the Jewish Ghetto behind Teatro Marcello and not far from Campo de Fiore. If you like artichokes you will love this place. Then you can walk through the ruins right next to it and the museum:
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/desti...aly/ghetto.htm

Sunday afternoon it's very popular with locals. I had the pasta with artichoke. You could taste the olive oil in the bread and the house wine was perfect.

Hello. We just got back from Rome and stayed at Hotel Campo de Fiori. We rented one of their apartments; it was 290 Euro for 5 adults. The Campo was noisy and very lively. Transportation was close. We walked to the Trevi fountain, Colosseum; Vatican, if energetic. It was our first time, but a fun experience!