JaneRebecca

Someone mentioned on another thread that if one joins Hilton HHonors, they, at least, were able to get a greatly reduced rate. I have done this and get no reduced rate. She said that she made a few calls-- to the Hilton mafia? She doesn't say.

The Hilton seems, although dismal, the best choice. 11 a.m. flight to the U.S. Coming from Venice by train the day before. Less stress with shuttles,cabs, trains, limos-- have to be at the airport at 9 a.m. Not much of a morning person. I would like an opinion. I have read all the reviews of every hotel in that area twice and all the fodor's threads. I am struggling with this.

CheBird

Our flights back to the U.S. are always at 7:00 a.m., so we stay at the Hilton the night before. The last time we stayed there, I too was told that our low rate was due to my HH status (I've been an HH member for years, though - not sure if that matters).

I do remember when I booked online I got the "normal" rate and it wasn't until we got to the hotel that they gave me the lower rate, unsolicited. I had no idea to even ask for a lower rate.

I don't know about calling the Hilton mafia. ; ) Maybe Paris or Nicki can help you out.

tcreath

I personally would never give up an evening in Rome to stay at an airport hotel.

My flights from Rome have always been very early (usually around 6:00 or 7:00 am). We just arrange to have a taxi waiting for us. Traffic is virtually non-existent that early in the morning, and it takes maybe 20 minutes to get from, say, Piazza Navona to the airport. For a 7:00 flight, we have the taxi pick us up aroun 5:00 or so. We are at the airport by 5:30, checked in not long after that, and we have less than an hour to kill before we get on the plane. Extremely easy and no hassles. I just don't think that staying at an airport hotel is necessary.

Tracy

Brian_in_Charlotte

I agree. The Hilton is plenty nice, very "Americanized", but pretty expensive for what you get. But I'd never stay there unless I had a VERY early flight or if, as it happened, Air France screwed us up and put us up there for free. You don't even feel like you're in Italy staying there.

If it were me, I'd stay somewhere close to the train station in Rome (easy transfer from the train from Venice, easy transfer to the train to FCO). Walking out of your hotel at 8:00AM should get you to the airport in time.

CheBird

Jane, if you do decide to stay at that Hilton, the free shuttle to and from Rome's city center is very convenient and runs late.

Midnightsun

I'd agree with Brian; staying at the Rome Airport Hilton is not much like staying in Italy, and it isn't the best way to spend your last night in Italy. Carting your luggage through the tubes that connect to the airport isn't exactly a pleasant experience if it has been hot weather, since those passageways retain heat and seem to lack any air conditioning. I'd opt for the taxi out of Rome or check into a hotel (Alimandi near the Vatican is one option) that offers an airport shuttle. If you must stay at the Hilton, dine in Rome and avoid the restaurant. The food is more Italian-American than Italian, wines are hideously overpriced, and the atmosphere is terrible. We ended three weeks in Italy last summer at the Hilton because we had a very early flight (7:00 to Milan) where we connected to our U.S. bound flight), and it wasn't a very good bookend to an otherwise delightful stay in Italy.

JaneRebecca

Wonderful responses thus far. I think you have convinced me to stay in Rome at, perhaps, the Alimandi.

Midnightsun; thank you for that graphic description of schlepping through the tubes; I hadn't thought of that. I am a bit concerned about morning traffic around 8 am but it sounds like the shuttle will be perfect. Isn't the Fodors Forum wonderful? How easily you have solved my problems.