Fodorites, <BR>I'm putting together a 10 or 11 night tour of Rome for May 2002 and need some help in choosing a hotel/area to stay. We are going to divide the stay between two hotels. The second half will be around the Piazza Navonne area in order to enjoy the night life (hotels Due Torri or Santa Clara). The first <BR>half is where I am having trouble. We want to be closer to the Palatino area and the Metro for side excursions and the Vatican. After a great deal of research I've come up with two hotel/B&B's that seem excellent but I cannot get any info on them (beyond their web pages). They are not in the Fodor search engine. The hotels are Hotel Lancelot and the Colosseum B & B. Both are located on Via Capo D'Africa just west of the Colosseum. Is this a safe, nice, quiet area? Or should I just cut the trip by one day, pay the extra $40 per night and go out to the Aventine area and stay at the Sant Anselmo? My wife and I have a bad time with jet lag (we've tried everything but nothing helps) and need a quiet place until our bodies adjust. <BR>Any info you can give me regarding these establishments (beyond their web pages) and the area they are in would be greatly appreciated. <BR>Peace <BR> <BR>

Trip budget aside, I'd not change hotels in mid-trip, especially not to be closer. It's hard to get more central than the Navona/Pantheon area. If you want to be a bit closer to transport you could mosey over to a hotel a bit closer to the Senate/House of Deputies/Piazza Colonna. <BR> <BR>As it is, from Navona or the Pantheon to the Forum is maybe 1500-2000 yards, perhaps less than a mile. <BR> <BR>Perhaps the map at <BR>www.twenj.com/rometwob.htm#map will help you see Rome's layout, and the relatively compact area of most interest. <BR> <BR>I think you'd find the Aventine somewhat lovely but a bit sterile for the tourist, and more sterile yet anywhere near the Colosseum. <BR> <BR>Change if necessary for reasons like economics, but keep your eye on staying central, and where there's life on the streets in the evening. (Lots of places where the streets are alive in without blaring horns, noisy honkytonks, etc. ... just people strolling, perhaps cafe tables at sidewalk here and there.) <BR> <BR>twenj

If you're going to be in Rome for 10 or 11 nights, you may want to consider an apartment. Try typing "Rome apartment" into the search engine.

The main reason for splitting up the trip between two hotels is past experience. We have had some bad hotel experiences in London, Galway and Paris. We would hate to be stuck in a hotel we weren't very happy with for the entire 10 days. The second reason is cost related. I figure I can afford a better place around the Navone area (maybe Pantheon or Nationale ) if I can save a bit on the first half. <BR>Thanks for input, <BR>lee

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Lee: We did a similar trip in May 2000, we spent 11 nights, the first 4 in Rome on the Via Veneto, the next 3 in Florence, and the last 4 back to Rome near the Panetheon. Staying at 2 hotels is in my opinion a lot more interesting than spending 11 nights in the same hotel. Different hotel, different local, different breakfasts, makes it seems like a different city and it's a great idea to stay at the better hotel on the last half. You might want to consider a few days in Florence but in any event I think the idea of breaking the stay in 2 is a good one. <BR> <BR>Unfortunately I can't comment on hotels but have fun whatevery you decide.

I can wholeheartedly recommend the Hotel Palatino in Rome at 213 Via Cavour, stayed there Aug 4-Aug 9. Only 3 blocks from Forum/Colosseum. Staff is friendly and efficient. Breakfast was great. Via Cavour is a very busy street so ask for a room not facing the street. <BR> <BR>Final tip: Across the street from hotel are some steps that look like they lead to an alley. Take them up to a square with a church that has Michelangleo's Moses statue. No crowds, no entrance fees.

Thanks for teh suggestions. I'll look at soem of these hotels as well. However, isn't anyone out there familiar with either of the two places I mentioned (Lancelot & Colosseum B & B) or that section of Rome? <BR>Thanks, <BR>lee

Topping <BR>Last try.

Lee, <BR> <BR>I've stayed at Hotel Palatino last year and it was very good. I also stayed at Hotel Genova. It is just up Via Cavour from Hotel Palatino right by the train terminal. <BR>Enjoy

The Via Cavour area may be a bit too noisy for you. Have you considered the Vatican area? It gets pretty quiet at night.