Rome Hotel Advice
Jun 17th, 2015, 11:58 AM
#1
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Rome Hotel Advice
We will be in Rome this summer and have narrowed down hotels to either Hotel Campo de Fiori, Albergo del Santo or Hotel Raphael. All 3 are in the vicinity of Navona & Pantheon and all 3 have rooftop patios. Can anyone recommend one over the other? Thanks.
Jun 17th, 2015, 12:08 PM
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I doubt you will find anyone who has stayed at all 3. I've stayed at Albergo del Senato (note spelling!) and didn't care for it (cramped rooms, noisy piazza) and think it has become overpriced, but others like it.
Exclusive rooftop terraces have their appeal, but give some consideration to the idea that the life of Rome is in public spaces, among the Romans. Hotel rooftop bars/terraces are great if you want to yak it up with your fellow tourists, but not as interesting as observing the life of Rome, especially for the daily passeggiata.
Exclusive rooftop terraces have their appeal, but give some consideration to the idea that the life of Rome is in public spaces, among the Romans. Hotel rooftop bars/terraces are great if you want to yak it up with your fellow tourists, but not as interesting as observing the life of Rome, especially for the daily passeggiata.
Jun 17th, 2015, 12:18 PM
#3
Well, the del Senato is in a prime location, right across the road from the Pantheon.
I never stayed at the del Senato, but have used the facilities and the hotel people were jolly good about it.
The Raphael is a beautiful hotel, covered in ivy, located in the mews of the Piazza Navona.
My fav hotel in Rome is the de Russie, but if you are a Marxist you wouldn't enjoy your stay.
Socialists usually resent Hermes bath foam and heated bathroom floors.
Have fun!
Thin
I never stayed at the del Senato, but have used the facilities and the hotel people were jolly good about it.
The Raphael is a beautiful hotel, covered in ivy, located in the mews of the Piazza Navona.
My fav hotel in Rome is the de Russie, but if you are a Marxist you wouldn't enjoy your stay.
Socialists usually resent Hermes bath foam and heated bathroom floors.
Have fun!
Thin
Jun 17th, 2015, 12:52 PM
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I know someone who stays often at the Campo de' Fiori and loves it. They're all out of my price range.
I don't think the Hotel Raphael is in a mews. Maybe you're thinking of the Scuderie del Quirinale.
I don't think the Hotel Raphael is in a mews. Maybe you're thinking of the Scuderie del Quirinale.
Jun 17th, 2015, 01:48 PM
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I have stayed at the Hotel Raphael and loved it. It is tucked away behind the Piazza Navona.
We had one of the Richard Meier rooms and it was lovely, very modern and nicely fitted out. The public rooms of the hotel are old and charming.
We had one of the Richard Meier rooms and it was lovely, very modern and nicely fitted out. The public rooms of the hotel are old and charming.
Jun 18th, 2015, 03:53 AM
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Thanks for the comments. Leaning towards the del Senato purely for the location and views of the Pantheon although the Raphael is tempting. Rooftop patio not all that important but an added bonus late in the day as opposed to relaxing in the room.
Jun 18th, 2015, 05:21 AM
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I did not care for del Senato due to my incredibly small bed and very poor lighting, and yes I am aware that this is typical in many European hotels. I think it is overpriced too.
The location was great and it was nice to look out the window and see the Pantheon.
The location was great and it was nice to look out the window and see the Pantheon.
Jun 18th, 2015, 10:53 PM
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If you're committed to staying in the area, don't completely dismiss the appeal of rooftop bars.
Though the views are little more than OK (Rome's roofs aren't up to the standards of Tuscany or Provence, and if we're being honest a few domes struggling between mobile phone masts, satellite dishes and air conditioning vents aren't most people's dreams of idyllic vistas), the evening passeggiata in the area this summer is a horde of tourists being huckstered by desperate African migrants. The rooftop bars do offer an escape - though at a price (€15 a glass of adequate Frascati at the Raphael. The "free" accompanying nibbles are ghastly and wouldn't be tolerated at the Holiday Inn, Grimsby)
Which said, the Raphael's commitment to vegetarianism means a truly terrific breakfast, exceptionally pleasant staff and just about the most interesting (if, again, far from cheap) hotel restaurant menu I've ever encountered.
As another poster points out, few people here will have stayed in all three: last week was about the fortieth anniversary of my first stay at the Raphael, but I'd have little hesitation staying there again if I ever wanted to stay in the area.
That's highly unlikely in summer though. Much of Rome can either handle crowds or doesn't see them: but that doesn't apply to this part of town in summer any more.
This may not help activetraveler - but the local "horde" problem was hundreds of times less during a November visit a couple of years ago than it was last week.
On the bright side: Santa Maria dell'Anima (the semi-official "German" church) next door, when fully illuminated, has finally converted me to seeing the point of Rome's Baroque churches. I suspect it's fully lit up only during events and Sunday Mass (it's as dull as the others when the lights aren't on), but its illumination shouldn't be missed. Nor should the Caravaggios in St Louis des Francais (the "French" church) 100 yards away.
By some historical quirk, San Nicola dei Lorenesi, right opposite the Raphael, was the official church for pilgrims from Lorraine in the days when Lorraine was the buffer between the aspirations of the King of France and the German Holy Roman Emperor.
All three are terrific, and - except when an oom-pah-pah band provides the music at the Germans' Sunday Mass - almost permanently empty. Almost worth the Raphael's horrible nibbles.
Though the views are little more than OK (Rome's roofs aren't up to the standards of Tuscany or Provence, and if we're being honest a few domes struggling between mobile phone masts, satellite dishes and air conditioning vents aren't most people's dreams of idyllic vistas), the evening passeggiata in the area this summer is a horde of tourists being huckstered by desperate African migrants. The rooftop bars do offer an escape - though at a price (€15 a glass of adequate Frascati at the Raphael. The "free" accompanying nibbles are ghastly and wouldn't be tolerated at the Holiday Inn, Grimsby)
Which said, the Raphael's commitment to vegetarianism means a truly terrific breakfast, exceptionally pleasant staff and just about the most interesting (if, again, far from cheap) hotel restaurant menu I've ever encountered.
As another poster points out, few people here will have stayed in all three: last week was about the fortieth anniversary of my first stay at the Raphael, but I'd have little hesitation staying there again if I ever wanted to stay in the area.
That's highly unlikely in summer though. Much of Rome can either handle crowds or doesn't see them: but that doesn't apply to this part of town in summer any more.
This may not help activetraveler - but the local "horde" problem was hundreds of times less during a November visit a couple of years ago than it was last week.
On the bright side: Santa Maria dell'Anima (the semi-official "German" church) next door, when fully illuminated, has finally converted me to seeing the point of Rome's Baroque churches. I suspect it's fully lit up only during events and Sunday Mass (it's as dull as the others when the lights aren't on), but its illumination shouldn't be missed. Nor should the Caravaggios in St Louis des Francais (the "French" church) 100 yards away.
By some historical quirk, San Nicola dei Lorenesi, right opposite the Raphael, was the official church for pilgrims from Lorraine in the days when Lorraine was the buffer between the aspirations of the King of France and the German Holy Roman Emperor.
All three are terrific, and - except when an oom-pah-pah band provides the music at the Germans' Sunday Mass - almost permanently empty. Almost worth the Raphael's horrible nibbles.
Jun 19th, 2015, 02:11 AM
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Yet another reason I don't like rooftop bars or hotel bars in general in Italy. It is where you will find the racists and bigots hanging out, trying to bend your ear with complaints about the foreigners spoliing their vacation. I'd just rather be with today's Rome.
Jun 19th, 2015, 10:06 AM
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I actually considered all 3 of those hotels you mentioned and researched them. I narrowed it to Campo De' Fiori and Albergo Del Senato. Both seemed wonderful and had a rooftop terrace. In the end, I decided to go with Albergo Del Senato because of the location and I though being at the Pantheon just seemed to surreal. I read alot of TA reviews, and many say that the noise is not bad with the renovations. Plus..I really liked the looks of their rooftop terrace.
Jun 19th, 2015, 11:26 AM
#16
The rooftop bars do offer an escape - though at a price (€15 a glass of adequate Frascati at the Raphael. The "free" accompanying nibbles are ghastly and wouldn't be tolerated at the Holiday Inn, Grimsby)>>
I hope you said as much on TA, flanner, though I have to say that you are clearly more familiar with the nibbles on offer at hotels in Grimsby than I am.
I hope you said as much on TA, flanner, though I have to say that you are clearly more familiar with the nibbles on offer at hotels in Grimsby than I am.
Jun 19th, 2015, 11:43 AM
#17
Stayed at Albergo del Senato years ago and it was great then. We had a few really nice rooms on the upper floors; cannot speak for all the rooms in the hotel. We also rented an apartment right behind the Raphael in the past, overlooking the Bramante chiostro. That was convenient, though I actually prefer being closer to the river, sort of "behind and above" Campo dei Fiori, near the St. George than the Navona area.
Nowadays I probably wouldn't plonk myself down right in the thick of things, but that's because I've been to Rome often. As a new visitor, it can be nice to be right there.
My Fantasy Hotel:
http://www.villaspalletti.it/en/
Enjoy your trip, wherever you stay.
Nowadays I probably wouldn't plonk myself down right in the thick of things, but that's because I've been to Rome often. As a new visitor, it can be nice to be right there.
My Fantasy Hotel:
http://www.villaspalletti.it/en/
Enjoy your trip, wherever you stay.
