Hi all -
We are planning our first ever Italy trip for late September, early October. I've researched the heck out of this and have a short list of hotels with availability

Hotel Locarno
Albergo Santa Chiara
Hotel San Carlo

I feel like tossing a coin or doing rock-paper-scissors at this point, so I'm hoping a Fodorite vote will help me.....

Grazie!

I have stayed at the San Carlo several years ago and was NOT happy with it. I know they receive high marks both on this board and also trip advisor. But the staff were completely incompetant, the breakfast was a joke (bad coffee and no espresso/capuccino in Italy???!!!) and the location right near the Spanish Steps was not the best. I don't know about the other hotels, but I personally will be staying in the Pantheon/Piazza Navona next time I am in Rome (in a few months). There are many many good, not terrible expensive hotels there. People on this board have favorably written about Portoghesi, Teatro Pace, Teatro de Pompe, and many others. If you do a search, you may find many of them here. Good luck.

Have stayed at the Santa Chiara on three occasions, the last about two years ago. Obviously I was pleased enough that I returned.

The rooms were small but ok with very nice bathrooms with stall showers. The location, in my opinion, was choice, right in back of the Pantheon. I don't recall the rate but it seemed quite competitive for a three star hotel in a convenient location.

Okay, I just added a 4th one to my short list.

Hotel San Francesco in Trastavere seems to have availability for our nights.

Thanks for the input so far.

We stayed at the Hotel Locarno last summer and at the Hotel Santa Maria this past April. We truly liked both hotels, even tho they are quite different, but similar in that they are not in the Centro Storico, which was not a problem for us, we enjoyed the walking. The Locarno, near the Piazza del Populo, was quaint, art-deco and had a lovely breakfast garden, and a creaky lift to the 4th floor. Equally charming is the Trastevere area, near the Jewish quarter - the Hotel Santa Maria is an an oasis of quiet in a bustling quarter, small, one story around a courtyard - also has a wonderful breakfast, also served in the garden in nice weather. Think it would depend on location, but again, I would stay at either one in the future.

Hotel Santa Maria was actually at the top of my desired hotel list, but unfortunately, was fully booked. Waaah.

My husband and I just stayed at the San Francesco in Rome last month. We were a little concerned because it's across the Tiber in Trastevere, but once we got there we were so happy we stayed there. You have to walk so much in Rome anyway the distance really didn't matter and the food was WAY better and MUCH less expensive then in the more touristy areas. The hotel is very nice. The room was small but the bathroom was spacious. Good breakfast and great staff. Plus they have a very cool rooftop bar. I would definitely recommend staying there!

Hate to add to your search troubles but have you thought about an apartment for that length of time? Try http://sleepinitaly.com/files/apt_roma.html#sleeps2 and even if the apartment says 7 night minimum, ask anyhow for 4. I love having an apartment in rome and in venice - extra space to unwind between outings, cook own breakfast, etc.