jvrab12

Hello All,
I am planning a trip to Rome from Nov 26-Dec 2, I will be traveling alone and it will be my first time in Italy but I have traveled to Europe and Asia. I have the Marriott Grand Hotel Flora booked using points but I am not convinced I want to stay there.
Truth be told, I have not done much research about Rome yet but I will! I am looking for a hotel that is centrally located, has a good concierge and a good hotel bar where I can have a nightcap and feel safe.

All suggestions welcome.

Thank you!

tuscanlifeedit

I was going to recommend the Hotel Portoghesi based on location and price, but really, they don't have a concierge or a bar to speak of. Prime location, though.

kybourbon

You might check these for prices/services. All are Piazza Navona.

http://www.raphaelhotel.com/index.htm

http://www.albergodelsenato.it/

http://www.albergosantachiara.com/english/

>>>has a good concierge<<<

Why?

greg

Unless you have special interest, Pantheon area is as center as you can get to usual attractions as well as access to restaurants. Albergo del Senato, if you can find a room at a rate acceptable to you, is right at that location with helpful concierge and a bar. However, it really does not matter if the hotel has a bar or not. The area is full of restaurants. If you want something at a lower price range, Albergo Cesari is also in the area with concierge and a bar. If you want to visualize the center, draw a 500m circle around Pantheon, and anywhere inside are pretty much in the center. I think you would need to articulate what you meant by being "safe." Safe from what?

Jean

Free is nice, but I'm not a big fan of the location of the Marriot G.H. Flora. It's not close to many sights.

NYCFoodSnob

The Via Veneto is not central enough for me, but free is free. Given what the tiny shoe-box rooms cost in the center, I would arm myself with a cell phone, learn how to call a taxi, and spend my cash on something more worthwhile. The Christmas lights might be up during your dates, and Via Veneto is pretty for Christmas.

Boutique hotels in Rome don't really have a "concierge," as you might imagine one in the American hotel sense. You most likely will find one person at the small front desk who answers all questions and serves you a drink of grappa.

The Italian "bar" scene is very much a part of the culture, and you'll find most of the fun outdoors. Interior hotel bars (if you can find one in the center) are for tired tourists. (There's a livelier bar scene at Hotel De Russie, but you won't find many Italians.)

The Bar Pantheon directly in front of Albergo Senato is about the best seat in the outdoor house. You can sit there and people watch for hours. The Romans turn on their outdoor heaters to keep customers warm. Much more visual fun than sitting in some hotel bar.

If you're young and stylish and appreciate talented mixology, don't miss those handsome, energetic boys at Cybo.

dulciusexasperis

My favourite choice in Rome is the Hotel Isa.
http://www.hotelisa.net/hotel-isa-ro...ican-city.html

nytraveler

IMHO Flora is too far from the real center of Rome. It requires an awful lot of walking up (uphill) the Via Veneto.

I would look for something closer to the center.

fsaitta

Hi,
I haven't been in Rome but have traveled to Europe few times.
I have always found good accommodations at http://www.secretdealshotels.com
They even show you a map of where the Hotels are located.
Give it a try and good luck.

WWK

My favorite hotel is Albergo Del Senato, but if it's too pricey, also look at Hotel Campo di Fiore. Either of these would be a great location, although I have give the edge to the Pantheon location of Albergo Del Senato.

wanderful

I'm a solo male traveler, and I always book a room at Hotel Portoghesi, which is just north of Piazza Navona.

http://www.hotelportoghesiroma.it/

From the hotel, I've taken various walks to the Pantheon, Vatican City, the Spanish Steps, Campo di Fiore, and the Trastevere, indicating that it's quite centrally located.

As someone as remarked, it doesn't have a concierge, though the staff has been helpful enough for me, and it doesn't have a bar, though with Piazza Navona a short and safe walk away, you might not care finally about a hotel bar.

nytraveler

I think a solo female traveler often wants/needs services a guy may not care about.

When I am alone - usually before or after a meeting or congress - I always get a full service hotel. I like the option of a bar and preferably a restaurant/room service - in case I don't want to go out to dinner every night. To me, it;s worth the extra for a full service place. But stayed in the Flora my first time in Rome - and it was a long walk back uphill at the end of the day

NYCFoodSnob

<i><font color=#555555>"it was a long walk back uphill at the end of the day"</font></i>

I imagine everyone's definition of a hill depends on a lot of factors like health and fitness. When compared to any street in San Francisco or Varenna, Via Veneto is flat. I've never found Via Veneto to present much of a walking challenge, and I've never noticed much of an incline.

kybourbon

>>>But stayed in the Flora my first time in Rome - and it was a long walk back uphill at the end of the day<<<

It is uphill (and the Flora is at the top), but there is always the little electric bus (116) that runs through the historic center and up Via Veneto.

http://www.atac.roma.it/files/doc.asp?r=9

There's also a long series of escalators up from the Spanish Steps metro. You eventually have to take a few flights of stairs after the escalators end.

jvrab12

Thank you for the replies everyone! I really appreciate your input!

bobthenavigator

Albergo Cesari !

rineurope

I'm with bobthenavigator - Albergo Cesari is a great value, especially given the location. Not fancy, but it fills the need.

Last time I was there, the management proudly pointed out a framed license in the lobby... Per their claim, it was the first business license issued to a hotel in Rome!

annw

I like the sound of Albergo Cesari.

However, I've stayed at Albergo del Senato several times, including once solo, and it worked out very well for me location-wise.