We are a family of 7 that will be spending 2 nights in Rome August 2008. My research has found Hotel Oceania has availability and is within our budget (approx. 400 Euros per night). Has anyone stayed and could you please share your thoughts. My dad has difficulty walking, especially steps. Will this be a problem? If you could tell me about the location - is it close to places like Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, etc., etc. Your replies are greatly appreciated!

It's fine so far as safety. Using mappy.com, it is 1 km from the Trevi Fountain, which is actually closer than I expected. The Pantheon will be about another 10 minutes walk, and from there about 5 minutes to Piazza Navona. The Spanish Steps is about 1.30 km from that hotel. The COlosseum is about 2 km.

A middle-aged person of normal fitness probably would not have any problems here, but I think it might be too much for your dad to walk everywhere. You might want to see how close the hotel is to bus stops. The metro might be a bit much for your dad.

If you did get a location near the Pantheon, for example, you'd be more centrally located, but the price would likely jump tremendously unless you stayed in a convent.

The location is OK - it's about 1/2 mile walk to either the Trevi Fountain or the Spanish Steps.

With a larger budget, I might have suggested a location both west of Via del Corso and east of the Tiber river (which would likely be over 400E for seven people) but for your situation, I think Hotel Oceania will be just fine.

Don't discount the the idea of taking taxis to get around - I would split up and have a few (including Dad) take the taxi while the remainder enjoy the walk and sights along the way. A taxi will usually be around 5 euro within central Rome.

Check out http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/ for hotel reviews and lots of other information.

Be sure the place you reserve has an elevator. Many places do not.

Charnee

Oceania, was years back a Pensione. I understand it has been renovated and now it is called Hotel Oceania.- If I remember correctly it is a an nice building and there are steps from the street to the elevator.
So better check with them regarding these steps. They surely can tell you how many they are.
Location is good. It is in Via Firenze across the stree there is the Ministry of the Interior, well lighted and lots of policemen which is good.

Sorry I meant to say it occupies a floor in a nice old building.

this may not be kosher--but check out the tripadvisor.com site for Rome and Hotel Oceania--I am sure there are some current reviews for it and there are also some postings for how to travel in Rome when you are accompanied with someone who has difficulty walking, as you mention your father does.