We will be in Rome for four days in late September. We wish to stay near the Vatican. Where do you recommend?

Lynda: <BR> <BR>Try giving your reasons why you want to stay near the Vatican(not the most convenient area) and the type of hotel(budget, average, upscale--price range) you are looking for and you may get more answers. There are many hotels in different price ranges and types in all tourist areas of Rome.

We have a friend who is at the American College near the Vatican so it will be more convenient for us. Probably a three or four star hotel with air. European cities are too noisy to leave windows open!

The American College is that big building on the hill to the south that you can see from St. Peters Square. There is a beautiful view from up there that your friend will hopefully show you. <BR>It would be very convenient to any on the hotels on the Via della Cons1liazione, the main street that leads to the Vatican. (eg Hotel Columbus which gets guide book recomendations.) This is a somewhat busy and noisey street. <BR>Also convienient would be anything accross the river in the Piazza Navona area as this is just a few blooks away. There are many hotels in this area recommended on this forum and elsewhere. You could try a search on the forum. Or, I'm sure your friend may be able to recommend something for you. The area North of the Vatican would be farther away and less convenient that the Piazza Navona area. <BR> <BR>Any thoughts out there? <BR> <BR>Gerry

My friend recommends the Michelangelo. This is a four star hotel close by. Has anyone heard of this place.

We stayed at the Michaelangelo a number of years ago. Of course, things could have changed, but at that time it was a good hotel--good enough that we stayed there 3 or 4 times. Clean, neat, personable staff. If your friend recommends it and it is within your price range, I'd go for it.

Lynda, <BR> <BR>We stayed at the Hotel Spring House, just about 6 blocks from the Vatican. We walked everywhere except Trestevere are which we got to by cab. There were 3 of us and it cost about $100. a night. The room was nice w/ a full bath and the staff was very helpful. <BR>There are more convenient areas to stay but again, we walked to everyplace we wanted from that location. <BR>Their website is www.hotelspringhouse.com

Lynda: <BR> <BR>Starhotel Michelangelo would be a perfect location for you. It is one of the hotels used by Perillo tours(and others). I'm sure it it's a fine choice.

I'm considering staying at a hotel near the Vatican as well. It's just south on a street called S.Onofrio, near Piazza D'Rovere. The hotel is called La Rovere. Has anyone heard of it or the area? Thank you! <BR> <BR>Nicki