Rome hotels on our own
 

Looks like we are going to take the task of booking our Rome hotel on ourselves rather than have the travel agent handle. She had recommended the River Palace at a cost of $430.US per night. Her first recommendation was Empire Palace Hotel at $570.US per night. I found River Palace on Expedia and Hotels.com for $302.US per night. I'd also looked at Capo D'Africa but that cost is $400.US per night probably out of our price range. I didn't find the River Palace available on Venere.com

Any comments on the River Palace? I've never booked a hotel on either of these websites, usually book direct with the hotel but River Palace website is not very user friendly and I couldn't figure out how to check rates there.

We have a group of 8 and need 4 rooms. Our dates are May 10th & 11th. We'd like to be able to walk to most sites. Thank you for your responses.

I recommend Venere.com.. I have tried them and have been pleased..I have only had the 2 star B & B's too..good luck !

What is the price range you would be most comfortable with per night?

Paige, the River Palace is north of Piazza del Popolo, which is taking you pretty far out of the center.

May is soon, for booking 4 rooms. I put your dates in venere.com and came up with some options. You can try it, but check each location on their provided maps. Two nights isn't very many and you don't want to be spending a lot of time getting to and from your hotel.

Check the Trevi, Pantheon and Navona areas on venere.com.

I would like to keep the rate around $300.US per night. So you think Venere.com is the best site for booking Rome hotels? What about the individual hotel's website?

Paige,

I have never heard of River Palace or Empire Palace.
I would suggest you deal directly with the hotel , unless the rate in Venere is more advantageous.
Also, be careful with Expedia, I think some of their "deals" are charged to your credit card 100% as soon as you make the reservation and some of them might be totally non refundable.
Hotels cancellation policies are usually 24-48 hrs prior for big hotels, but always confirm their policy with them.

Why don't you look into the Hotel Dei Mellini, it is a 4 star hotel and it is a "sister" hotel to Capo D' Africa but IMO it is in a better location.
We stayed there a couple of years ago for a week and were vey happy with it.

Their website is www.hotelmellini.com and their rates depending on type of room are between 200-250 euros.

Everyone raves about Albergo del Senato which is across from the Pantheon. Do a search here for more information.

You can use venere.com to check availability quickly and easily for a number of hotels. You input your dates, room requirements and area of the city. You'll then get a list of available hotels that meet your criteria, with prices. You can then go directly to individual hotel websites to doublecheck rates, and you can choose to book via the hotel website or through venere.
- Marie

Hotel Dei Mellini looks wonderful but website says no rooms available for our dates. I've also heard good things about Albergo del Senanto but they may be out of our price range.

Albergo Del Senato is wonderful, but it may be over your budget. In that same neighborhood, try the Santa Chiara or Albergo Caesari.

Also look into Hotel San Carlo near the Spanish Steps, and Hotel Mozart, which also has rents some apartments that may work out well for your family.

Hi P,

The Del Senato has gotten very good reviews here.

Rates are about 150E and up for a double.

See www.albergodelsenato.it/

((I))

It has been years since I have seen the Del Senato for under 200Euro. Best rates in winter have been running 225E or so and they quoted me a "special" rate in late October for 4 rooms no view guaranteed for 310 per night, 340E with a view.

I love this hotel but it no longer is affordable for my budget.

Paige, we liked the Santa Chiara very much and thought the location near Piazza Navona was one of the nicest places to be in Rome. The hotel itself is on a very narrow one-way street which limits traffic and street noise, but is literally around the corner from what feels like a wonderful Roman fiesta....if I can mix metaphors linguistically!! :)

We paid around $200 dollars/night in 2000, so I would think (hope?) you could book it for ~$300 now??

PS Even when a website shows fully booked, sometimes you can call....I think some of the hotels do not want to have all their bookings done on line and may "save" some for the more assertive customers, who may be less likely to abruptly cancel....just a thought....

I may try calling some that are showing full. Venere.com gave me 127 choices that show available for our dates. I narrowed it down to a dozen to follow up on. I avoided anything listed in the area near the train station. Was that a wise choice?

Can anyone comment on these hotels: The Duke, Duca d'Alba, Faffaello, Internazionale, Colosseum and Miami? That's have my list to pursue

I wonder if Santa Chiara didn't show up as available or if it was over my budget. I'll check it out also. So sad that Albergo d'Senato is so expensive now....

I agree with cruiseluv's caution. Expedia will charge your credit card for the full payment. Their price also does not include taxes or service fees, and they would also charge you a $26 cancellation fee.

Hotels.com also charges you the whole bundle upfront, adds some hefty booking fees, and has the same cancellation fee.

River Palace has a 260 EUR Promotional Bed and Breakfast rate *including tax* (and no prepayment requirement) that should be available on their website.

Looks like Santa Chiara has their own site where you can inquire directly via computer to the hotel re:availabity and rates:

www.albergosantachiara.com/

Paige, you asked about the Faffaello but I think you mean the Raffaello, which is the sister hotel to the Senato. It has excellent word of mouth and while it is not as well located as the Senato, it is much less expensive.

I agree with checking the San Carlo and also suggest the Internazionale de Montecitorio, which is NOT the same as the International. The latter is on via del Corso and gets mixed reviews on tripadvisor.com.

The problem with a TA is that they don't deal with smaller hotels. Although at this late date, and considering the number of rooms you need, you can't spend too much time chasing small hotels, either.

You may consider the Barberini which showed availability for four rooms on your dates. Not ideal, but it will do in a pinch.

San Carlo and Montecitorio would be where I'd check first. Ideally located and big enough that they may 4 rooms for your dates.

I checked Albergo Santa Chiara website as suggested by social worker and got a quick email response from the hotel. Looked great and they have availability but unfortunately at rate of 365E per night which is out of our budget. Raffaello is what I was referring to in earlier post and venere.com shows it's available but the hotel website says it's not. San Carlo's website showed availability but price was about $40 higher per room per night than venere.com. This is very confusing! I will continue my search and appreciate any additional suggestions or comments.

That was 365 euros/room when you are booking 4 rooms? Ouch!! It is a great hotel but that price seems outrageous!! Good luck in your searching.