tuscanlifeedit; Please don't lump TA's into one group. SOME might not look at smaller hotels; some are conscientious and look at what suits a clients tastes and budget. And it truly is impossible to know of every hotel listed in every city in the world. I'm sure you would agree that's a tall order.

PaigeS; if you are still interested in the Capo D'Africa, they have a Run of House rate of $272.01 per night that they are currently offering with a 24 hr cancellation policy. Deposit not required. Might be worth looking into.

I'd try Hotel Portoghesi near Piazza Novona. We have a room booked for may for about $200 per night. Stayed there several years ago and were pleased and checked comments on Slowtravel and other sites and it still gets good reviews. They have their own web site. Just Google it.

You can look further into these... the first 3 show availability of 4 doubles/twin on your dates.

Hotel les Chambres d'Or (Vatican)
http://chambresdor.hotelinroma.com/
Doubles 180E / website shows avail. for 4 dbls/separate beds

Hotel Canova (Cavour)
http://www.canovahotelroma.it/en/index.htm
Doubles 135E / 4 rooms avail - doesn't specify twins so call them

Hotel Dorica (Repubblica/Termini)
http://www.hoteldorica.com/en/
Doubles 145E and 165E / 4 rooms avail - doesn't specify twins

Hotel Condotti (P. de Spagna)
http://www.hotelcondotti.com/en/
Reservation form, not immed. feedback
Doubles/Twins - standard 179-259E, superior 209-289E

I'm also looking at making my own hotel reservation for Rome. I've looked at the websites mentioned by other posters here. They are very helpful. What I found even more helpful is reading the comments made by folks who stayed at the hotels on the website. Read them before making a final decision. For one, I am finding that many hotels have a one person lift where you can barely get a bag in it with you. And that many hotels are on second, third floors. Also that purchasing a complimentary breakfast means having to go a block down the road to have it while standing in line. Perhaps skip that breakfast. I'm enjoying reading the responses here as they help me with my difficulties finding that one hotel that fits my needs and not too costly.
Wishing you all a great day.

In Rome I stayed at the Hotel Urbis..without a bathroom or breakfast for 84 E - 2 nights ( March 2004)...I would stay there again..reasons: across from the train station = very convenient, it was on the 2nd floor, I felt very safe..and they had free internet..The bathroom was immaculate.. true it was only a 2 star but all I wanted was a bed/shower...You could see this hotel from inside the train station, you cross the street and you are there..If you decide what area you want to stay in, consider the means of getting there from the airport or train station, and what dollar amount that is going to cost, then the amount you want to spend on a room, that together should narrow your choices. I think the 2 stars are the way to go and nothing higher...I have yet been discouraged, disappointed or disgusted with any 2 star and I have done a Europe trip every year for 12 years. The less I spend on a room, the more I can do and the longer I can stay. Good Luck though - I hope you have a great trip.

Thanks travelnut and frugal, but I think we are looking for something a little nicer than your suggestions. Most certainly we want private bathrooms. The four choices provided by travelnut were pretty far down on the list at tripadvisor.com.

I think we should be able to fine something in the historical area where we can walk to most sites, have private, bathrooms and not spend more than $300. per night.

ok... I thought price was an issue, that's why I found those.. I skimmed TA review 'headings' to see if I should throw out any. I don't go by 'ratings' as they don't mean anything.

$300 = 232E, which the 1st and last of my suggestions fit ...

You asked about Hotel Miami - deep down in the reviews (TA and Venere), there are some comments about it that made me discard it for my own trip.

Hi Paige
You mentioned a price difference at the San Carlo, between their own website and venere.com. If venere.com is cheaper, then go for it. A well located hotel for May 2007 with 4 doubles available isn't going to be that easy.

Someone mentioned the Portoghesi, where we have stayed more than a few times, but I didn't list it because it is a small and popular hotel and I doubted that you could get four rooms for May, but if you can, do.

I repeat my suggestion for the International de Montecitorio. Very well located and prices within your range. Also the possibility of enough rooms being available.

Also, I did not mean to disparage all TAs. I have not yet found one willing to research smaller hotels and do the same kind of work that posters here do, without an additional fee. Of course they can't all know hotels in every city. PaigeS's TA's recs are typical of those that I hear of, or have been given. I'm sure there are TAs out there who could do better.

tuscanlifeedit, thank you so much for the recommendation of Hotel Portoghesi. I too had not considered the smaller hotels for the reason you mentioned. I used their online reservation request and am awaiting a reply. I assume that will come via email. It looks like an excellent choice. I did check the International de Montecitorio but it either didn't fit our budget or had no availability.

AARRGGHH! Everything in our price range appears to be fully booked. I sent emails today to Hotel Portoghesi, Albergo Santa Chiara, Residneza Antica Roma and all replied "fully booked" Still waiting for response from Colonna Palace, Hotel Apollo, Albergo Cesari and Raffaello. I checked International Montecotorio and it was also full. Venere.com may be the only solution. From comments here they seem the best of all options in Rome for this type of hotel booking service.

Perhaps check out the special rates sometimes offered at the Sofitel or Capo D'Africa. They are both very nice hotels and near enough to the center.

Don't forget the San Carlo.

Also without going back through the thread, if I had to pick between the River Palace and the Valadier, I guess I'd go with the Valadier, as the location is a little better. I'm sorry if this is a red herring, but I though I remembered a mention of it.

This is a small but well regarded B&B style place near the Barberini Metro stop. Easy walk to Trevi area, a bit further to the Piazza Navona, but having the Metro half a block away is a plus. You'd be fortunate to be able to book with them; rooms are compact but nice and the staff is super helpful. Some units are configured as 2 bedroom, 2 bath units. The only draw back is a tiny elevator at the Veneto location and none at the Trevi location. Do read the reviews on Tripadvisor/Venere.com

http://www.daphne-rome.com/

Paige I have another idea. My parents always stayed here on their trips to Rome and they adored it. Location is Via Veneto neighborhood, not your first choice but not bad at all; the price I se in May is 220 Euro:

http://laresidenza.hotelinroma.com/main_en.htm

At this time, I've found three hotels that have availability and meet our criteria; Albergo Cesari, Raffaello, and Duca d'Alba. The Cesari seems to be the best bet of these three but Duca d'Alba is almost $100 US less. One of my travel companions has suggested we try Priceline. She said she has used them in Europe before and always done well so we're waiting to see if she can get something there. If not, the last two suggestions of Residenza and Daphne look good to check out. Sofitel and Capo d'Africa are out of our price range for sure.

I have used Priceline in Europe as well with more than decent results. As long as you are ok with getting a small room and only one bed, you might be ok.

If you are bidding on Priceline, they will not guarantee 2 beds in a double room. You can request bed type and non-smoking, but they won't guarantee it. Unless your group feels comfortable sharing beds, I would not be inclined to use Priceline's bidding site.

We are three couples and two single women and they are okay sharing a bed. That's why I never used Priceline before, we always had our daughter with us and I knew we couldn't be guaranteed 2 beds. Now that she is away at college, Mom and Dad can travel without her! It's a whole new world!

IMO, while some cities in Europe are good for Priceline, Rome is not one of them. Hotels are generally poorly located.

Have you looked at hotel ponte sisto. We've never stayed there but we're booked for this summer based on what people here have said, and it's definitely in your price range.