Rome Marriott: Grand Hotel Flora or Boscolo Exedra?
 

Hi, we have 4 nights coming up in Rome and are using Marriott points. Anyone stayed at either of these hotels and have input? The Boscolo Exedra is Roma in Piazza della Repubblica and the Grand Hotel Flora is adjacent to the Borghese Gardens.

Grand Hotel Flora has the more interesting location, in my opinion.

I stayed at the Grand Flora using points. They upgraded me to a junior suite. Very nice hotel, very nice bathroom, room furniture was nice but old, good bed and bedding.

Check on Marriott Rewards Insiders website for other MRI members' reviews of both properties.

My daughter usually stays at the Exedra, which she likes quite a lot. (It's out of my price range.) I do often stay in that area, which has plenty of interest to me. It's a stone's throw from one of my favorite museums, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, and its sister museum, the Museum of the Baths of Diocletian. It's directly across from the beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, built, to a design of Michelangelo, in part of the ruins of the Baths. It's also an easy walk to Santa Maria Maggiore, Santa Maria della Vittoria (famous for Bernini's Saint Theresa in Ecstasy), and about a fifteen minute walk from the Roman Forum.

The location is very convenient for transportation to anywhere you might want to go, in Rome or outside.

I don't know anyone who has stayed in the Grand Hotel Flora, but I know the area. It's convenient to the American Embassy, so I stay in that vicinity when I have business with the consulate. It's near the entrance to the Borghese Gardens, and about a ten-minute walk from the Borghese Gallery. I'm trying to think of what else of interest there is in the area, but not much comes to mind.

THanks. It appears to me that the exedra is more ... posh. Do you think your daughter would agree?

We are not hotel snobs but our vacation is at the end of. 3 week business trip for my husband, and I think he may be frankly over the “charm” bit and ready for some relaxation and a bit of decadence. The exedra is a bit more (using points we have to pay 80 Euros a night there, and only 20 at flora). 60 euros is not a deal breaker if it’s worth it for a premium property.

... when I say 3 weeks, it’s not that he isn’t used to traveling that duration... more that he is basically changing locations every couple of days and will be good and pooped by the time he gets to Rome. I can understand that!

4sammy: have you been to Rome?

For me, I would rather stay at the Exedra location.

tuscanlifeedit - I have been, many years ago. It's my husband's first time.

My daughter hasn't ever stayed at the Flora, so she can't compare.

For location, knowing the two areas, my preference would be for the Exedra. I move around a lot when I'm in Rome, and like the central area, with lots of transportation options.

If your husband just wants to relax, my reasons for preferring the Exedra location may not be relevant.