massimop

Yes, right overlooking the Pantheon is going to be a crush of tourists and tour groups, pretty much round the clock. Consider moving closer to the Tiber, between the Corso Vittorio Emanuele II and the river bank.

annhig

Have a look at Monti - roughly the area between the Via Nazionale in the north, Via delle Quattro Fontane in the east, the Trajan Forum in the west and via Cavour in the south. not only is there plenty to see in the immediate neighbourhood, there are lots of buses up on Nazionale, and the metro at Cavour, as well as many neighbourhood shops and restaurants.

There is also a nice square with cafes and bars next to the church.

of course there are tourists but it still has the atmosphere of proper neighbourhood.

the area west of the Piazza Navona and north of the Corso Vittorio Emanuele II around the via di Panico also has a very "local" feel.

denisea

I loved Albergo del Senato....amazing to be in the square early before the crowds arrive. The staff is wonderful and you will also have Tazza d'Oro to yourself in the AM. The rooftop terrace is perfect for aperitivo with an amazing view! I am a light sleeper and had no issue with noise. I do wear earplugs. We stayed on the top floor on the front of the hotel....that Pantheon view is incredible.

Leely2

I stayed at Hotel del Senato many years ago. It is a nice hotel, but if you're trying to avoid hordes of tourists that is not the place to be.

BumbleB6

I just stayed in Monti for 5 nights, and really liked the area. I agree with annhig, it had more of a local feel. Good restaurants, places to shop, cafes, bars.. It's more lively at night than during the day.
I wouldn't say it felt "upscale" though.
You're close enough to the Colosseum where there will still be lots of tourists, of course but it felt there were way more near Piazza Navona, Trevi...
We stayed at the FH Grand Hotel Palatino, but if I had to do it again, I'd stay somewhere more in the interior of Monti, maybe even rent an apartment.

Leely2

Not sure if you'd considered the area too touristy or if the hotels are your style/budget, but you might look at DOM Hotel or the St. George, both on via Giulia, which does feel upscale to me, even though it's in central, touristy Rome.

http://domhotelroma.com/default.aspx?lingua=0

http://www.hotelindigorome.com/

Last summer I stayed at the Hotel Nerva, which was great, but maybe too touristy a location for you? It's within walking distance of Monti and in the heart of ancient Rome.

http://www.hotelnerva.com/

Leely2

Sorry, I should make it clear I haven't stayed at the DOM or the St. George; I was just thinking about areas that seem "upscale," not as mobbed 24/7 with tourists, and yet also close to many sites. For some reason I always think of Via dei Banchi Vecchi and Via Giulia as upscale. They're certainly beautiful.

annhig

We stayed at the FH Grand Hotel Palatino, but if I had to do it again, I'd stay somewhere more in the interior of Monti, maybe even rent an apartment.>>

we rented an apartment on Via dei Serpenti on our first stay in Rome, and one near the Via di Panico on our second. both are excellent locations, but i wouldn't say that either of them were up-market. Lots of fun though.

BumbleB6

Via dei Serpenti was on the corner from us. Yes, a very fun area.

brubenow

Thank you for all the great suggestions! The Hotel Nerva and the Hotel Indigo Rome both have family suites, so that's just what I need. I would like to be within walking distance to the major sites, so it looks like Monti would be a good area for that, is that right? Looks like the Hotel Nerva is in that area? Not sure which would be a better location?

annhig

The Nerva is on the edge of Monti and though I've never stayed in that location, it looks pretty good and easy to get to lots of what you'll want to see e.g. the Colosseum, Campodogio, Piazza Venezia, etc.

http://www.hotelnerva.com

The Ingido is on Via Giulia which is more convenient for St Peter's, the Castel San Angelo, Piazza Navona - also very convenient.

http://www.hotelindigorome.com

Both good places to be, and each has its own advantages.

brubenow

Thank you Annhig!

wanderlustily

I stayed in Monti recently, and found it to be incredibly walkable. Much more than I was anticipating, actually. Very charming area with a lot of lovely shops and lively people. My hotel was on Via Panisperna...there was a constant thrum of noise most of the day and night, so definitely stay off the more main streets if that is an issue. It's a very pleasant thrum of noise, in my opinion, though.