I have the opportunity to travel to Rome in April with my husband and 2 young children (will be age 6, and 1.5). Problem is, I've tried to do this before (and tried and tried) and just not had the nerve to do it, in the long run. But we can get there from eastern North America using flight points (cheap) and using a hotel rate (cheap). The hotel however, is not ideally located - it is the Sheraton Golf Parco de' Medici Hotel & Resort, Roma... how difficult would it be to see Rome from this hotel? Or would this one be better? Sheraton Roma Hotel & Conference Center... advice?

I am thinking of Rome, taking it slowly, munching on pizza and gelato.

And I really really want to do it. Courage!

Yes you can do it. I wouldn't hesitate!
I'd pick a more central location (what's your budget?) and I'd definitely get an apartment. With 2 young children you will appreciate not being stuck in one room when it's bedtime for the kids and you can prepare breakfasts and some easy kid friendly dinners when you know they will not want to sit and wait for food in a restaurant.
The Italians do love children though and will generally be more than tolerant and friendly to your children when you decide to eat out.

www.sleepinitaly.com is the site I used to book an apartment a few years ago.

In April you can spend lots of time outdoors and the children will probably enjoy walking around the forum (my DD was 7 or 8 when she first saw the ruins and her first question was 'Did a bomb just explode here?'!).
The Borghese gardens provide another leg stretching opportunity plus a discussion about the 'tortured trees'. There are some espaliered fruit trees which seen through a child's eyes might prompt questions of cruelty! Your 6 yr old might enjoy the Galleria Borghese too.

If you have the energy walk to the top of St. Peters (skip the elevator) or spilt up so the parent with the baby takes the elevator and the other walks up with the 6 yr old and meet at the top.

There is a great trip report by Fodorite "mebe" who traveled to Italy with her toddler. I definitely encourage you to read it! We're headed to Rome/Umbria/Tuscany this summer with our then 19-month old. We took him to Greece as a 7 month old and had a wonderful time. Expect that it will take the kids 4 to 5 nights to fully adjust to the time difference. Also expect to just see one or maybe two sights per day... you will want to plan for delays and down time.

We have 10 days, and those are my hotel choices... it's not ideal but at least I'd get there!!

Well, the second Sheraton is closer in but still 4 miles from the city center.

If those are your only options, and other than location they both look fine, then take a really close look at their web sites and make a list of questions to email them if you can't find the answers.

I would be looking for ease of getting in to the city, cost of getting in, parks or other diversions in the immediate area, restaurants within walking distance, on site facilities for kids, pool, etc. What ever you need to ask to help make a decision.

If you will be on your own during the day, I assume you will want the 18-month old in a stroller. If so, make sure the places you want to see allow strollers.

Even if it's not your ideal trip, it can still be a good one.

I agree with Cathinjoetown. The location is not ideal, but manageable, if you are willing to pay the price to make it work. I am thinking in particular about the 1.5 year old. Having to wait for the shuttle bus to/from the hotel to city center , and vice versa, will be very challenging. Then you have to add on the time it takes in the city to see whatever it is you want to see. However, if munching on pizza and eating gelato in Rome is really all you need to do, then I think you will be fine. I also have a 6 year old and one 20 month old, so I can relate. We just got back from a trip to Mantova. We had a slow and low - key time, but it was still great!

Stayed in the Sheraton Roma for hotwire.com $69/nt in May it is their secret S Rome 4 star your best bet for nice cheap stay.They have a shuttle frpm airport and shuttle to center
save a bundle over taxi cheap safe.Older though John and
Yoko honeymooned there rooms ok american food was pretty bad
worse 15 euro burger I can remember but rooms were great for price. Join spg.com for club floor upgrades and free better food.Anyway an easy safe place to stay in a nice residential area.So GO for it!

The second one (Conference Center) is in an extremely better location in my opinion. But with two small children, I would not want to be at the mercy of a hotel shuttle schedule.

The Sheraton is NOT convenient especially with kids and using shuttles would be a royal pain with a stroller and using the shuttle schedule! Having done it once for the Holiday Inn at Fco I would definitely say a big NO!
Do as others have said above and either get a hotel in the center or an apartment. Having a place in the center will allow you to go back for naps on your timetable,pick up something you might have forgotten,etc.
I fly several times a month to Rome for the airlines and the word location,location,location is what you want.
Sometimes the air marshals stay at the Sheraton and they always complain about how inconvenient it is.

I just saw that you are traveling in April. Remember that Easter is the first week so the flights will be packed and you will have your child on your lap the whole 9-11 hours?

Qwovadis-if you are eating an American burger in Rome you should be ashamed! I cannot even imagine?

Ahhh but that's the catch. That's my budget, alas. I get there, but I have to accept the inconvenience. If it's not worth it to go under those circumstances, then I will have to put it off again.

But what is your budget? Is the hotel free? Then hopefully can you afford taxis to get around?

I assumed you would not be alone with the 2 children but if you have to struggle with shuttles and commuting with them on your own then I'd reconsider.
If the flights are free too then it might be worth the inconvenience and maybe spending alternate days in and around the hotel (downtime, reading,) but if not then I'd save the money and the trip for later.

Hi travelkip,
I have 3 children, youngest is now 8. We stopped taking international trips when the youngest started to walk and started back up again when she was 6 years old. Honestly, trips are so expensive and the kids don't really remember anything until they are a little older. And parents are too busy taking care of kids to focus on anything else. Lugging diapers and toys and a stroller around is not ideal with lots of stairs and cobblestones. Suitable bathrooms for diaper changes can be a challenge to find. If you are from the US, why don't you consider going domestic for a few more years. DC is great for kids and most museums are free and are very child focused. I live in Italy now and while Italians love children, my German friend said it best-- they don't really plan for them. I don't see child menus at most restaurants and they looking at me as if I am insane when I order plain pasta with no sauce (although it is easy to order half portions). There is not a lot of playground equipment and many parks have no equipment-- they are absolutely beautiful for a stroll but again, not geared to children. I love to travel and think it is a great experience for children but I also hate to waste money! If mommy's sanity depends on it, then go for it. If not, I'd wait. Best of luck!

It's Rome and it's free (or almost) - go for it! Make the most of the opportunity you have. We travelled only in North America when our kids were young, now that they are grown I wish I had taken them to Europe years ago. If you don't do it now you may regret the lost opportunity in the future. You may not be in the perfect apartment in the centre of Rome but you can still have fun with your family. How hard is it to hop on a shuttle or into a cab, with the money you save on hotels? Don't try to do everything, just be selective in choosing activities you can enjoy with your kids. Also, will your husband have some free time to spend with you? When I accompany my husband to conferences, I sometimes enjoy relaxing in the hotel in the morning, then heading out with him in the afternoon or evening. It beats staying home alone. I'm sure you can have a great time in Rome.

Don't forget you are used to dealing with your kids already. It's not going to be any harder to manage them in Europe than it is at home and you'll be in Europe!! I also say don't waste the opportunity. The photos you get will be priceless (we still have ours from when we took our kids to Italy when they were 4 and 1.5). Definitely don't regret a single trip we took with them, and now that they're 8 and 11 they are wonderful flexible travelers.