Big thank yous to everyone who posted hotel suggestions to my earlier where to stay in Rome in September post

I emailed several hotels explaining that I was traveling solo, want a bathroom (tub & shower), a terrace, and generally nice feeling of having a home away from home (yeah i know i ask for a lot).

That said, I've narrowed down my hotel choices to 3. Please give me your thoughts...

Albergo Del Senato, Santa Chiara or San Carlo.

Prices range from e150-175. Only the San Carlo offeres a terrace, all are double rooms, and all have private baths.

The Del Senato gave me the most personal response, "We have carefully read your email and we do suggest staying with us . . . Almost everything is within walking distance and you will feel absolutely comfortable and safe even in the night."

The Hotel Scalinata di Spagna was too expensive.

The Pantheon View B&B was full.

The Hotel Navona simply replied, "We don't think that our hotel fits you for all these requests. We invite you to look for a different place. Thank you."

How important is a terrace? I'm not sure. I was really picturing a terrace only 1 or 2 floors from the ground. Why? I don't know, I think I saw it in a film.

I don't want to sleep in a coffin-size room. Plus, I need ventilation. I don't really care so much about noise. Afterall my neighbors have been firing off fireworks for the last 6 nights in a row and I don't even hear it anymore.

Should I request a specific room when I book?

I think it would be best to be specific in what you want just to get everything clear so there are no surprises when you arrive. If the hotel cannot accomodate your wishes then at least you will know to check elsewhere now.

i just checked fodors and they reviewed the santa chiara and gave it high ratings. they didnt mention the other two, but i have read raves here about the del senato. i am going to italy in oct. and want to book a hotel in rome and i was also looking at the santa chiara, the del senato and the pantheon view b+b. the first two, i thought, were more costly, but i will check again. so, i just email them to make my reservation and they respond in a timely manner?? i have never reserved via the internet before.p.s. if the del senato gave you a more personal answer, that would probably decide it for me.

It doesn't surprise me that the Del Senato gave you a personal answer--all the staff are extrememly helpful and friendly. If you are able to get a double for that price in September (a very popular month) I'd grab the Del Senato. Some of the doubles overlooking the Pantheon have balconies. Not exactly a terrace, but still nice.

MizzEve: We stayed at the Santa Chiara last year and loved it. Our room (#424) was at the very top, overlooking Piazza Minerva. It didn't actually have a balcony, but rather a step up, doors that opened up and a place to stand that gave the feeling of a balcony.

The location is great (which you probably already know, based on your other choices), the staff is friendly and helpful, the breakfast room is light and airy, and the breakfast choices are more extensive than most. I remember in particular blood orange juice.

We would definitely stay there again.

When I stayed at the Santa Chiara it was in a single. The room was small, no doubt about it, but very comfortable and adquate for my needs. Enough hanging space, no drawer space.
Bathroom was proportionally larger,tho' the shower stall was very small.

I love the hotel, for all the reasons mentioned above, would stay there again anytime, but just based on what I have read I would also consider the Del Senato.

My for is Albergo del Senato: I just love that hotel ! You can see many posts from me raving it

We had a wonderful one-week stay at Del Senato last fall and have a reserved another week this Christmas. Yes, they truly were very pleasant & personal from the first inquiry and throughout our entire stay. I believe only some of the suites have an actual terrace. We had the center, top floor (you can see it in the pictures with the 2 potted trees). I usually don't like small hotel rooms, but this one didn't bother me as it was very well appointed, tastefully and romantically decorated, and had a drop-dead gorgeous view of the Pantheon, the piazza and surrounding neighborhood. We had just a small step-out balcony, but that was ok too. We always had the very tall French doors open which seemed to put the whole view right into our room, while maintaining a sense of privacy. I would suggest being very specific about your needs. Personally, I require written confirmation on anything that I consider essential. I don't want to be dissapointed when I get there, and I don't want to spend valuble vacation time & effort searching for another hotel once I'm there.

we have stayed at Del Senato last fall and they promised us the room with a great view of the Pantheon. Upon our arrival we got a room on one of the top floors with a gorgeous view of the Pantheon and Piazza della Rotonda. So, I think if you ask them via e-mail about the specific room, they will honor their word.

I sent out follow up emails to the hotels. The Santa Chiara replied and told me that the room that it will assign to me is on the 2nd floor, has a view of the P.za Maria sopra Minerva, and is 15 MQ.

Can anyone help me convert MQs to Sq'? Also, is a room on the 2nd floor desirable? Should I seek a specific room?

Del Senato has told me that I may choose a room either facing the Pantheon or the inner garden.

bumping in hopes that someone can convert MQs to Sq' and also, tell me if they've stayed in a 2nd flr room at the Santa Chiara

Topping again for Eve.

Hi
In approximate terms, a meter is close to a yard, or 3 feet. 15 sq meters could be approx 9 feet by 15 feet.

2nd floor at the Santa Chiara doesn't matter much, but I would have some concerns about facing the front of the hotel (facing the Minerva) because it is a busy Vespa (motorbike) bypass and could be noisy. You could ask them for a quiet room and see what they say.
When I was there I faced the back--no view, but very quiet.

Noise sometimes depends on the windows and also during the time of day. At the Del Senato, the noisy times (which weren't even too noisy) were when we were awake and not minding it at all (Same street that runs down the side of Santa Chiara). Early in the morning and from mid-evening on it was very quiet (we were surprised how quiet being in front of the piazza della Rotunda). Also, if we ever shut the french doors it was very quiet, even in the day. On the other hand, I've been to some hotels where the sound went right through the windows; I don't know how soundproof the windows at Santa Chiara are.....

Del Senato and Santa Chiara are both lovely, but Del Senato takes a bit of a lead for the best location of the two and the best staff. The room we had was elegant; you will feel quite pampered.

Rooftop terrace open from 5-ish to 11:45 for drinks and drinking up the incredible view.

Hotel San Carlo:
We stayed there this past June from recs recvd from Fodorites. I think the location is OUTSTANDING and the lobby is impressive enough, but small. However be forwarned there is NO working elevator in the main hotel.I stayed in the annex which is across the street and a few doors down. You buzz the door for entry, then use a pass key for the next door which leads you to a very narrow, hot hall to a very small elevator. We were on the 4th floor then had to take stairs up to our room (we were not on the top floor). The room was very big, lots of closet w/ drawers and a very big and nice bathroom. It was not noisy at all.The balcony/terrace was tooo small -in fact useless. I wouldn't do it for the balcony. I did not like the non-hotel feeling. I did see the rooms on the top 2 floors of the main hotel and they were VERY lovely if your knees can take the many flights. They are supposed to fix/install a new elevator w/in a year. I did not see rooms on the lower floors which I think the porter told me they could be noisy. The location is surrounded among the BEST upscale shops and the street is roped off to traffic. 2 blocks at the bottom from the Spanish Steps and the metro train. I would stay there again once they get their elevator going. They did have a very nice shower and tub. The annex is not for me. I did stick my head into 2 other hotels that have the same feel on the same lovely street (loved the street Via delle Carrozze) - hotel Carriage 3 star - a little more formal feel: www.hotelcarriage.net & Hotel Condotti the next street over www.hotelcondotti.com - a little more $. Good luck.Also this area is not big on terraces and lovely views -mainly bldgs - not green piazzas.

Thank you everyone for your inpute and advice. I finally have booked a room at the San Carlo. I decided to go for a single room with a terrace. My room will be on the 4th floor of the main hotel. I know that I will have to climb stairs, but that will help compensate for not being able to work out at the gym for 10 days