Which of these hotels would be best for a family of 4 w/2 teenage children, for best location and room size? Neither have the large suites left, so I will be booking two adjoining rooms.

When you going Sound of Music?

You may also want to check out Hotel Cesari, which is very close to the other two, on venere.com. I was in anguish trying to select between those same highly-recommended and central 3* hotels that you're deciding amongst, but when I saw the much lower rates (see special offers) for the Cesari on venere.com, it became an easy decision...one that I ended up being extremely happy with. Spacious triple room (#6) with A/C and hardly any noise for e190 a night in May 2003. If you're going in July and August, it's even cheaper!!!

Sorry to throw in another option for you on a difficult decision, but just trying to help out. In any case, no matter the choice, the Santa Chiara and the del Senato are such wonderful hotels with excellent locations, it's hard to go wrong!

I agree--the Cesari is a great option and comparable. I suspect the del Senato is the most expensive.

Both the S. Chiara and the del Senato have equally excellent locations.
The del Senato is right on the Piazza that the Pantheon faces; the S. Chiara is two blocks from that same Piazza.
I love the Santa Chiara hotel but would consider the del Senato on my next visit as I've read so many good things about it.
The Santa Chiara does offer a wonderful breakfast buffet with meats, cheeses, fruits, pastries, and great coffee and juices. Don't know about the del Senato's breakfast.

del senato's breakfast was just OK. But the location of that hotel was unbelievable. We could walk practically to any sights and the great shopping was also nearby. The room that we had at del senato was quite small but immaculate. The bathroom was very clean.

I have stayed at both the Albergo del Senato and Cesari. Although both are quite nice and similarly located, the del Senato is, in my opinion, better in terms of the rooms, service, breakfast, and location. In fact, I will be staying there in nearly one week. In pricing the two for this trip, the del Senato was actually less expensive (by only a few Euros) than the Cesari for a quad room (I also have two teenagers). You cannot go wrong with either.

Thanks to all for your much needed help. I am hoping that one of these hotels will be available as I am leaving for Paris June 27th - taking the night train to Florence - then to Rome on July 4th. If I am not driving you too crazy, could I ask your advice about several Paris Hotels? (again I am traveling with my husband and two children ages 12 and 15). These are the hotels I am considering and have contacted: Brighton, La Villa St. Germain de Pres, Residence des Arts, or Clarion St. James et Albany. As you can see I am all over the place. Having always stayed on the Right Bank, I am now considering the Left.

I've posted here often raving the Senato and I'm raving it again.I stayed there last November and everything was great: the rooms, location, breakfast , service.It's a very charming small hotel! I stayed in the St Regis Grand once and I much prefer the Senato, though I liked the St Regis very much. Can't think about staying in some other hotel next time I go to Rome.The Albergo del Senato will always be my favorite!

Try the St. Paul in St. Germain. It has a great location and a wonderful (and affordable) two level room that is perfect for travelling with two teenage children. Take a look at france.com for that and other hotels in Paris (and throughout France).

Thank you rajaw and others! I am booked at the Del Senato in Rome and wouldn't have know about it without Fodorites! In Paris I am looking into the St Paul in St. Germaine as well as the Villa Pantheon, La Villa Saint Germain des Prés and Clarion Saint James Et Albany. Any thoughts? P.S. When does one officially become a Fodorite?

You became a Fodorite immediately upon signing in.

I have not stayed at any of the Paris hotels you mention but all are located in the same vicinity (5th and 6th districts) except for the Clarion St. James et Albany (1st district). Is there any particular reason you chose the Clarion? The 1st district is nice but not as interesting as the 5th and 6th arr. so I'd choose any of the other three hotels. That is only my opinion however.