should I take this room?
 

I have faxed Albergo Abruzzi to inquire whether they had a room and they faxed back that they could offer me a room at 80 euros instead of 155 euros. Should I go with this? It's a great deal, however still a bit above what I wanted to pay. Is this price pretty average for the area and for Rome? Is it worth it for the area?

Thanks for your advice!
Patricia

What room category is for the 80 euro vs. the room at 155 euro?

Yeah, he knocked off 70 euros from the price for no reason (single with view and private shower).

Thanks!
P

You got the lowest category but you got a great deal I'd say. The hotel is giving you a room with a view also. That's a steal in my opinion considering it's right in the center of things, near the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. I checked for comments on tripadvisor.com and on venere.com. It's gotten great reviews on both sites. I don't believe you can get this type of room for lower than 80 euro for this location.
Maybe it's the time you're going that is why the hotel cut the rate by almost half. It is a single room so it's the smallest but if it's well-maintained you should take it. Everything else sounds good.

thanks, one more thing....if I asked for the same room but asked to skip breakfast and asked him if he could lower the price...is this ok or rude?

Thanks!
Patricia

I think it appears that this hotel has rooms with baths and some rooms have a bath down the hall. If you want your own bath, make sure this price includes such. Other wise it looks great.

No, it is not rude to ask to deduct the breakfast. It's only an inquiry. But I doubt the hotel will deduct it off of the rate which is very low already!
Better ask about the bathroom situation.

I asked him about a room w/o bath and this is what he says:

Siamo spiacenti di informarla che non disponiamo più di camere con i servizi all'esterno, pertanto non esiti a contattarci per qualsiasi altro dubbio;

(can't really interpret). I believe he's saying he doesn't have a room without the things he told me about.

Anyone know?
P

He is saying the following:

We are sorry to inform you that we no longer have rooms with bathrooms outside the room, but do not hesitate to contact us with any other question.

The exact translation of the last word is really "doubt" or "misgiving"; perhaps he is losing patience a little...

Looks like you might have to use the "outhouse." ((a)) ((b))

Thanks!

Eloise or francophile...I don't want him to lose patience, but how do I go about telling him that breakfast is not essential w/o him feeling it rude?

Thanks!
Patricia

You may not like what I will say: find another hotel. Besides that why is he communicating in Italian? I assume you sent emails in English but I'm not certain.

Well I did send e-mails in Italian (had them translated actually by someone on this forum)...

can I ask why you are suggesting turning somewhere else? Just curious.

Thanks!
Patricia

Patricia --

He's not telling you he no longer has rooms with bathrooms outside the room, he's telling you they are sorry to inform you that they have nothing available OTHER THAN rooms with baths outside (that is, not private). The remainder is, do not hesitate to contact us about any other doubts (though doubts in this case means concerns or questions.

That is strange...(maybe I misread his first e-mail from yesterday) which states:

In riferimento al Suo cortese fax di ieri, siamo lieti di informarLa che potremmo ancore prenotare in Suo favore una bella camera singola con servizi privati (doccia), asciuga capelli, telefono con liena diretta per l'esterno, parquet, nuovo mobilio in ciliegio, TV satellitare, frigobar, aria condizionata regolabile autonomamente, doppi vetri insonorizzanti alla finestra ed un'indimenticabile vista sul Pantheon alla specialissima tariffa di Euro 80,00 per notte (compreso tasse, servizio e piccola colazione), invece di Euro 155,00.
(am I wrong? Doesn't he say he has a room with private shower)?

Thanks!
Patricia

Other than the bathrooms being outside the room maybe you should skip asking about deducting the breakfast charges. The rate is already low. If that's important that it be deducted perhaps look for a place that can deduct their breakfast charge.
You can send your emails in English.

I have a suspicion that it's not the same person replying to my second e-mail as to my first. ???

Patricia

I come up witht he same translation, but took a different meaning. That he doesn't provide rooms without bath facilities. As mentioned, they can vary, shower only, tub? Why is this breakfast issue so pressing? I say settle with him when you get there. If you don't like that idea, find another place. Ask the specific fact-finding questions right away to avoid "offending": b'fast included? What type? what does the bathroom include? What floor- lift or walk-up? Sound-proof windows? fans or ac?

Before you forfeit your reservation, try to find a review online or here to see what to expect. Rome can be expensive. This might be fine. I understand your concern, I made a very budget-conscious trip to Paris. All the hotels & B&B's I corresponded with did so in English.

Hey Patricia, you're getting a room with a private shower, three-star amenities (hair dryer anyone), a view of the Pantheon, air conditioning and bbreakfast for 70 euros and you're complaining? Chill and send the deposit ASAP before they change their mind!

Well it's 80 euros, but not too bad I guess. Like I said, I think it's a probably a bargain...if you think this is a normal price for this area then I'll take it.

Thanks everyone!
Patricia

Francophile's translation was wrong, and I'm glad to see that she has admitted it. The hotel was completely remodeled in 2003; presumably, they put ensuite bathrooms in all the rooms at that time.

I would not go on asking questions. He is offering you a terrific deal, and you should take it. You can always ask about deducting breakfast when you get there, if it really means that much to you.

You can write:

Vorrei prenotare la camera singola con servizi privati (doccia) e vista sul Pantheon al prezzo di 80 Euros la notte con arrivo -- INSERT DATE -- e partenza -- INSERT DATE.

Sarei molto lieta di ricevere una conferma.

Grazie molto e cordiali saluti,

NAME

Translation: I would like to reserve the single room with bath (shower) and view of the Pantheon at the price of 80 Euros per night with arrival -- DATE -- and departure -- DATE.

I would be very happy to receive a confirmation.

Many thanks and best regards,

(It never hurts to be polite, particularly if someone is doing you a favour.)

If you do not receive a confirmation within a few days, then you may have to look for another hotel.

Eloise, I didn't translate the email. You confuse me with JWM. I went by what he's saying. Did I admit I was wrong? Oh well...

I guess I was hoping to find something at the $60-$70 price...but it sounds like this is rare in Rome. And this hotel has a good location.

I have sent an e-mail...Eloise, grazie molto for the translation!!!!! I hope he didn't think me ungrateful or anything...I think it's a great deal. I'm just a student trying to get the lowest price I can. But in Rome I guess I will be splurging a little. I also read that it's ok to bargain a little on hotel prices and I was hoping he'd come back with a slightly lower deal.

Thanks everyone who contributed! As always you all know your stuff.
Patricia

Francophile,

So sorry, I did confuse you with JVM.

My sincere apologies!

Eloise --

My translation is not incorrect. It may be true that they no longer have rooms without bathrooms, but that's not what Patricia wrote that he said. "No longer" would be "di piu". He wrote, "piu di" which means "other than." And your suggestion that his last phrase suggests he's losing patience is a complete misread of what he wrote and intended to convey.

"non disponiamo piu di camere..."
=
non ... piu: no more, any more
+
disporre di: have at one's disposal
=
We no longer have any rooms...

Eloise,

Are you saying they no longer have any rooms?

Thanks!
P

I also agree you could work out the breakfast thing when you get there - I would not squabble over a few Euros when you're getting this rate. This is such a small issue when it's a great it's a great location & great price. If you are unclear on your room situation call them.

There are so many other hotels which have a much higher rate and lower quality- it sounds like you have a great deal.

Patricia, please don't panic! I was simply trying to explain to JVM that his translation of the e-mail about no rooms without bathrooms was, is, and always shall be incorrect.

Also something I don't understand is why you are trying to write in Italian.

The Hotel Albergo Abruzzi is fully capable of receiving and responding to reservation requests in English. I do understand you want to be clear however this sounds as if it's getting far to complicated by you trying to read and write in Italian when it's not your native tongue.

Ye gods folks! This is a hotel room - not world peace! Just take it - or not.

Would you post the website for the Albergo Abruzzi?

For Castleton, try www.hotelabruzzi.it

Patricia, just a kind suggestion that you should send your emails in your native language. It's getting very complicated sending it in Italian.

I wouldn't take the room. You might not like the breakfast.

Just a note about breakfast. I think the days of receiving a lower rate if you don't want breakfast may be gone.

At the suggestions of many travel sites and books I asked about Rome hotel room rates WITHOUT breakfast and EVERY SINGLE one said they would not deduct breakfast. I must have checked with 15 hotels before making my choice. (Where we will be charged for breakfast even if we don't eat it.)

Also, have you ever used Wordlingo? It is a pretty neat translation site.