Still looking for Rome hotel with reliable, quiet a.c. and good quiet rooms
 

Exact location doesn't matter as much to me as those other considerations, though of course would like to be in pleasant walking distance from at least some sites. Having a great view doesn't matter as much.
What matters most is quiet and comfort. Good king bed (difficult to find in Rome, I'm learning), decent bathroom (doesn't need to be huge, but must have shower), a.c. that's not noisy and that genuinely cools room-- and, most of all, quiet surroundings. A professional associate has recommended Capo d'Africa, but there are reports that a.c. is noisy and ineffective, and I also can't get a clear reading on whether there are king beds. (The hotel has not answered any of the 3 e-mails I've sent.) I looked at reports on Trip Advisor, but most people focus on views and location in those reports; they're not our main priorities. I've looked at Hotel Ponte Sisto (I like the look of the little garden), but that hotel seems to specialize in accommodating families, and I'd prefer to find something less "kid friendly." (so that there'd be maybe a better chance of peace and quiet)
Our price range is $200-300.
I appreciate suggestions. Thanks in advance.

AC in Italy will not be the same as in the US. The more upscale hotels will have better AC. Others will only have it on certain months or times of day. Some hotels have the room electricity on timers and your key card must be inserted in the wall for it to work which means your AC will only be on while you are in the room. What time of year are you traveling?

The Hotel Parlamento have an excellent AC and a very nice bathroom..I dont think that they have a king size bed..Perhaps the new hotels outsite the city may have what you are looking for.

We were very comfortable at the Hotel Lancelot near the Forum. We had a lovely terrace off of our room,which was quiet and roomy. I think the bed was a King, but you should check. Staff was very accommodating and breakfast quite good. Highly recommended.

I would suggest a site that's given my family, friends, and I great results in the past: www.italiancollection.com. They have a wide selection of hotels, many fitting within your budget, and a little something for everyone, plus they speak English and are prompt when responding to emails. And I happen to know the Hotel Excelsior (you can of course book with them directly as well) has AWESOME A/C.

Thank you very much for these prompt replies. I'll follow up (and no doubt return with more questions). I did look at Hotel Lancelot, since it was recommended by many people. I'm hoping to find something a little more upscale (if possible within my price range). I think that Capo is in that same area-- looks like a good location.
We'll be traveling next July.

We stayed at the Santa Chiara in May of 2000 and had a wonderfully comfortable king bed and the AC cooled the room perfectly. I cannot remember how noisy it was, as I rely on the hum of the AC to drown out any other ambient noise that might keep me awake.

Hi Poss:

To meet your requirements I would suggest our favorite, Hotel Modigliani...on Via Purificacione...a very quiet street between Via Veneto and the Spanish Steps, a block from Piazza Barberini. They have queen size beds..we're king-users but found them very comfortable. The A/C worked very well and quietly. Our room was just off the little garden courtyard. The staff was excellent and the interesting owners greeted us a few times in the breakfast room. Price is right for your needs. Try it...you'll like it.

Stu T.
http://www.hotelmodigliani.com/

Have you checked out the Jolly Hotel chain? They are an Italianbased business hotel. The Leonardo da Vinci Jolly Hotel in central Rome is known for being quiet, offering (in its upgraded, not Standard rooms) King sized beds. Its reviews suggest that its air-conditioning and quiet locale are its greatest assests.

I can't comment on this locale, but we stayed in them, as business travelers, in Caserta and other spots and they do take good care of the traveler with your needs. Fabulous bathrooms, too!

Poss was already given the recommendation of Hotel Modigliani, but he doesn't want to stay there because they don't answer his emails.

Thin

Thanks very much for continued replies. Will look into.
Modigliani: I'd never written to them (Capo d'Africa is hotel which doesn't reply to my e-mails.) Too many reports about noise at Modigliani. Repeatedly: "thin walls"; "quite noisy." As this is our primary concern, I nixed the idea. (Also reports of bed "hard as concrete." I love firm beds, not hard beds. I know-- may be difficult to find good firm comfortable king bed in our price range.)

I greatly appreciate all suggestions.

Nazionale Montecitorio, an inside room overlooking internal courtyard. Quiet and a.c. assured.
On the other hand, rooms overlooking the Piazza Montecitorio, while traffic free, can be noisy in the early morning hours.

One of our stays was in room 415, very quiet, king bed (which is typically two twins joined, not uncomfortable at all), huge bathroom with shower over tub.
http://www.hotelnazionale.it/

Correction re: Nazionale.
the choice is twin or QUEEN. (I was mentally picturing our bed at the Santa Chiara..sorry)

Poss:

<i>Too many reports about noise at Modigliani. Repeatedly: "thin walls"; "quite noisy." As this is our primary concern, I nixed the idea. (Also reports of bed "hard as concrete." I love firm beds, not hard beds. I know-- may be difficult to find good firm comfortable king bed in our price range.)</i>
I guess it's all in the eyes (or broken back) of the beholder. Having stayed at Modig three differet times, and my daughter with her family twice..and three friends (couples) at different times, none of these complaints have ever been a factor. If it was a concrete-like bed we'd have been outa there! Ditto for "noisy"!

So,Poss, good luck...you may have to go 5* to get what you want. Let us know what you finally find. Good for future reference.

stu

luvitaly: What did you think of Santa Chiara? (Another responder mentioned it, above.)

stu: I will for sure post if I find anything. If it were one night, I wouldn't pay this kind of attention (probably); but it'll be 3 or 4, so I'm hoping to find someplace really comfortable. Glad you and yours enjoyed your hotel.

luvitaly: I just looked at Nazionale website. A pleasant looking place, but rates for "better" rooms appear to be well above our price range.

You could try the 4 star Hotel Alimandi. Their rooms were quiet with good A/C but I don't know if they have King size beds.

Any opinions about staying on Aventine Hill?

I've e-mailed italianconnection several times: no reply.

Poss: Do you mind sharing where you got the impression that the Villa San Pio was full of children, or that the hotel specialized in housing families?

We stayed at the Santa Chiara http://www.albergosantachiara.com/ the last time we visited Rome and were very comfortable there. Would probably be our choice again on future trips. I don't remember "noise" as that's not a problem for us.

I agree with KTravel, Hotel Alimandi 4 Star. It is directly across from the vatican museum entrance. I believe I had a King (and it was just little me) Breakfast is real good, it is modern and the bathrooms are beautiful. Check it out!

http://www.alimandivaticanohotel.com/

Italianconnection seems to be an advertisement.

opinion of Aventine Hill - I have stayed there several times - really like the area except when I am walking home at the end of a long day or evening! But it is a very nice, residential area with several notable churches.

Thank you, suec1. Can you tell me whether those churches have bells that toll through the day and night? We've had many a trip spoiled by being near that kind of thing-- splendid buildings, both architecturally and for historical reasons, but not good for noise-sensitive folks.
Also: Which of the hotels in that area would you most recommend? We're hoping not to spend more than $300 per night, though would go a bit higher if we absolutely had to. Also need king bed, not queen.
Thank you very much for your help.

Me again. I took a look on the website to verify what I remembered from staying there was true, that the Hotel Alimandi has king beds. I see that is important to you.

From the website
The deluxe double room features a king size bed and spacious accommodation. This bright room faces the street and overlooks the Vatican Museums.

In September of 2007 we stayed at Hotel ISA www.hotelisa.com
in Rome. The hotel was undergoing complete renovations. We had a beautiful room with modern bath. An excellent breakfast buffet and a beautiful view of St. Peter's Basilica from the roof-top. Our room was in the courtyard and was quiet except for the cooing of the pigeon. I would highly recommend it.

Entry # 27 here is for the Hotel San Carlo:

http://www.hotelsancarloroma.com/

Go for a double superior room. The A/C is divine!

Buon Viaggio,
BC

Hello Poss,

My husband and I stayed at the Daphne Veneto in Rome in late June '09 and thought it was perfect for us. Very quiet and our room was just what we wanted. Very quiet AC, helpful but not in-your-face management and perfect location in Piazza Barbarini with a metro station a few steps away if you wanted to not walk to Vatican or Ancient Rome. It was a 5 minute walk to Trevi so great to be able to go take a peek at the end of the night and it was a perfect distance from Piazzas Navona and Fiore.

The bed was possibly a Queen but seemed more like a King. We were surprised at it's size. If you decide to book a room let me know and I will tell you which one we had in case they are not all the same size.

You can find Daphne listed under B&B's in Tripadvisor. The staff is not available during the night but they give you a cell phone to use during your stay to call them if needed for help or advise etc..

It is a very unassuming place which is what we wanted. We like to have assistance when we need it but otherwise be left rather alone:) Definetly NOT condusive to families with young children and there were none there on our stay.

Let me know if I can help further.
Suzanne

Hotel Villa San Lorenzo in the Aventine. Fabulous garden--you will feel like you are in the countryside!
http://www.aventinohotels.com/a/inglese/servizi.htm

Hotel Raphael. Stone's throw from Piazza Navona. You might be able to get a deal with them. Rooftop restaurant a plus.

Capo D'Africa has been a very good experience in three stays there. I book a king non smoking and this most recent visit got a good price on a Superior room which was very large.

Great staff, convenient and quiet location, lovely breakfast with view of the Colosseum and rooftop terrace.

We also loved a recent stay at Sofitel Roma, two blocks from Via Veneto. Gorgeous king room, fabulous bath, the best breakfast we have had in Italy (saying a lot as I have been there 18 times and stayed at many hotels), very quiet location, rooftop terrace with wonderful views.

We stayed at the Residenza Cellini near Termini in a junior suite. Not really a suite but a huge room even by American standards. Amazingly quiet. The air conditioning worked very well; we were there in mid-April. I mention this as many European hotels offer air conditioning only in summer months...their websites typically say air conditioning offered but don't mention the limited times. We requested a twin room that could make one king bed. That is also typical in Europe that they push two twins together to form a king. One large bed is sometimes called a "matrimonial" bed.

Am gradually checking into each suggestion-- thank you.

ekscrunchy: The hotel with the "families" reports was Ponte Sisto. I know little about S Pio (yet).