Suggestions for accomodation for Family of 6
 

We will be in Rome for 4 days 3 nights. We plan to stay at the Hotel Alimandi and will be spending around $1,400 Euros for two rooms.

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with accomodations for a family of 4 adults, one teenager, and 1 toddler. We will get free breakfast at the hotel. However, I wonder we could save money by renting an apartment and finding meals on our own. I am just afraid of what we will find by renting an apartment. If what were are getting is a good value, then I'm OK. Howerver, I am curious if there are better value somewhere else.

Your comments are appreciated.

I'm not sure that you will find an apartment with TWO bathrooms which will save you much compared to two hotel rooms... and four adults plus one teenager sharing one bathroom would be a very bad choice, in my opinion.

Best wishes,

Rex

Thanks for your comments Rex, didn't think about that.

It could get kind of crazy getting ready in the morning.

I agree that you will come out better in the end with an apartment, if you are comfortable with that idea. Less expensive, more space, more comfort, savings on breakfasts, snacks, etc.

Check out slowtrav.com for reviews of various agencies. I'm renting my fourth apartment in Italy this March (first in Rome) and have always been very happy going that route.

You will find many apartments in Rome that will rent for 3 days (usually the minimum) and several will have 2 and 3 baths. I researched Rome apartments for 6 adults in 2003 but stayed in hotels. One of the sites I found apartments wtih multi-baths - www.b-b.rm.it

I've done a little research on this. My take is that you often can find two apts. in the same building that might work for you. The price for an apt. that sleeps 2-4 runs around 125-150 euros a day.

You say you're spending "$1,400 euros." I'm assuming the "$" was a mistake, and it's 1400 euros. So let's say you got two apts. for a total of 300 euros a night for 3 nights. That's 900 -- a considerable saving.

I'd say you may want to look into it. As others have noted, go to slowtrav.com and read the reviews of rental apts. That should be a good start.

You could definitely save money by staying at a convent, and you could get one close to your current Vatican location, or elsewhere in Rome. You'd have to decide if the loss of amenities was worth it, but I think you could come in as low as 200 Euros per night, so you'd save about 600 Euros. That's not to say an apartment isn't a better choice either, but if you have worries about renting an apartment, I'd consider a convent. Examples here:
http://www.casalasalle.com/uk/prenotazioni.php
http://www.santasusanna.org/comingToRome/convents.html

I also think you could get a somewhat better rate at these hotels (and probably others), but not so cheap as a convent:
http://www.hoteljulia.it
http://www.domusjulia.it (same owner as above, but these are adjacent apartments)
http://www.hotelpanda.it

Here is another vote for an apt because with a toddler it is great to have a place where one adult can return with toddler, at any time of the day, for naps. Also our apt had a washing machine and I could pack fewer clothing changes knowing I had a washing machine available. I frequently have to change my toddler in the middle of the day due to a chocolate gelato mishap or a plate of spaghetti on the lap.

In a hotel, if you go back at 1 or 2 pm for toddler naptime and they have not yet cleaned the room it is a problem.

The downsides are that you won't get fresh towels daily and won't have a concierge available for advice.

You can definitely spend less than 1400 euros though, if that is appealing.

We rented a nice apartment that comfortably slept four, and would have slept more if kids were willing to sleep on couches, but having only one bathroom might be sort of a drag. The good thing was our apartment had hot water on demand (like many European places - and it is excellent) so you don't run the risk of running out of hot water, but still...

Our apartment was 1150€ total for 7 nights. Landlord picked us up and brought us back to the airport for free and loaned us a cell phone (which I never could really figure out). If you want to see my reports (and a link to photos) on it go to:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34645892

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/vr/review.asp?n=1530

I forgot to mention that I hope you are very good friends with the other family. :) :)

Thank you everyone for your comments and ideas. It is appreciated. I really like the suggestion by Willtravel of staying in a convent. If anyone has first hand experience I would appreciate your input. I am Catholic so it would great to actually stay in some of the convents I have breifly viewed online. I understand that most have curfews, but this should not be a problem with us since we dont intend to be up late around town.

http://homelidays.com/EN-Holidays-Re...ROMSEARCH=TRUE

elmo218 -- The link above is an apartment I found for us for May 2006. I hope to be posting back with a great experience. All correspondence and the reviews have been extremely positive. You may find what lacks in ambience is made up for in other ways. 5 beds, two bathrooms and VERY affordable. It may not be for you if you don't want to retreat a little from the main tourist areas to the apartment, but it's worth taking a look...Good luck in your search!

We are staying in one of their apartments in APril. A number of them have 2 bathrooms (but only 2 bedrooms which might be an issue - though maybe a sofa bed for the teen?

http://www.palazzo-olivia.it/inglese...zzo_index.html