Given a choice between two well reviewed hotels, one in the Trevi/Barberini area and one in the Colosseo/Forum area, which is better for access to transportation, walking access to sites, restaurants, etc? Safer or more attractive? Quieter at night? Also, is early July in Rome a better time ( as to climate, atmosphere) than early August? Thank you...

Trevi/Barberini: Better access to transportation, walking access to restaurants. Not sure about safer; I've never felt unsafe anywhere in central Rome. More attractive, as far as I'm concerned.

Colosseo/Forum MAY (note CAPs) be somewhat quieter at night.

The weather may not be very different in early July from that in early August, but far fewer restaurants and shops are closed in July than in August (some close beginning of August to Ferragosto on 15 August; some from 15 August to end of August; some for the entire month of August).

I agree with the first responder, but would also note that you frequently get hotel discounts for August in Rome. Sometimes substantial ones.

I'd go for early July, though, if I had a choice.

Thanks for the comments so far...As it happens, the place near Trevi/Barberini is not available in July (only August), so I may have to make some trade-offs. The cost is not materially different, so that won't be a factor...Any other "features" of the two locations I ought to consider? We will be going to the Vatican (assuming it isn't closed for vacation), as well as the Colosseum, Forum, and the other typical first time tourist sites plus a few day trips (possibly Orvieto, Assisi, Ostia Antica)...

I'm probably throwing a monkey wrench into the works here, but neither Trevi/Barberini nor Colosseo/Forum would be my preferred location.

Something within or just outside the triangle Piazza Navona/Pantheon/Campo de Fiori puts you right in the middle of and makes everything in the historical centre of Rome, which you will presumably also want to visit, very accessible on foot.

The area is full of restaurants and cafes, more so than any other district in Rome.

The Vatican and the Colosseo/Forum are both walkable from that area, but for the Vatican there is the No. 64 bus on Corso Vittorio Emanuele and for the Colosseo there is the No. 80 or No. 78(I think...).

The No. 64 will also take you to Termini to take the train for your day trips.

Eloise,

I've heard that the Pantheon/Piazza Navona area is great, but I haven't found anyplace to stay there in our budget range...200 Euro/night (+/-) for 2 rooms (or an apt)...Since we're traveling as a family, our requirements are 2 bedrooms/2 baths with A/C (since it will be in the heat of summer). That makes it a little more expensive, but we wouldn't do it without our children.. If there are any other suggestions, we'd certainly love to hear of them.

I'd like to recommend that you stay near the Spanish steps; it's so central that you can walk to all of the other places in a short time. I stayed there at the San Carlo, a nice little 3 star hotel-no luxury, but it's all about location. There are many other more luxurious hotels in the area, though.
I've been twice at the end of July, and both times have been inconvenienced when a restaurant I'd have liked was closed in August. If you can, I'd go before August.
I also stayed in the Colosseo area 5 years ago. The area was a bit more seedy-not dangerous, but not as nice. Still, I did feel that I was in the "real" Roma!

Victoria:

Why don't you try going to

www.slowtrav.com

There are lists of apartment-rental agencies there as well as reviews of individual apartments. You should be able to find something for +/- 200 Euros per night with two bedrooms and A/C; the second bathroom might be harder to find...

Hotel Sant Angelo is in your price range.

We found this a good location for walking to many sites - Vatican, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, Campo Fiori, Trevi. It's a bit far to the colosseum, but still walkable. The price is right. It has AC and is quiet at night. We slept w/ our window open and it was fine. Nice area, not far from the Tiber too.

You can read our review at tripadvisor.com from last September.

http://santangelo.hotelinroma.com/ma...tm?source=Rome