Due to our budget we have the option of staying in a 5 star hotel in the Via Veneto area or a 3 star hotel in the Spanish Steps area. Which is a better option? We would like to stay in a nice hotel but we do want to be somewhat centrally located. Thank you.

<BR><BR>Mark, both areas are fairly close together so, in terms of being centrally located, it's about a toss-up. Via Veneto, with its plane trees, is somewhat reminiscent of Paris and is a lovely street. However, I happen to find the Spanish Steps area to have a warmer feel. If the 5 star hotel is more important to you than the area, I'd say go with Via Vento. Otherwise, pick the Spanish Steps.

Via Veneto is allright but I prefer the Spanish Steps location better even if it's in a 3 star hotel vs. a 5 star hotel on Via Veneto. I've visited both areas and while they're both close to each other, I really prefer the Spanish Steps location better. The shops are more abundant and it just seems more central to other areas. That's only my opinion though.

Good Question. It depends on the two hotel choices. I've stayed at the Spanish steps and although it's considered central, it's only truly close to the upscale shopping area. In terms of being central in location to trevi/piazza navona/pantheon, via veneto and spanish steps are failry equidistant. Also, via veneto is just a short stroll from the steps (don't know exactly how far--check the map to be sure). <BR><BR>With that in mind, I would easily pick the 5 star. There's a HUGE difference in quality and service at a 5 vs. a 3 star. But like I said, which hotels are you considering? I'm sure the advice you get on this forum will be much more pointed with this info.<BR><BR>Good luck

if you are down in the Spanish steps, Navona ,trevi,pantheon area and have to walk up to Veneto area ! BUMMER!!<BR><BR>But that depends on the hotels...might you wish to share the names?

It is less than a 10 minute walk from the top of the Via veneto to the Spanish steps. If I recall correctly the only 5 stars there are the Excelsior, Regina, Majestic and ? Grand. All around the same area near the American Embassy. I slightly prefer the Spanish steps area but would stay at the 5 star at the Via veneto if it were my choice.

I highly recommend you the Albergo del Senato in the Pantheon. I loved the hotel and it couldn't be more central.

The hotels we are deciding between are the Regina Baglioni in the Via Veneto area and the Condotti Palio Bianco in the Spanish Steps area. Any opinions would be welcome.

topping

Mark,<BR><BR>We stayed at the Hotel Eden on the Via Veneto two years ago,(overpriced and stuffy) and found it very inconvenient for getting to the historical sites and back, esp. at night when cabs were not as plentiful. The Spanish Steps area seems more lively, and has more restaurants and shops to offer. Just wanted to mention, too, that although we did not go inside the Baglioni, we had thought of reserving there, and were quite glad we didn't when we walked past the hotel. The exterior seemed quite rundown for a four-star hotel. Of course, looks can be deceiving, but I thought it was worth