Our family of four is traveling to rome for the first time and are looking for an apartment for four nights. We can't decide if we should stay near the spanish steps, campo dei fiori, or nearer to Piazza Navona. We will only be spending two -three days in rome as we are hoping to take a long day trip to Pompeii one day. Suggestions???

IMO where you should stay in Rome depends on a lot of different factors.
I'm willing to bet you that the majority of people who respond to this will do the usual knee-jerk "stay near the Piazza Navona" thing without a second thought.

But, i would ask...

1) Why did you pick those three places as possibilities in particular

2) Are you going to see the so-called "major" sites and do you know how far they really ARE from these three locations?

3) Did you plan to use the Metro to get around if you stay near the Spanish Steps?

good questions - Yes, we are planning a day of "ancient rome", and a day at the vatican, with evening walks at other major sights. We typically use undergrounds whenever possible and need to get back to the train station for the pompeii trip and then as we leave for tuscany.

OK--here is my knee jerk !
Hard to beat for location and price.
www.palazzo-olivia.it

Have fun !

Piazza Navona and Campo dei Fiori are quite close to one another, so there's not a lot of difference between staying in one or the other. Personally, I didn't like the area around the Spanish Steps very much, as it seemed very crowded and touristy. My daughter and I had an apartment near Campo dei Fiori just off the Via Banchi Vecchi, and we loved it there. I was fairly quiet, but close enough to most of the sights to walk. For getting to and from the Termini, we used notorious Bus #64, the "pickpocket express", but we never had any difficulties with it. We used busses to get to a number of places, and by the end of the week my 16-year-old daughter was my bus route expert.

we had an apartment in campo di fiori from venere.com. loved it and the location. convenient.

Hi,

I am a first time user here. May I know if I can join in if I have a related question or must I start a new thread ?
I plan to travel to Europe and may I ask if budget hotels or hostels are available in every district in Rome or at any particular area ?

My knee's a-jerkin'. Go for Campo dei Fiori/Navona area if you're only going to spend two actual days in Rome. (Subliminal message: spend more more more than two days in Rome. Rinse. Repeat.)

I've rented economical places from both realrome.com and undergroundviaggi. You can read reviews on slowtrav.com.

I've also stayed at the del Senato: a lovely hotel, and worth it to wake up with the Pantheon outside your window.

I'm less wild about the Spanish Steps area, but I like particular streets in many neighborhoods in Rome--problem is I have a hard time remembering which ones.

To chinesefan: include your budget and when you plan on travelling in your other thread. Also, which countries you intend to visit. This information will help people advise you.

We stayed next to the Campo di Fiori in August and walked everywhere, with the exception of the Vatican - we took the bus there. The location was very convenient. If you decide to stay in a hotel, rather than an apartment, have a look at the Hotel Teatro di Pompeo. It is a small, inexpensive hotel with AC, fridge, bathroom, etc.

One comment about Albergo del Senato. We've stayed there and love it. In fact, we're staying there again in May; however, the rates are significantly higher than last May. We paid 250 euros in 2005 and will pay 315 euros in 2006. Ouch! I have to admit, though, we're willing to pay it for the spectacular view, location, and service.

Thank Leely,

I have no fixed dates or places but more on a tight budget. I hope to see the most of Europe in 30 days. How many days do I need in Rome alone ?

Here's another knee-jerk for the Piazza Navona area. We were able to walk to the Vatican, Colliseum, etc. Campo dei Fiori was a 5 minute walk from our apartment.

I second the recommendation for www.palazzo-olivio.it

Carla promptly responds to emails and was able to answer our questions when we arrived.

hi
any more details available on Palazzo Olivia? Room types, elevator or not, noisy or not, breakfast or not, public spaces...?

never mind, I just realized the website url was provided

people, people why not stay in a convent. they are plentiful in italy especially in rome. we stayed at one in 2001 it was wonderful. not your typical convent either, yes they are run by nuns but that is about as religious as it got. the one we stayed at was a 5 minute walk to the vatican wonderfully safe neighbor hood and for only $23.00 a night! this is the only way to travel.spend your money on something else! "bed and blessings italy" is the name of the book that is filled with wonderful convents and monasteries. caio

Just returned from staying at the Albergo del Senato for 6 nights. We thought the Pantheon area so convenient to everywhere else. Certainly wouldn't stay up at the Spanish steps, too crowded and too far away. Agree about the Senato being expensive, we had a junior suite and paid 350E a night, not sure it was really worth it. But the position was everything.

amp1958, you made a good suggestion, but it is not'the only way to travel'--some travelers don't want curfews, some want rooms with more amenities, and some don't want restrictions on who sleeps where or with whom, etc, that the convent-pensions often have, from what I have read.

I "third" the Palazzo Olivia. Carla is indeed helpful as well as Stefano the owner. Great location near Piazza Navona area. I am going to Italy again next year and plan on staying there again.

Did I read that the Palazzo Oliva does not have air conditioning? Won't that we a problem in June?

We were warm at the beginning of May. The air wasn't on so we slept with the windows open - would have been more comfortable with the a/c. I think you would want air in June. We're more acclimated to hot weaather than many others since we live in Texas. Happy travels!