NYCTS, I appreciate your post. I read probably 100 reviews before deciding on Alla Campana, so knew about the pros/cons of finding it (you have to check in at the hotel a little further down the street), small rooms, etc. Fortunately, those aren't significant issues for us. We could have afforded more and were planning on it, but didn't see the need after doing the research.

We purposely chose a hotel in Trastavere. Although it is a little off the beaten path, from everything I've read about the area, it is a great place to set up shop. The hotel we chose is a converted monastery with a garden and rooftop terrace, and has exceptional breakfasts :)

You don't need to spend more. Venice has plenty of $100 rooms. Those of us who visit often have acquired a taste for specific neighborhoods.

Some people have a tough time with Calle dei Fabbri. The calle is so narrow, almost no sunlight, and that side of San Marco is incredibly maze-like, confusing and claustrophobic. At Carnivale, Calle dei Fabbri has lines of people moving at a snail's pace to and from San Marco. It's the main drag connecting San Marco to the Rialto so there's a lot of hustle and bustle at all hours. This can be fun, sort of like Times Square, if that's your thing. I like to visit and then leave to the more peaceful and quiet Dorsoduro.

Without luggage, the northern side of San Marco is fun to explore but it takes getting lost a couple of times to truly figure it out, even with a good map. No wonder the hotel uses storefronts in its directions. Let's hope Foot Locker hasn't gone out of business.

Trastevere is bohemian lovely but it's so far from the Spanish Steps and some of my favorite museums, shops and restaurants. But many visitors love it and don't mind the back and forth schlep across the Tiber. Like I said, don't use Italy to break in new shoes. :-)

jimday, thanks to your post we just booked eight nights at the San Francesco over Christmas. It looks great, and we love the Trastevere area. Great restaurants, and if you're in any kind of shape, Trastevere area is a walkable distance to most every place you would want to go in Rome. Thanks for the info.

((H))

I can speak to Florence & Rome.

Florence-Hotel Casci
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...ECK_RATES_CONT

Rome-Hotel Lancelot
http://rome-hotels.tripadvisor.com/H...ome_Lazio.html

Good prices, great reviews.

Great to hear, maitaitom! We will be there 6 weeks before you, and hope you enjoy it as much as I'm sure we will.

maitaitom - nice to talk to you since the DC GTG. We stayed at the San Francesco this past January for 4 nights and enjoyed it very much. I describe it some detail in my trip report and have pictures of hotel at www.flickr.com/photos/basingstoke2/sets.

BE SURE that you specify a room on the Garden side rather than the street - they are brighter, quiet and have a lovely view. Rooms ending in 6 are corner rooms and are larger and brighter than the others. BTW, they gave us a significant discount for cash. Be sure to ask.