Where to Stay in Rome - Vatican area or Campo d' Fiori?
Nov 9th, 2013, 04:57 AM
#21
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I stand by my recco of Raphael. As for price, our stay was in 2009 so no doubt things are more expensive now but we got a good price and were upgraded to a junior suite at no extra.
We took the electric bus from Piazza del Popolo one time and it was mobbed. When we alit, my hub said, "I just attained my dream to be pinched by an Italian. Unfortunately, it was Sophia Loren in the dream, not someone older and fatter than I!"
The trams we were on had signs showing the next stops--very easy to navigate when you don't know what the stop actually looks like.
Looks like a great trip report, drchris. Do let everyone know about this trip.
We took the electric bus from Piazza del Popolo one time and it was mobbed. When we alit, my hub said, "I just attained my dream to be pinched by an Italian. Unfortunately, it was Sophia Loren in the dream, not someone older and fatter than I!"
The trams we were on had signs showing the next stops--very easy to navigate when you don't know what the stop actually looks like.
Looks like a great trip report, drchris. Do let everyone know about this trip.
Nov 9th, 2013, 05:23 AM
#22
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<i><font color=#555555>"As for price, our stay was in 2009 so no doubt things are more expensive now but we got a good price and were upgraded to a junior suite at no extra."</font></i>
2009 was 4 years ago. How on earth does your "good price" and/or "upgrade" relate to what is possible today? In 2010, Hotel Raphael became a Relais & Châteaux member. The hotel (and website) went through major renovations and redecoration, bringing in renowned American architect Richard Meier (now that's Italian). Their tiny "classic" rooms are going for 500€ in high season now. A cursory look at TripAdvisor reviews will shed light on just how small and expensive some of those rooms are.
I don't know why people insist on "standing by" 4-year-old information. Travel blogs are chock-full of "recco" NOISE. Things change, and outdated information is not helpful to people who wish to plan for the future.
2009 was 4 years ago. How on earth does your "good price" and/or "upgrade" relate to what is possible today? In 2010, Hotel Raphael became a Relais & Châteaux member. The hotel (and website) went through major renovations and redecoration, bringing in renowned American architect Richard Meier (now that's Italian). Their tiny "classic" rooms are going for 500€ in high season now. A cursory look at TripAdvisor reviews will shed light on just how small and expensive some of those rooms are.
I don't know why people insist on "standing by" 4-year-old information. Travel blogs are chock-full of "recco" NOISE. Things change, and outdated information is not helpful to people who wish to plan for the future.
Nov 9th, 2013, 06:26 AM
#23
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We've stayed a number of times at Residenza Canali ai Coronari. It's on a very quiet street one block away from Piazza Navona. The staff has always been very helpful, it's secure, and the rooms are pleasant and relatively spacious. Based on a quick look at their current prices (we last stayed there in Oct, 2009 in a suite because we had our daughter with us), it would be in your price range. We usually skip their breakfast to enjoy instead a coffee and cornetto at a cafe on the edge of the Piazza. The Residenza's breakfast is fine, we just prefer the view at the cafe!
I find the area around Piazza Navona just a little more centrally located for us, though we do also enjoy Campo d' Fiori. One of our best memories from the 2009 trip was sitting on the Campo when the market was closed, drinking wine/coffee and people watching.
I find the area around Piazza Navona just a little more centrally located for us, though we do also enjoy Campo d' Fiori. One of our best memories from the 2009 trip was sitting on the Campo when the market was closed, drinking wine/coffee and people watching.
Nov 9th, 2013, 07:19 AM
#24
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drchris- You are right to be concerned about noise for that apt right on the Campo dei Fiori. The Via Giuliani location is much quieter, albeit with no balcony,
Every place has its pros/cons.
If you opt for a hotel instead of an apt,, the suggestion above for Rezidenza Canali is good and is also on a quiet, very charming, pedestrian street.
Every place has its pros/cons.
If you opt for a hotel instead of an apt,, the suggestion above for Rezidenza Canali is good and is also on a quiet, very charming, pedestrian street.
Nov 9th, 2013, 07:26 AM
#25
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"2009 was 4 years ago. How on earth does your "good price" and/or "upgrade" relate to what is possible today?" It is up to the OP to contact the hotel(s) and decide. We are all letting other folks know about our experience(s). BM.
Nov 9th, 2013, 08:50 AM
#26
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<i><font color=#555555>"It is up to the OP to contact the hotel(s) and decide."</font></i>
I suppose that's someone's definition of being helpful.
<i><font color=#555555>"We are all letting other folks know about our experience(s)."</font></i>
Yes, yes, yes. This a great place to reminisce about a 4-year-old trip, and casually mention your luck with an upgrade at an overpriced hotel, even though the OP set a ceiling price of $250 a night. The cheapest room at Hotel Raphael (and you can be sure it will be a closet) in off-season is $323, and that requires you to pre-pay with no ability for a refund if you cancel. In high season, the same closet will cost your $485 a night, with the same restrictions. Not helpful.
Smart travelers know: for larger rooms, better views, better food and drinks, and much better service, walk a few blocks and stay at the Grand Hotel De La Minerve. You may even save 150€ a night, and I promise you, no shin bruises from bumping your leg into the bed frame.
I suppose that's someone's definition of being helpful.
<i><font color=#555555>"We are all letting other folks know about our experience(s)."</font></i>
Yes, yes, yes. This a great place to reminisce about a 4-year-old trip, and casually mention your luck with an upgrade at an overpriced hotel, even though the OP set a ceiling price of $250 a night. The cheapest room at Hotel Raphael (and you can be sure it will be a closet) in off-season is $323, and that requires you to pre-pay with no ability for a refund if you cancel. In high season, the same closet will cost your $485 a night, with the same restrictions. Not helpful.
Smart travelers know: for larger rooms, better views, better food and drinks, and much better service, walk a few blocks and stay at the Grand Hotel De La Minerve. You may even save 150€ a night, and I promise you, no shin bruises from bumping your leg into the bed frame.
Nov 9th, 2013, 08:56 AM
#27
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<i><font color=#555555>"The Via Giuliani location"</font></i>
It's Via Giulia, the famous street designed by Pope Julius II around 1508.
Giuliani is the former mayor of New York City who dressed in drag and trashed the mother of his children in public. He was also a god-awful, egotistical Republican who ran for president, but thankfully failed.
It's Via Giulia, the famous street designed by Pope Julius II around 1508.
Giuliani is the former mayor of New York City who dressed in drag and trashed the mother of his children in public. He was also a god-awful, egotistical Republican who ran for president, but thankfully failed.
Nov 9th, 2013, 03:04 PM
#28
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Alle fratte di Trastevere....just went this last Thursday for the first time and sorry I have to disagree with
Dutyfree and Trip Advisor.
I have been to Rome many times and decided to try this restaurant based on dutyfree's glowing reports and went expecting to be happy. My husband and I walked over from Piazza Paradiso where we were renting an apartment, for lunch one day. I had assured him that a fellow Fodorite, and flight attendant ate there regularly and loved the restaurant so we would no doubt have a great meal.
As it was Thursday (gnocci day in Rome) we both ordered that, had mushroom bruschetta and tomato bruschetta to start and a half carafe of vino rosso della casa. The tomato bruschetta was so salty it was unpleasant to eat and the tomatoes had changed texture as they do when chopped and kept quite a while....they start to look more clear....trust me I cook! The mushroom bruschetta was a brown, creamy pâté, if one could call it that, which we both agreed had absolutely no mushroom taste. I make mushroom bruschetta which is easy, delicious and tastes like mushrooms. We were wondering what theirs could be possibly be made of. The house wine which we have found usually to be drinkable in other restaurants was awful. The gnocci themselves were tender and good with the exception of the sauce which we both simultaneously said reminded us of that old Chef Boyardee stuff we ate as kids.....salty and creamy orange, but not written as an ala vodka sauce on the menu which might explain that.
While sitting on the terrace we were "entertained" by the husband who was following everyone down the street trying to get them to eat in the restaurant and every time in English would say "very good food and my wife is the cook". Well after having to hear that seven or eight times it got very annoying while eating. We started speaking with a Belgian couple who had just had the whole pepper shaker empty onto a plate of food (the top fell off) which had to go back into the kitchen and they too were disappointed in their meals. They finished before us, paid their bill and were not happy when they had to call the husband over to state they paid with a 100 euro note and they were given change for a 50. If you are familiar with euros, the 100 euro note is bigger and hard to mistake and they were of the first of those dining to get a bill and pay so it was not busy at the cash register. They felt that this was probably not a mistake but intentionally happened.
All these things added up to an experience that was very disappointing and with other really great meals we have had in Rome we felt this one was a total waste. Of one other thing we observed was a waiter or maybe a son who started to help out with the service on the terrace had a knife and fork in the back pocket of his jeans which he used to replace some missing on one of the tables....not very appealing to see that.
So dutyfree, I really enjoy all your travel advice and this is not to trash your favorite restaurant in Rome but to give a current report on our disappointing experience. That is one restaurant I would never consider going back to....just way too many things off the mark.
Dutyfree and Trip Advisor.
I have been to Rome many times and decided to try this restaurant based on dutyfree's glowing reports and went expecting to be happy. My husband and I walked over from Piazza Paradiso where we were renting an apartment, for lunch one day. I had assured him that a fellow Fodorite, and flight attendant ate there regularly and loved the restaurant so we would no doubt have a great meal.
As it was Thursday (gnocci day in Rome) we both ordered that, had mushroom bruschetta and tomato bruschetta to start and a half carafe of vino rosso della casa. The tomato bruschetta was so salty it was unpleasant to eat and the tomatoes had changed texture as they do when chopped and kept quite a while....they start to look more clear....trust me I cook! The mushroom bruschetta was a brown, creamy pâté, if one could call it that, which we both agreed had absolutely no mushroom taste. I make mushroom bruschetta which is easy, delicious and tastes like mushrooms. We were wondering what theirs could be possibly be made of. The house wine which we have found usually to be drinkable in other restaurants was awful. The gnocci themselves were tender and good with the exception of the sauce which we both simultaneously said reminded us of that old Chef Boyardee stuff we ate as kids.....salty and creamy orange, but not written as an ala vodka sauce on the menu which might explain that.
While sitting on the terrace we were "entertained" by the husband who was following everyone down the street trying to get them to eat in the restaurant and every time in English would say "very good food and my wife is the cook". Well after having to hear that seven or eight times it got very annoying while eating. We started speaking with a Belgian couple who had just had the whole pepper shaker empty onto a plate of food (the top fell off) which had to go back into the kitchen and they too were disappointed in their meals. They finished before us, paid their bill and were not happy when they had to call the husband over to state they paid with a 100 euro note and they were given change for a 50. If you are familiar with euros, the 100 euro note is bigger and hard to mistake and they were of the first of those dining to get a bill and pay so it was not busy at the cash register. They felt that this was probably not a mistake but intentionally happened.
All these things added up to an experience that was very disappointing and with other really great meals we have had in Rome we felt this one was a total waste. Of one other thing we observed was a waiter or maybe a son who started to help out with the service on the terrace had a knife and fork in the back pocket of his jeans which he used to replace some missing on one of the tables....not very appealing to see that.
So dutyfree, I really enjoy all your travel advice and this is not to trash your favorite restaurant in Rome but to give a current report on our disappointing experience. That is one restaurant I would never consider going back to....just way too many things off the mark.
Nov 9th, 2013, 06:07 PM
#30
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The rest of you might want to go on Tripadvisor.com,Fodors,Rick Steves and a few other guidebooks and travel places as that restaurant always gets glowing reviews.Sorry you didn't have a good meal but I stand by it as a great place to eat and I have eaten at alot of places throughout Rome in the past decade!
Nov 9th, 2013, 06:52 PM
#31
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Definitely agree with Campo de Fiori area - terrific location, with so much to do in walking distance.
We stayed in this apartment in December last year (just off via Guilia) - it's up a couple of flights of stairs with an elevator that starts one floor up from the entrance door - not so good if you are fairly strong and agile (unless you pack lighter than us!)
If you're still looking at other options, I'd recommend and be confident to use the agent again - an extensive range of apartments in lots of locations at multiple price-points!
http://www.rentalinrome.com/campodef...ricalapartment
We stayed in this apartment in December last year (just off via Guilia) - it's up a couple of flights of stairs with an elevator that starts one floor up from the entrance door - not so good if you are fairly strong and agile (unless you pack lighter than us!)
If you're still looking at other options, I'd recommend and be confident to use the agent again - an extensive range of apartments in lots of locations at multiple price-points!
http://www.rentalinrome.com/campodef...ricalapartment
Nov 10th, 2013, 05:26 PM
#32
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Again, thanks for the responses. I am checking out the accommodations but unfortunately most are beyond our price range. We have many more places on our bucket list to visit, so we can't spend all of our travel money in Italy! I am keeping all of the restaurant reviews in my Rome file.
bendigo - The apartment is lovely and is within our price range. I will show it to DH and we will certainly consider it. Can you share more about your dealings with rentalinrome - how responsive they were to emails and phone calls; how you got info to contact the apartment owner and arrange to get keys; when and how security deposit was returned, etc. Thanks!
bendigo - The apartment is lovely and is within our price range. I will show it to DH and we will certainly consider it. Can you share more about your dealings with rentalinrome - how responsive they were to emails and phone calls; how you got info to contact the apartment owner and arrange to get keys; when and how security deposit was returned, etc. Thanks!
Nov 10th, 2013, 06:06 PM
#33
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Here is another option in the Campo area. We did not stay in this apartment (Casa Paradiso Loft), but stayed in the adjoining apartment (Casa Paradiso)which is slightly bigger. Both have the same owner, who was very responsive to our questions. The location was excellent, the apartment very clean and quiet. While in Rome, we had a question for the owner, and she responded promptly (she speaks English). She also arranged for transport to airport.
The smaller apartment rents for 130 euros/night.
http://www.vrbo.com/320914
http://www.vrbo.com/305032
The smaller apartment rents for 130 euros/night.
http://www.vrbo.com/320914
http://www.vrbo.com/305032
Nov 11th, 2013, 12:12 AM
#34
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Hi DrChris,
All my dealings with RentalinRome were done via email - we're in Australia.
I found that if I was up late enough trying to sort things out, the Rental in Rome staff were on the job, so email responses were usually pretty prompt.
All our contact was done through the agent. We organised pick-up from Termini station with them, and were met on site by one of their people, who had keys and showed us how things worked - including great free wi-fi included.
Security deposit was to be by cheque or cash - returned by agent staffer who turned up at arranged exit time on last day to collect keys, etc.
As I indicated, only draw back was narrow stairway and fact that elevator started one floor up - we managed, but I'm 6'2" and about 210lb and fairly fit - and this was our last stop on a three and a half week trip, so there was more heavy luggage than when we started (London, Paris, Venice, Florence were earlier stops, with detours to Oxford and Pisa).
I would recommend the agency - lots of apartments on their books - the photos and video were accurate for the one we stayed in, so there is no reason to assume that descriptions of the others would be misleading.
And the location was BELLISSIMO!
All my dealings with RentalinRome were done via email - we're in Australia.
I found that if I was up late enough trying to sort things out, the Rental in Rome staff were on the job, so email responses were usually pretty prompt.
All our contact was done through the agent. We organised pick-up from Termini station with them, and were met on site by one of their people, who had keys and showed us how things worked - including great free wi-fi included.
Security deposit was to be by cheque or cash - returned by agent staffer who turned up at arranged exit time on last day to collect keys, etc.
As I indicated, only draw back was narrow stairway and fact that elevator started one floor up - we managed, but I'm 6'2" and about 210lb and fairly fit - and this was our last stop on a three and a half week trip, so there was more heavy luggage than when we started (London, Paris, Venice, Florence were earlier stops, with detours to Oxford and Pisa).
I would recommend the agency - lots of apartments on their books - the photos and video were accurate for the one we stayed in, so there is no reason to assume that descriptions of the others would be misleading.
And the location was BELLISSIMO!
Nov 11th, 2013, 01:58 AM
#35
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Hi bendigo, am relieved to hear your experience with Rental in Rome was positive. As mentioned I've booked an apartment through them for next June, immediately after which there were a couple of threads about how they were unreliable, etc, which made me wonder. Like you thus far I've found them to be correct and professional, they also have a lot of good places on their books - I believe we looked at the place you rented too, but didn't need two bedrooms.
Nov 12th, 2013, 01:05 AM
#36
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geetika - that place looks fantastic.
We never had any probs with the agent, and would definitely use them again.
We were in need of the second bedroom and the sofa bed, and actually found the space pretty good for the five of us (but maybe that was after the tiny apartment in Paris and the 5 bed hotel room in Venice!)
Have a fantastic time - there really is no substitute for being in the historic centre of any city when you are visiting for the history and atmosphere!
We never had any probs with the agent, and would definitely use them again.
We were in need of the second bedroom and the sofa bed, and actually found the space pretty good for the five of us (but maybe that was after the tiny apartment in Paris and the 5 bed hotel room in Venice!)
Have a fantastic time - there really is no substitute for being in the historic centre of any city when you are visiting for the history and atmosphere!
Jan 15th, 2014, 07:01 PM
#39
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We have just booked an apartment through B & B Association of Rome - the one on Via Giulia, near Campo de Fiori. Hope it's as nice as it looks in the photos!That was our last booking for the trip, so I'm glad to have it done!Now on to the details!
