Will be spending 5 or 6 nights in Rome in April. Our first visit to Rome. We will be using our starwood points so the rooms will be free. Here is our dilemma. Should we stay at the Westin Excelsior on Via Veneto or the St. Regis which is three blocks from the train station. We are in our middle fifties. (We is myself and husband). Thank you ahead of time.

One way to decide is to use google Earth to look up and down the street(s).

I'd prefer the location of the Excelsior's location for a stay of 5 or 6 nights. While not exactly quite, it's location is certainly quieter than the very busy streets of the St Regis in it's position on the block between Piazza della Repubblica and Via 20 Settembre.

Agree.

I loved the Excelsior. It is beautiful, both in the public rooms and the guest rooms. The breakfast buffet is fabulous there too. Also, I liked the location. It is not too far from the Borghese Gardens, the Trevi Fountain, even Santa Maria della Vittoria, the church housing Bernini's exquisite the Ecstasy of Santa Theresa.

Another vote for the Excelsior - a lovely hotel in a pretty location not overrun with tourists and walkable to many places.

It looks like the Westin Excelsior will be our choice. You have confirmed what I have been reading. Our first day in Rome we will be jet-lagged. Coming from New Jersey. But, we would love to see the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. About how long of a walk are they from the Westin Excelsior? Also, any good lunch places near the Westin Excelsior? We love pasta, cheeses, meats and are dying to try fried zucchini flowers. Thank you for the help.

You can make that walk in about 30 minutes. And the Borghese Gardens makes for a nice place to recharge your batteries after a long day.

Check out the side streets for small places and avoid the overpriced cafes on the Via Veneto. We found a great little wine bar off the main street and a small trattoria down a steep flight of steps down another. I did not keep the names though.

Make sure you read the long thread by ekscrunchy about her foodie trip to Rome.

There is a great -very old school place called- Fischetteria Marini in Via Raffaele Cadorna, 9 - it is only open for lunch. The menu changes daily. It is very authentic (and very reasonably priced) and always crowded with locals at lunch. It is only open monday-friday.