Hotel rec. for Rome

[Anonymous]

UA reduced the number of freq. flier miles required to fly to Europe so we're redeeming our miles and packing our bags for Rome.

Any recommendations on hotels? Our eyes are about to pop out after spending all night reading reviews on trip advisor, skoosk, kayak, and other various review websites.

I think part of the problem is that we can't figure out the "best" location to stay (Spanish Steps, the Vatican, Trastevere, etc.) - we want to see all the typical tourist attractions.

TIA.

[Anonymous]

I think staying by the spanish steps is a good location because you can walk everywhere. However, to get something decent, you will pay more as it is very touristy....

[Anonymous]

We stayed at the Westin Excelsior when we went a few years ago. It is near the Villa Borghese and the Spanish Steps. It is not extremely close to the Colosseum, Forum, etc. but if you like to walk, it is easily doable, especially stopping along the way for lunch, coffee, etc. I LOVE Rome, have a great time!

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=70

[Anonymous]

We've stayed at the dei Mellini and loved it -- walked everywhere. It is clean with a nice breakfast included and the staff could not have been friendlier. Not the Spanish Steps, but not the price either.

http://www.agoda.com/europe/italy/rome/dei_mellini_hotel.html

http://www.booking.com/hotel/it/dei-mellini.en.html

[Anonymous]

Do not stay at the Hotel D'Inghilterra - unless they have done a renovaton since we were last there 3 years ago -- it is run down and not that luxurious. For the price, we were very disappointed, and we had a top floor suite with a "view" -- supposedly one of the best rooms. You are paying for location and the hotel is riding on its reputation.

[Anonymous]

We liked the Hotel Smeraldo, though this was in 2004, can't promise it's the same now. Worth a look, though.

http://www.smeraldoroma.com/

[Anonymous]

Stay here - great location and totally walkable to most stuff. You'll be surprised, Rome is a relatively walkable city in most parts if you're a walker. Also, they have a million different on and off bus services to all the touristic places.
http://en.venere.com/hotels_rome/navona/hotel_ponte_sisto.html

[Anonymous]

I would definitely recommend staying near Piazza Navona or Campo de Fiori over the Spanish Steps (and the Vatican would be last). Trastavere is a great idea but not quite as convenient.

I would recommend looking into renting an apartment, especially if you are bringing kids. (Slowtrav.com is a good place to start looking.)

[Anonymous]

P.S. if you are flying UA you might want to consider buying into their "economy plus"-- I think for $300 two people flying together can get economy plus for a year.

[Anonymous]

I stayed in a small hotel near the Vatican yrs ago and it didn't feel very safe at night so I ended up getting back to my hotel early. I was on a budget back then so my choices were limited.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for all your helpful feedback and comments - great recommendations.

-the OP