I am trying to decide between these two hotels. Both are recommended in Rick Steves' book. Both will be close to the same cost. i've read reviews and the reviews seem very good for both (San Carlo slightly better score). The locations are close to major attractions.
Any advice from those of you that have stayed at either of these hotels?
Thanks for any input.
Have not stayed there but we liked the neighborhood of the Portoghesi when we lived in Rome. It is not far from Piazza Navona but seems more residential nonetheless. We frequented the Bar Portoghesi on the corner.
We stayed at the San Carlo after our tour of Sicily, for only one night before our flight home. We had two rooms. One was a splurge with a shaded patio. The patio was huge and we relaxed away several hours with a nice white wine. The hotel was lovely and they gave us good recommendations for lunch and dinner. Breakfast was very good. It is near the Spanish Steps which means the area is very crowded and restaurant prices are higher. Having said that we also enjoyed the Lancelot which is near the Coliseum and the Roman Forum.
We stayed at the Portoghesi.. 2 yrs ago. It was certainly nice enough, with a very nice breakfast room , top floor. Of course rooms are very small by US standards and the bed incredibly hard( in fact, hardest I have ever encountered). I would stay again but think twice about the bedding, if an issue for you. It is well located and clean.
We also stayed at Hotel Portoghesi... I recommend staying there, great location, fantastic breakfast on beautiful rooftop patio. My husband liked this place because they give you more than one towel, ha!! Room was small, but the bathroom was larger than I expected. A bit pricier than average, but well worth it. I did not experience a very hard bed, as one of the other commentators did. Have a great trip!
I stayed almost a week at the San Carlo last year and liked it. My single room was tiny but comfortable, and close to the (also tiny) elevator. The breakfast was nice, served on an enclosed terrace, and staff very helpful.
Good luck using this forum to choose between these hotels. Probably no one here has experience with both.
I like the Portoghesi's location very much. Rooftop breakfast room is pleasant. I think Christy and I may have had the same room. Hardest hotel bed I have EVER slept on in many years of traveling.
Ruth, thanks for confirming that!! Otherwise the hotel was fine!
