We are staying 3 nights in Rome in June. 2 adults and 2 kids. Where are the best areas to stay that are close to the sights? Also, any good hotel recommendations would be greatly appreciated! A room with a separate sitting area would be ideal.
Thank you!
Cindy
Budget matters greatly, since you need a family style room.
If budget allows this hotel's location cannot be beat:
http://www.hotelsolealpantheon.com/
Stayed here and loved it and they have family style large rooms available that most hotels may not have.
In general I believe this Pantheon Piazza area or the nearby Piazza Navona area is the best place to stay in all of Rome.
Other areas are cheaper which also are closer to Public Transit but not nicer areas and some areas like around the Spanish Steps more expensive but not better unless you want to be really pampered and pay a premium for luxury and high end details.
If budget is tight for your needs, I would be more likely to book something on airb2b or homeaway than a hotel in a less desirable location.
We stayed in a wonderful 2 bed/2 bath apartment less than a block north of Pizza Navona. It was definitely cheaper than two moderately-priced hotel rooms and much more comfortable.
There are several 'holiday apartment' web sites out there and I've found that most apartments are listed on most of them. I found the rental experience to be very easy and rewarding. (I booked my Venice, Florence and Rome apartments via Trip Adviser and paid via paypal.)
I would stay in the general area around Piazza Navona. This puts almost everything within a reasonable walking distance for most people. Although, if booked on an early morning tour of the Vatican, a taxi might be advisable (but it's only about e10.)
A Rome hint - If arriving by train, only get into a licensed taxi. Before getting in, check for taxi license stickers and a functioning meter. If you don't see these, decline and wait for the next one.
Cindy, I agree that staying near Piazza Navonna, the Pantheon or Campo di Fiori is great. The area is very historic and scenic, and walkable. By the way, Frigidarium Gelato near Piazza Navona is great!
I highly recommend the Hotel Golden
www.hotelgoldenrome.com
This is a family run hotel, close to the Borghese Gardens, Via Veneto, Spanish Steps. Our stay there was one of the highlights of our Italian trip. The family is so nice, we were welcomed like guests in their home. The rooms are very large and comfortable. And the breakfast.....amazing!!! Each morning Mama Teresa serves homemade treats, as well as meats, cheeses, an egg dish, fruit and more. The best tiramisu I have ever had!! I want to return to Rome just to stay here again!!
We loved Hotel Lancelot, near Colosseum and San Clemente. Terrific breakfasts and option of having an excellent, relaxing dinner there (let them know in the morning) if you don't want to drag yourself out at night after sightseeing all day. Family-run and Mrs. Khan speaks flawless English, as does most of the staff. They helped us book advance museum tix and figure out bus and metro directions and offered a lot of other assistance during our stay. Our room had a balcony with view of St. Peter's. I don't know if they have sleeping rooms with sitting areas, but there is a large, comfortable "living room" adjacent to the dining room where many guests hung out and visited.
Thank you for all of your recommendations! We will be staying at the Hotel Sole Al Pantheon!
