I enquired at the Hotel Semeraldo for available rooms for a 2-night stay in June 2010. Yes, they have rooms. However, they wanted me to pay a deposit equal to the first night's room charge...a NONREFUNDABLE deposit.
I actually laughed out loud when I read that! Is this one still in Rick's book? If so, there definitely needs to be an update to the entry.
We've stayed there in the past but I don't remember the non-refundable deposit. When I inquired about the rate and cancellation fee for an upcoming trip to Rome and the hotel e-mailed information about the non-refundable fee I decided to find another hotel for this trip.
Well it certainly does NOT entice me to stay there. I guess Rick's book has thrown so many customers their way they afford to lose a few like you and I!
Too many nice, centrally located hotels in Rome to be dealing with Non-Refundable deposits.
Tim, I agree and I've recommended it many times in the past!
We stayed at the Hotel Smeraldo and did not like it, definitely spend your money elsewhere.
Tim, you will find cheaper rates if yo do a non refundable. But in my opion it locks you in too much this far in advance. Go to eurobookings and check out rome IT and you can scan for good rates with refundable rates. We too are going to rome in june 2010 and so far will probably stay at the raffaello but I am looking to stay closer to the spanish steps a more central location
We stayed at the Casa Di' Santa Brigida in the Piazza Farnese in June 2008 and plan to do so again in June 2010. It is perfectly located one square away from the Campo Di' Fiore and makes almost every sight walkable. It's run by the Sisters of Saint Brigid. It is impeccable. Clean, quiet, beautiful. A rooftop terrace for a glass of wine and a lovely breakfast. A wonderful respite in between the intensity of a Roman adventure. It's in Rick's book. A little more expensive than some places but worth every euro. It is not a five star hotel with all the luxuries, but it's not a hostel either. We are recommending it to everyone who, like us, is looking for a place to rest in peace (no beer parties and revolving doors here).
We stayed here 3 or 4 nights in July 2006 and they had this policy at that time too. We don't usually book accommodations 10 months in advance so I didn't really have a problem with it. I don't necessarily agree with the policy but I know we would stay here again just for the full blast a/c. We have never stayed any place in all of our numerous European travels that had that great of a/c, and there can be some pretty lame a/c in Italy/Europe, and it sure felt good when we took our afternoon siestas.
I notice Smeraldo mentioned here A LOT, either because it's very popular or because it's such a strange sounding name I notice it.
Anyway, I'd say their business is so good they can't stand to risk an empty room since they can always fill it if they'd known you're not coming.
I'd rather stay at a place that's hungry for my business. They would be likely to work harder to give good service.
In June we stayed in the heart of the historic district at Hotel Giardino, another Rick Steves pick, and liked it fine. They had several empty rooms while we were there, worked hard to keep us happy, and asked us to recommend them on TripAdvisor.com, which we did. The place is nothing fancy, but clean and friendly and wanting to earn your business.
I loved Hotel Madrid Roma.
I've been to Rome many times and last year stayed at Hotel Smeraldo for the first time. The policy was the same then. I have to say for the price and location is was great and I would definitely stay there again.
Over the past year, I've stayed in Chicago twice and NYC once and in order to get the best available rate had to pay for my entire stay upfront which was non-refundable. I find hotels in big cities vs. towns operate differently.
I agree with past reviewers that the customer service at Hotel Smeraldo could best be described as "professional" or 'civil" but I can't say it was any warmer at the Fairmont in Chicago.
If you are sure of your dates and want a clean, reasonable room in an awesome location then it's a great choice. Probably why Rick keeps it in his book.
Susan makes a good point. In the last few days we've spent hours searching for a good hotel rate in Rome and the bottom line is--it's just an expensive city for hotels. For the location, the price at Hotel Smeraldo is very reasonable compared to other hotels in Rome. Even with their non-refundable deposit they probably don't have a problem filling their rooms.
We wanted something a little less expensive and ended up using the Bed and Breakfast Association of Rome for a room near the Vatican @92 euro per night.
So now I retract what I said in a prior post--if I was willing to spend a little more for a room I would probably consider Hotel Smeraldo--I'd just be sure that my dates were firm!
I agree, they probably "don't" have a problem filling their rooms with their primo location...so why should they have a problem "not" charging you if you give an adequate cancellation notice?
"I agree, they probably "don't" have a problem filling their rooms with their primo location...so why should they have a problem "not" charging you if you give an adequate cancellation notice?"
A couple of answers: 1) they are good capitalists and 2) greed.
Most places have a more agreeable cancellation policy. These folks, not so much. It's not uncommon. Those who have, get. Those who don't, don't.
When we were in Siena, we decided to leave town a day early and head on to Volterra. Our hotel said, sorry but we need 1 week notice. So we had to pay for our last night even though we checked out and left. That's part of the price of traveling. The locals always have the advantage.
I think you're taking this all WAY too personally. It's a business. Basically you're asking them to tie up their resources on the chance that you'll show up. The Smeraldo is a great hotel with a fabulous location it's still in Rick's book as it should be.
Patrick makes a great point--- it's simply a part of the cost of travelling. Look at it this way if the hotel were to "change it's mind" at the last minute, say for example the guests occupying your intended room were to decide that they didn't want to go on to Volterra but would rather stay in Siena for a few more days should they tell you "sorry but we've had a change in plans no room for you" would you be ok with that?
"I think you're taking this all WAY too personally. It's a business."
I think the problem here is that most other businesses don't do this. Most have a more lenient cancellation policy...like requiring a month's notice.
Asking for a non-refundable deposit in August 2009 for a reservation in June 2010 is not usual. I've stayed at a LOT of places and never run across a cancellation policy this stiff. Tim has good reason to question it.
Maggie.. it has not been my experience that most hotels ask for a non refundable cancellation fee of one whole night,, unles the cancellation is short notice. And, the fee is not taken till you actually cancel, they just keep your CC number on file. That is how every hotel I have ever used has worked so far. The most I have paid for a cancellation was a 5 euro penalty when I cancelled on place a month in advance. Fair enough I thought.
Now, there is available online at some places a special cheap room rate,, only available if you paid entire amount up front , and non refundable. I would never use such an option that far in advance,, perhaps a month or two max. and only for a few days stay, so that if for some reason I had to cancel the loss would not be staggering.
I absolutely do beleive some places that are lucky enough to get promoted in RS guide( and others guide books) do start to take their good fortune for granted. Its free advertizing for a whole year, and many of the places suffer little vacancies because of it, hence a bit of a take it or leave it attitude developes .. NOT all the places, but I am in sure in some of them , this is true.
One night penalty for not showing up and not giving adequate cancellation notice is fair.
Charging the entire amount upfront non-refundable is, well...too big for their britches :-)
Hi,
I hope maybe someone will see this and be able to respond quickly as rooms seem to be going fast. I am inquiring into Hotel Smeraldo for 2-night stay for 4 people in June 2010 as well. They also told me the same thing - 7 days in advance one night will be charged to the credit card, nonrefundable. That is fine, however, their website says all fees and services are included in the room rate yet they are telling us that they will charge 50 euros flat rate for airport transfer and Civitavecchia port transfer. Anyone have tip or better information?
Also, I saw somewhere on here a mention of a "Rick Steves" discount? Is that true? How would we get that?
Rebecca,
I am staying there this July and got an e-mail confirmation stating that they can provide airport transport for 50E if you are interested. So they are offering a service if you are interested. I got the impression from your e-mail that you think that it is not an option?
Rebecca,
Just on the airport pickup question which is applicablre no matter which hotel you choose, 50 euros is not unreasonable for 4 people. When we last took the Leonardo Express, it was 11 pp. That would be 44 euros, and then you have to get from Termini to the hotel. Just be sure the 50 includes all 4 people. I'd also check out some of the shuttle services that have been mentioned from time to time on this forum.
