How to reserve a room in Rome? near Campo de' Fiori

Thanks so much for all the suggestions.
Keep them coming!!!
I checked out the Hotel Panda on Trip Advisor and saw that it had no A/C. Since my trip is in August I thought that should be a no-go item. :)

Send a fax with your cc info shouldn't be a problem. Hotels typically send a confirmation but just to be on the safe side include your e-mail address in the fax stating that you need a confirmation. Also look at Venere.com for a hotel. The site is secure and allows you to book instantly/

Reserving a hotel in Rome is no different than reseerving in the US. Most hotels have a web site, the web site allows you to determine availability and price. You can reserve on line, send credit card info, etc. Using a fax doesn't provide much, if any increased security for your credit card. They send confirmation just like anyone else. It will tough to find something around the Partheon for less than $120. The Aberdeen is not near Partheon and probably will be higher. I would look closer to the train station for less expensive hotels. Is it $120 or 120 Euro? 120 Euro is about $160 plus.

I haven’t actually stayed there yet, but I reserved a small double at Hotel Panda (www.hotelpanda.it ) for 78 Euro a night, they are located right next to the Spanish Steps and have gotten good reviews on other sights as well as are recommended in other guidebooks – you might want to check them out.

Also, I have used email to reserve all of my hotels for this trip and a trip I took last year. I, too, was really hesitant to put my credit card in an email, but have had no problems. Sometimes it takes a couple days to get a reply, to which they will either inform you that the hotel is booked or “offer” you their availability. At this point you email them again, generally with your deposit information, and they email you back one more time. Good luck!!

Which probably explains why it is 78E. Rome can be hot. Forgot to add earlier we stayed in the Hotel Sonya near the Opera House and three blocks south west of the train station. We paid 128E with cash discount. The breakfast was the best of several hotels we have stayed in Rome.

We've stayed at the Hotel Smeraldo and loved the area and the accomodations. It might be hard to get reservations because it is a Rick Steves' recommended hotel and gets lots of business. We made our reservations with them by email but paid cash when we arrived to take advantage of their discount. You will see their on-line reservations form when you go to their website. One note if you stay there: as recommended in Rick Steves' book, skip the breakfast and buy something at the coffee shop across the street instead. Also, the morning market at Campo dei Fiori really is great.

Irene, When I booked my B&B's for my trip to Italy via the internet, I sent two emails. The first email included part of my credit card info and the second email included the rest of the credit card info. I did notify the B&B's that I would be doing it that way. I had no problems and I always received a confirmation email. Happy travels !!
Try Cross-Pollinate.com for a B&B. Also try The Beehive in Rome for availability. They own several B&B's throughout Italy using the Cross-Pollinate website. They have been very kind and prompt in answering my emails.

A good hotel in this area is Residenza San Pantaleo. It is located between Piazza Novana and Camp de' Fiori.

The website is: www.residenzasanpantaleo.com. Our rate was 120E/night for a double with a bathroom in the room & A/C.

We did all of our booking via email.

We stayed at the Hotel Lancelot in Rome in April 2006. It is about a 5-minute walk to the Colosseum. Fantastic hotel, VERY friendly, family-run for ages, great breakfast and dinner, and they have a lift! :)

Irene, check out the Hotel Nadizzi Americana, recommended in Rick's guide. From August 1-31, they are running their "Overbooking Special", double rooms for an incredible 55 EUR night. We got this rate at Christmas and found the hotel to be very nice, with an all you can eat (rolls, cereal, juice, etc.) breakfast. It's in a safe, convenient location. The high season rates are 160 EUR per night for a Db, so this is a fantastic deal.

http://www.hotelnardizzi.it/special-offers.php

Oh,and I forgot to add...the Nardizzi Americana has AC!!!!

You might also consider an apartment/B&B stay. I know that www.cross-pollinate.com has a few near Campo de'Fiori and you can't beat the price. Cross Pollinate is run by the Beehive people, who are recommended in Rick's book.