Looking for someplace new to stay in Rome, and the CT.

Try either the Althea Inn or Hotel Alimandi Vaticano. Each in different parts of Rome. Both well run, and comfortable.

Jeff,

Several years ago I stayed at The Beehive in Rome. It is both a hostel and a boutique hotel. It is owned by a husband and wife, and the staff was very nice. It is in the Termini neighborhood very close to the train station.

Sharon

Jeff,

A few suggestions to look at....

• Rome - you might have a look at Hotel Sonya or Hotel Aberdeen, both in the area near Termini station.
• Cinque Terre - in Monterosso I would highly recommend Hotel Villa Steno! You could also try Hotel Pasquale or for a more "upscale" location with incredible views (and a pool), have a look at Hotel Porto Roca (there are many hotels to choose from). In Manarola you could have a look at La Torretta (not cheap, but exceptional).

Rick steves recommend Hotel Aberdeen, I have stayed there several times. Great accommodations and location. Check out the website. In Venice, Hotel AL Codega . In CT don't remember, that's how bad it was.

Lorieann

Jeff, a peek at your past posts seem to indicate that your trip is in July? If it's THIS July you're very late for finding any openings in the 5 CT villages: they book up months in advance of high season. Never say never, as cancellations do happen, but you may end up in La Spezia or Levanto. Then again, you've previously been to the CT so maybe you already knew that?

I didn't even look at my past posts when I wrote this. We have planned this trip several times recently, but expecting children have kept us at home. We are planning for early October.

We have been in March, November, and May, so we are hopeful for good weather in October.

I have heard that the CT will be limiting visitors. Is this true?

No, the Cinque Terre will not be limiting visitors. It is a long and convoluted story, but do not worry. October is beautiful there, our favorite month.

In Venice, we really like Ca'Angeli in San Polo. Very old-world in a good way. Nice people, outstanding breakfast, 24-7 desk and very secure.

Apologies, Jeff: I SWEAR I saw mention of July but now I can't find it. Must have been hallucinating!

Jeff, we've been to Rome five times now. Have you considered renting an apartment in Rome, rather than staying at a hotel? If so, I could recommend a fantastic apartment in the Testaccio neighborhood.

I just booked http://www.the-beehive.com/rooms.html. It looks nice and is near everything. Someone else said it was a good place to stay.

While never having stayed at the Beehive, I have used their website Cross-Pollinate.com to find lodging. We have been very happy with their offerings in Venice, Rome, Florence, Paris, Barcelona. Great customer service, they speak English and the places are usually in the apartment/B and B type. Not hotels that I am aware of. While I have never had any place cancel on me, if there was a problem, they will find another place to stay for you. Also I have emailed Steve and he has suggested places that are not on their website even in NYC. Highly recommend.

We are staying at Hotel Oceania as mentioned in book near Termini Station. Very nice, quiet and great location.

I just booked into two very cute, small boutique hotels in Rome for this July. Excellentreviews on booking.com, but I haven't been to either yet. I'll report back in trip reports later this summer, but you can look these up if you're interested: Residenza Storica, San Pietro Arte in Suite

I also recommend Hotel Villa Steno in the Cinque Terre. If possible, ask for room 6. It has a great view with a great patio.

A couple of years ago after a cruise we stayed at the Hotel Diana, close to Termini. It was part of the cruise package and was a step or two up from the kind of hotel we usually use, but still was not so posh as to be frightening. Close to transportation, nice staff, great breakfast and close to tons of restaurants.