Rome for Seniors

I haven't stayed here yet, but my RS tour starts at the Hotel Smeraldo and the location looks very much like what you are looking for. I have read several very positive comments on the forum about this hotel.

I have stayed at Hotel Smeraldo. It suited the seniors in our group (who have mobility challenges, too). While there's not an on- site restaurant, a very short walk takes you to Campo di Fiore, and there's a lovely selection of restaurants there.

There is a hotel bar, and even when it didn't appear open, we went to the reception desk to order. The drinks were promptly delivered to the roof top patio.

My senior friends all agree it was the best place we've been in Europe.

Hi Susan -
A couple more details might be helpful? For instance, you might prefer walk-in showers to bathtub/shower combos as they can be slippery/awkward to get in and out of. I'm also guessing that an elevator is a must? Anything else you can think of?

The Hassler is lovely indeed (haven't had the pleasure but read very good things about it) but I'm thinking you might want to locate a bit more centrally than that one; say, around the Pantheon area? I'd personally consider it an easier walk to more attractions than the Hassler. By no means is it difficult to walk from that one but it is further from Piazza Navona, Colosseum, Roman Forum, Campo di Fiori, etc. In the big picture, I don't think you'll be spending more time than a short walk-by of Trevi or the Spanish Steps so I wouldn't prioritize hotel location by those two attractions.

Anyway, I'd look at the Pantheon area, and I'm hoping someone has a great hotel reco for you. Posters who have stayed there REALLY like Albergo Del Senato (good friends of ours have stayed there) and with your budget you could probably swing one of their very best rooms with a balcony and terrific view of Pantheon. Breakfast is included, and they have a rooftop terrace and bar but, sadly, no restaurant although there appears to be many of those very near the hotel, or you can have the concierge order in for you if not wishing to go out. Looks like you can request a room with a shower, and there is an elevator. See a sample penthouse room:
https://albergodelsenatorome.reserve-online.net/property/ALBERGO/PHSUI

The hotel's website:
https://www.albergodelsenato.it/index.php

The Vatican: As that one is going have you both on your feet for a good chunk of a day, I'd have your hotel call you a taxi to get to it. Pretty sure your feet will be DONE by the time you've covered ground there! :O) It's also an attraction, along with the Colosseum/Palatine/Forum, I'd recommend a tour for to make the most of your visit.

Hi Susan --

Have a look at the Hotel Raphael (https://www.raphaelhotel.com) which is just off the Piazza Navona, and the Hotel Locarno, which is near the Piazza del Popolo. (https://www.hotellocarno.com/en) They are two of the nicest boutique hotels in which I have stayed -- in Rome, or elsewhere. Both have great restaurants and hotel bars, as well as rooftop terraces that offer lovely views of the city. You can see a bit of the Locarno in the Rome section of the 2014 film, "The Trip to Italy," with Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon. (I admit to having watched and re-watched this movie several times during these pandemic months when I wanted to dream about future trips.) Happy planning!

We recently stayed at Hotel Smeraldo and would wholeheartedly recommend it. The location is an easy walk to nearly everything you want to see. In addition, there are excellent restaurants within a couple of blocks as well as the best bakery/pizzia place (Roscioli) right across the street as well as a superb gelato shop next to it. Plus there's a rooftop garden and bar at the hotel which is a great place to relax in the afternoon before going out in the evening. And the hotel staff is very helpful and welcoming. You can't go wrong there!!

We haven’t stayed at Hotel Smeraldo, but the positive reviews from the forum & friends has convinced us to book there in the future. I am familiar with the location and know it’s an easy walk to the list you mentioned.

After extensive research and needs similar to yours, I booked Hotel Smeraldo for my 5 nights in Rome in April 2020. Was excited about it. But then, well, you know …

The Hassler Roma is an excellent choice. I've been fortunate to visit many times and meet the president and general manager Roberto E. Wirth, the fifth generation of the famous Swiss hotelier family who became co-owners of the hotel with the Hasslers in the 1920s. He and his team do an excellent job. I love the new Art Deco rooms and Imàgo. their Michelin-star restaurant.

If the Hassler is in your budget, you might consider, Portrait Roma, located below the Spanish Steps. With only 14 suites, it's often sold out. It's operated by the Lungaro Group, the Ferragamo family. As you'd expect, it's quite stylish! It does not have a Michelin restaurant but does have an excellent bar. The rooms - and service - are incredible. Likewise, J.K. Place Roma is also located below the Spanish Steps. A boutique hotel, like Portrait Roma, it's intimate and unique. If you're into art and a more modern feel, you might try The First Roma Arte.

From a VALUE perspective, I'd suggest booking any of these luxury hotels through a Virtuoso TA as you'll get some of these amenities at these hotels at NO additional charge to you:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily full breakfast, for two guests per bedroom
• $100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Suite bookings will also receive complimentary access to our E-Bikes during stay
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• One-way private airport transfer, to Fiumicino airport, Ciampino airport or Termini train Station (Transfers must be booked at least 24 hours in advance with hotel Concierge and are for up to two passengers)

The Virtuoso amenities differ at each hotel but all include the free breakfast, a possible upgrade, and a $100 F&B or Spa credit.

Like Kathy said, a walk-in shower would be preferable to one with a tub, even if it has a shower wand high on the wall. Unfortunately, some of the lovely boutique hotels only have tubs or tub/shower combos.

From the pictures of the 2 very nice ones linked earlier, it's hard to tell what the tub base is like. I've been in many that are so round and narrow at the bottom that I had difficulty standing in them, much less getting into them.

If you search for hotels on Booking.com or similar resources, as well as if you get recommendations, be absolutely sure that you can see how the ensuite baths are designed. Use Booking.com to see reviews. Use it or Tripadvisor to see pictures which may provide more or better views of the rooms. But, booking directly with the hotel may provide the best price.

Whatever you decide, wearing some kind of non-slip shower shoes is probably a good idea for both of you. I learned my lesson about that from a relatively small B&B shower. It was so slippery that I had to spread my feet out to the lip edges of the shower pan to stay steady. It didn’t help that the thing had an oh-so-trendy rain shower head. I hate rain shower heads. If I can see one in the bath pictures, it's an immediate deal-breaker for me.

I was 71 last time I was in Rome. And I was traveling solo. I don’t much like being out after dark either, but it was summer so it got dark later. By October the days will be shorter, so it will get dark earlier for you, even though they'll still be on Daylight Savings Time to the end of the month. The sunrise, sunset and length of day numbers may not matter for you, but below is a link to that data on timeanddate.com for October 2021. Scroll down to October 2021 — Sun in Rome. https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/italy/rome?month=10&year=2021

I'm not much of a foodie and I totally get the preference for having a decent restaurant in the hotel. On that trip, I rented an apartment near the Vatican. A couple of early evenings I simply walked to the restaurant across the street for dinner. Mostly during my stay there I had a good lunch and something light back "home."

Having bad knees, I have one bit of advice about all the walking you want to do. You must have very comfortable, supportive, sturdy and stable shoes for it. Regardless of season or weather, I always wear lace up ankle boots. And I use Sockwell moderate compression socks to enhance circulation and increase stamina.

Expect cobblestones and walking surfaces that aren't exactly flat to say the least. But maybe things are improving in some areas as may be indicated by the link below. Be sure to click on the links in the article to see what most of the walking surfaces will be like. You or he may want to use a cane or hiking poles to help with stability. If the latter, the sharp tips must be covered with rubber feet so that you don’t damage anything important. I find hiking poles more ergonomically correct for me.

Now here's that sidewalk link: https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/rome-rolls-out-cobblestone-stamped-sidewalks.html

Last time I was in Rome I didn't use the metro or trains in the city at all. I used busses and trams. The drivers are more likely to be patient as you get on and off and there are special places for seniors to sit. Sitting is preferable to standing for obvious reasons, but not so obvious is the fact that you can only see the stops from a sitting position. The roofs of the busses or trams may be too low and the names of the stops may be too high to be seen if you are standing.

Rome is a city that fascinates me year after year. I was first there when I was 14. My mom and I climbed to the top of St. Peter's - my mom who had polio as a teenager. Nothing was going to stop us. As a young adult, interested more in the middle ages, I was blown away by the pre-Christian and 20th century Rome. For 18 of the past 20 years (thank you Covid, you *&&)&), I spent about 2 weeks based near the Piazza Navona. I prefer apartments to hotels in Rome. I'm in my 70s, not really in the best of shape, but Rome again and still gives me more than I could hope for.

I've said many times on this forum: if you get tired of one century all you have to do is turn the corner. I'm thinking of editing that to: if you get tired, turn the corner and there will be a beautiful little piazza or cafe to sit and just "be" in Rome. At our age do we need to be constantly on the go? Or can we focus more on appreciating where we are, what we see, what it means, the memories it brings back with a smile? I'll sit on a bench, chair or step at the Pantheon, St. Peter's, Piazza Navona, Campo di Fiore, along the Foro, near the Colosseum, multiple places in Trastevere. My body may say I'm tired but my mind and soul are being nurtured by the quality experiences my life has given me.

So, I look for apartments that have elevators, are close to places I cherish, give me access to taxi or bus, offer a variety of possibilities for food, and (most important) have gelato close by. My age, my health concerns, are not yet going to take Rome away from me. Susan, you and your husband will find me sitting by the Bernini fountain at the Piazza Navona every evening with a gelato in hand. Join me. Remember: you deserve this!

I’m afraid I can’t help you with a hotel recommendation, but as for stability in the tub or shower, my 90 year-old husband (I for that matter) find that just laying a towel (preferably a hand towel, but anything works) on the floor and getting it wet will give you a very sturdy, non-slip base for the shower.

What an eloquent statement, Robert.

Here’s to your next sojourn in Rome, and to Susan and her husband’s. May you all stay healthy and enjoy your travels in the New Year!

Hotel Alberto del Senato is well located. If your destination is far, jump in a taxi!
We enjoyed our stay at Palazzo al Navona too. Modern interior within antique palazzo. Very nice rooms, requested a stall shower.
We stayed in an apartment near the Pantheon a few years ago and walked everywhere we wanted to go.
We stayed near the Spanish Steps at the Inn at the Spanish Steps once and it was not a good experience at all. Horrible experience.
Hotel Hassler is at the top of Spanish Steps so may be quite different. We ate there one night in their top floor dining room, Imago, very elegant.

I know so many original posters write a question and then ghost the forum. I’ve read every reply and wrote down the suggestions. I didn’t think of the bathtub situation - huge issue.

I will look up all the hotels given to me here. Plus I will also consider a flat as well although offhand I believe I prefer the luxury and service of a nice hotel.

We traveled to Paris in November and based at the Hyatt Hotel du Louvre which was perfect for us - beautifully renovated and twenty feet from the Louvre and Tuileries gardens with a Michelin brasserie. Perfect trip for Seniors.

I’ll use your comments to help me construct a similar trip to Rome! Thanks for all the help.

You can't walk to all the worthwhile sites in Rome at any age. Be comfortable using taxis. Despite the bad experiences some people have, Rome's cabbies are more professional than a lot of places. Here's an intro: https://www.wanderingitaly.com/a/rome-taxis.html

You can't walk to all the worthwhile sites in Rome at any age.

LOL. Actually, we have done just that with one exception: Cimitero dei Protestanti after the Borghese. And we wouldn't have taken the metro there if I hadn't blown out a stupid shoe and gotten a blister earlier in the day. Stupid shoe. 😠

Living in Rome, I guess we were the opposite, using public transportation to get around everywhere. We had a mensile (monthly) transport pass and simply jumped on and off the buses, trams, and metro, patching together our rides. As we were regulars, we knew many of the routes - especially those that would get us home!

I was last in Rome a couple of months ago and tried out two transport APPS --- Probus Rome and Roma Bus ---- and they would probably be quite helpful for those unfamiliar with the local bus routes. ATAC also has an APP, but I did not download it... so plenty of options now to assist you in using the Roman public transport system!

Another “we walked everywhere “
Have never used any public transportation in Rome
Took a cab twice- once to Borghese because it was pouring rain, once to Vatican for our early entry tour

Walked back to hotel from both
We stay near Pantheon

RnR, we used to be like that in younger days. Its fun to explore and find secret spots for food or to take a wonderful photo. However, tell me you hop on and off buses when you are 82 with double vision and glaucoma. If we live long enough, we live with some degree of compromised body. Instead of staying home, I have shifted our manner of travel. I plan so my husband doesnt realize anything is all that different. Life is about how you deal with change as you grow old together.

My husband cant differentiate the depth of the 3 or 4 bus steps or the steps going into a pool, the few stairs leaving the lobby or entering a building... a curb is a problem unless I point it out. The huge staircases in the Paris Opera Garnier were daunting, but he held on to the rail and slowly made his way to the top... we took the elevator down. I knew he would struggle to keep up with a tour, so we instead went inside by ourselves so we could feel comfortable at our own speed. It was a brilliant day. He isnt OLD or feeble or weak... he is strong and sharp, but his eyesight is failing.

There are so many adventurous posts in these forums but VERY few addressing Seniors or people with physical issues. Thats why I was specific as to our needs for a location and hotel.

Thanks all!

Susan

Susan, the bathub/shower combos are VERY common so yes, do inquire before booking, and make SURE they understand that a walk-in is a necessity. Shoot, I can manage the combo but I don't care for them.

Tours: I'll throw this out for consideration? Rome is a very old city (you knew that) and walking surfaces can vary from smooth concrete to very bumpy cobbles and broken pavement. Former sightseeing requests for travelers with mobility issues have turned up recommendations for golf cart tours that would work well for eyesight challenges as well. They don't escort you INSIDE any of the attractions but scoot you around to any number of them that can be admired from the outside. They are also generally quiet, easy to see out of, and can make extra stops upon request. These two companies have been recommended multiple times in the past:

https://mybesttour.com/tour/golf-cart-tours-rome/

https://scooteroma.com/tours/ape-calessino-tour/

My mother had macular degeneration so I understand the need to move cautiously and at one's own speed.

Hotel versus flat? While apartments work well for many, nice hotels certainly have their benefits, especially for first-time travelers and Those Of A Certain Age. Having desk staff at hand 24/7 who can speak the local language is comforting, should one experience some sort of health or other crisis. They will also nearly always store your luggage for you until check in, should you arrive early in the day, and again after check-put if you have significant time before having to be at the airport or train station. Call a taxi? Sure thing, as well as providing maps and other suggestions for getting around. Those with concierge services may be able to arrange tickets for certain attractions as well. In your situation, at your husband's life stage and with your budget, I think a nice hotel is a good decision.

My husband (75) and I (72) just spent six nights at the Pantheon Iconic Hotel. It is part of the Autograph Collection of the Marriott chain. It is about a block and a half from the Pantheon and has two on-site restaurants. The shower we had was a huge walk-in with only about a one to two inch step up to enter the shower. They had a very good non-slip surface for the shower. There is also a separate bathtub, but I suspect it would be hard to get in and out of it (we never used it).

The area is very walkable with lots of restaurants. We walked to The Borghese Gallery, the Vatican, the Colosseum, and the National Museum of Rome. Of course, the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain are very close, as well as the Spanish Steps. We can’t think of a more centrally located hotel we like better.

We were last there in July 2012 with my at the time 83 years old mother. It was miserably hot. We stayed at Hotel Smeraldo as others have. We walked most everywhere. When we got to a place and my mother felt she couldn’t walk back to the hotel, we just took a taxi. On most days, we went back to the hotel for lunch at her favorite restaurant at Campo de’ Fiore, then she took an afternoon nap. On a number of occasions we stepped into Grand Hotel de la Minerve by the Pantheon so she could get out of the heat, use the restroom, and get off her feet. I’m sure the employees thought we were staying there.

I see where Pantheon is better location than Spanish Steps. I think Marriott Autograph Collection Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel might be a better choice than Hassler. I also like Smereldo other than that its not part of a collection of a large chain, which usually enforces standards.

While I enjoy fine dining, most evenings in Paris, we ate simple French fare at small brasseries in the five blocks around our hotel, so the area around Pantheon and Piazza Navona is good for us.

hey hey susanmaria123
check out gpsmycity.com/ rome
many different walking tours you can check out and see if interested.
marketsofrome.com
check out the different mercati around rome and what interests you.
withlocals.com/rome
look at what things/areas they go to and check them out
a day in calcata: picturesque bohemian town
off the beaten path to a funky artsy community in the caves above rome.
beautiful countryside day trip: castelli romani
the pope's summer palace and gardens, frascati countryside known for growing wine, lakes and small villages. stop at ceralli.it (family owned bakery with pizza oven.) if you can find a way enjoy it
lacucinaitaliana.com/the buxom cookie from frascati
italymagazine.com/lake nemi and it's wild berry
eatwith.com/rome
lunch/dinner/food tours and tastes/cooking class in local residents home
it's a short visit with so many things to do. enjoy yourselves
aloha

I can highly recommend Scooteroma. In 2017 I had a private Street Art tour on the back of a vintage Vespa driven by the tour guide. He picked me up in front of my apartment. He was very knowledgeable about the art and showed me many other historical aspects of the city along the way.

The Ape Calessino tour may be different, but you would have the option of both of you riding together and you could have the length of the tour as well as what you see and do tailored to your interests. Based on my 2-wheeled experience, I think the Ape could go pretty much anywhere, plus your driver would also be your tour guide.

The Pantheon Iconic Hotel looks lovely, and the location is great. Walk-in showers are a plus (and a must for seniors like us, in the opinion of my husband, a retired physician).

For your local dinners around Piazza Navona, I will warn you away from one place nearby, in spite of the attractive outdoor seating. Now named La Locanda Romana, at Via di S. Agnes’s in Agone 21, it was named La Fraschetta when we impulsively stopped there for lunch on our way to the Pantheon, back in 2015. (I normally research ahead a bit, but did not this day as we had not planned on a “sit-down” lunch).

I will describe the details below, but in short, we were cheated by the waiter. When we returned to our apartment at the end of the day I checked reviews on TripAdvisor, and learned that this and other means of overcharging were common at this restaurant. Since part of the waiter’s cheat technique was his refusal to provide a written receipt, I complained to the Finance Police (Guardia di Finanza), attaching a link to the TripAdvisor reviews. About a month later they contacted me by email and asked for further details and an attestation, which we provided in English and Italian. Several months later I saw that La Fraschetta was closed, and the review page on TripAdvisor.com was shut down.

Then they re-opened at the same location as La Locanda Romana, and from the early reviews it appeared they were still up to their old tricks. But those reviews (from 2017-2018) are no longer available—-just reviews from 2019 and later—-which are pretty mixed, but do not mention outright overcharging.

What happened to us: I went to the restroom while my husband asked for the bill. When I came back, he was waiting for the change. We waited and waited, and I asked him what the bill was: 35 euros was the answer. No written receipt (unfortunately my husband was not aware of the requirement that one be provided, and he did not demand one—-too trusting). I knew that was too much—-the items we ordered came to 26 euros total, and there was no service charge listed on the menu.

So when the waiter brought back 15 euros change for the 50 my husband gave him, I asked about the extra 9 euros. “Tax” he said. No, said I, tax is included, not added. So he switched to Italian and said “Coperto e servizio”. No, again—-coperto is illegal in Lazio, and servizio has to be written on the menu. I asked him to show me where on the menu it said that. At that point, he shrugged and said (back to English), “call it my salary”. Well, that is one way to look at it, I suppose. At this point we just walked away—-and filed the complaint.

The old TripAdvisor reviews (from 2015) are gone, but I found these on Yelp from that year, shortly before they closed. Note that the first one is reviewing a different restaurant (SPQR), not La Fraschetta.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-fraschetta-roma-7

And note that one describes the exact same thing that happened with us, except the waiter used the word wages instead of salary.

We stayed at Hotel Albergo del Senato and absolutely loved it, but I’m sure RnR’s recs are even better. Albergo del Senato is right in front of, and to the side of, the Pantheon. Our room had two very large windows looking out onto the Pantheon (and the plaza in front) which was stunning at night. It’s the kind of view that says “I am in ROME.” When we stayed there they had a bar and a nice rooftop terrace. There are many restaurants right outside the hotel door, on the plaza in front of the Pantheon. And others a block away. The Trevi Fountain is very close by and stunning at night.

On a previous trip we stayed at Hotel Smeraldo, didn’t like it, and why we didn’t stay there again. No view, small room, cramped, one small window and dark, no natural light, tiny bathroom. It’s what I consider a budget hotel. The shower was so tiny, if you dropped a bar of soap you could not pick it up. Everyone’s taste is different, but imo, Smeraldo does not fit the description of what I think you’re looking for.

And 61 is not old, not what I consider “Senior”, lol.

I believe she is thinking of her husband, who is 82.

I'd agree that for ease of access the Marriott Autograph Collection Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel is easier to walk to than The Hassler... but it's not a luxury hotel at the level of either Portrait Roma, J.K. Place Roma, or The First Roma Arte - all of which are BELOW the Spanish Steps (and thus you do not face that climb every time you return to The Hasssler - or the Rocco Forte De La Ville, which is next door to the Hassler). Other not as centrally located luxury hotels include The Dorchester Hotel Eden (above the Hassler), The Rocco Forte Hotel de Russie (Piazza Popolo), St. Regis Rome (near Piazza Republica), Baglioni Hotel Regina (Via Veneto), or Palazzo Manfredi (Colosseo). Albergo Senato has an incredible location yet it is a 3-star hotel (and described as such on their website).

Our favorite restaurants near the Spanish Steps include Casina Valadier, Imàgo (The Hassler), Sofia Ristorante, Il Gabriello, La Terrazza (Hotel Eden), and Nino. Near the Pantheon we like Armando al Pantheon, La Tavernetta 48, Da Gino Al Parlamento, and Pietro Al Pantheon, For Coffee, at the Pantheon, you're quite close to Sant’Eustachio Il Caffé and Tazza D'Oro - two very famous cafes. And NUMEROUS gelato options!

Lola, I agree with you, but the OP wrote “now that my husband and I are Seniors…”

Well, Susan, looks like you're spoiled for choice! Do let us know what you end up booking?

Oh, and you do understand what we mean when we talk about Italian hotel star ratings? They aren't based on QUALITY of comfort, cleanliness, noise levels, etc, but rather the amount of amenities they provide, like air conditioning, restaurants, pools, room services, etc. Doesn't mean the AC works well, the restaurant is good, the room services prompt, the room quiet, the bed comfy, and so on and so forth. Thus it is possible to find, say, 4-star hotels that aren't much to write home about, and three-star hotels that can be excellent places in which to hang a hat.

And yes, for luxury accommodations/recommendations, RnR has a VERY solid finger on those so any on his list are sure to be winners! With your needs, I just had a personal "center" preference for a location closer to the Pantheon than the Spanish Steps; we're all different! I would also agree that if the Hassler is the level of services/amenities you're looking for - and you have the budget for similar - that Hotel Smeraldo isn't the right choice for you. Albergo del Senato - and I'd book one of their their best rooms if you did choose it - might not be either but oof, that VIEW... Pantheon Iconic Hotel looks lovely so might be your winner?