Two double/twin rooms or one quad? Need 3 beds

When we traveled with our two teenage sons we requested quads with four beds -- all single beds. Since European rooms often charge per person, I don't think your number is realistic for a near central locations. We often paid more than that for two in those areas and we were trying to be careful. However, we were in June and you are in March which might help some.

A quad "should" cost less than two twins.....should being the magical word. Since you are traveling off season, you might be able to get a deal on two rooms. (which would also give you two bathrooms.)

That being said, remember, in general, rooms in European hotels are smaller than what you might find in the U.S. And some hoteliers take rooms normally designed for two beds and will shove two more in to make a quad. (which might me all 4 of you couldnt' stand up in the room at the same time!!!)

The suite at Hotel Cestelli in Florence is incredible. $115 Euro/private bathroom and it's HUGE!!! You'll be comfortable in this room. The hotel is very centrally located, and very lovely.

Check out pictures at http://www.hotelcestelli.it. Check traveler reviews and pictures at tripadvisor.com

But, you better book now. There's only eight rooms and I doubt if the other rooms would be big enough.

Thanks, Linda. I called the hotel and found their quad unavailable and no rooms have 2 twins in them for our sons. The person I talked with suggested the Locanda Orchidea, so I called them. The person I needed to speak with wasn't there, so I'll have to call back this afternoon (evening their time).

Does anyone have experience with the Locanda Orchidea?

Be sure to clarify that you need BEDS - not rollaway cots or sofa beds. Many of the quad rooms feature extra beds brought in to the room when needed and these beds are usually smaller than a standard bed.

Summer 2007 we stayed in quad rooms in Florence and Rome. Both had one double and two twin beds. In Florence we stayed at Hotel la Scaletta. The room itself was quite large and nice, bathroom fine. The hotel staff was very helpful to us-we were a large group overall (11 family members) and they got bag breakfasts ready for us the morning we had early museum reservations. In Rome we stayed at Hotel Grifo. We liked the location, room was fine, but not large. Our room had direct access to a balcony, which was nice.

I had trouble find quad rooms last year and ended up renting apartments. What we spent extra on the apartment, I justified by saving on breakfast and snacks. I was also travelling with 2 teenagers. Check cross-pollinate.com and VRBO.com for apartments. You have to look carefully, some listing count sofabeds. Also, some listers will negotiate if you are staying multiple nights. Good Luck.

If you've got 4 adults then definitely go with an apartment. It will be cheaper, and you will have lots more space. My kids are 16 and 19, and they are just too big to be in the same little hotel room with us now. It was fine when they were 12 and 15. We had a great apartment in Rome that was huge and right in the historical center in Campo dei Fiori. It was about 1/2 price of most quad hotel rooms. We were also able to stock up on soft drinks, wine, cheese from the grocery store down the street. Such grocery items are about the same price as home. However, when you start ordering sodas in Europe be prepared for sticker shock...and NO free refills!

Forgot to include the website of our apartment:

http://www.primitaly.it/appartamenti/casaparadiso/uk.htm

It was on 3 different levels with a bed on each level so there was lots of space for everyone to have their own "personal space". We originally rented it from www.sleepinitaly.com, and they did a good job for us. However, when we arrived at the apartment the owners gave us their business card with the above website. Perhaps if you cut out the middle-man rental agency you might save a few euros.

Thank you very much to all who have replied. We have found an apartment in Rome on vrbo.com for the last 4 nights of our trip, so we're now focusing on Venice (ouch!) and Florence - hopefully booking apartments rather than rooms. Any further advice on these cities would be much appreciated!

I can't imagine that we will ever be in a position to pay for 2 hotel rooms no matter how big our kids get. So we all accept that when traveling we accept trade offs. we generally do not spend any time in our room so we are ok with the basics-- clean, centrally located,private bath and breakfast.. In florence we had a quad room at Hotel Casci. 2 twins and a double. it was great with vy ample breakfast.we def paid more but it was in summer. March may be more favorable.

We have used this agency in Venice with good results.

www.veniceapartments.org

this one also gets good reviews.

www.viewsonvenice.com

Thank you for the additional information. After waaay too much time on the 'net and on the phone with Italy, I booked apartments in Venice, Florence, and Rome.

The place in Venice is by far the most expensive (160E) and the smallest of the bunch, but it's only for 2 nights and it seems like it will work for us.

In Florence, I booked at a country place about 30 minutes outside the city at the recommendation of another RS posting, which will give us both a taste of the countryside and a substantial savings.

The apartment in Rome is likely the plainest of the apartments, but its size and its location near the Vatican will be good for us.

All in all, this forum and its super members have been a huge help to me in planning our trip. THANK YOU!

Now I just need to nail down which places my family wants to see that require reservations...!

Melissa

Melissa, try Corte Campagna B&B in Venice (he's in the RS book). Riccardo also has an apartment available. Riccardo is wonderful, his B&B rooms are large and roomy, even by US standards. I'm taking my adult sons over next year and will be staying with Riccardo again. However, my kids will have their own room, as I do not want to listen to them snore all night!

Thanks for the recommendation, Deborah. I think our Venice apartment will work out okay for us. It's got a separate bedroom for us and twin day beds in the LR, plus there's a kitchen and eating area. At 160E, I think it's a fair deal for Venice. ;)