There are many factors you must decide before placing your reservation. I know you've heard all the typical questions and usual answers. Here are a few typical issues.

[luxury hotel or money to shop?]

Like every other city in Europe, Rome has a variety of hostels, pensiones and hotels to suit every budget. If you like to be pampered or treated like royalty, READ NO FURTHER! I see no reason to spend the extra money unless you plan to sit in your room all day. One of your most vivid memories of Rome will be your stay in a small Italian hotel where the service is still personal and the atmosphere still Italian. Most Italian hotels offer a comfortable well decorated room filled with atmosphere and charm, but don't expect the Intercontinental Hotel, heck don't even expect the Holiday Inn. What you will enjoy is a quaint establishment where the innkeeper still takes pride in the business and really cares about your comfort.

[city center or outskirts?]

Rome is a walkers city. Normally, I would recommend hotels in a good secondary part of a city, but in Rome the best place to stay is in the center of the action. Rome is a fast moving city and the feeling of stepping out of your hotels door into one of the liveliest cities in Europe is part of the experience. Public transportation in Rome is not always the most convenient method of travel and staying in the center allows you to be within walking distance to most of the famous sights.

 

[best neighborhoods]

Piazza Navona/Pantheon - This is the center of Rome. If you enjoy walking, it's centrally located to all the popular sights, shopping and restaurants. This part of the city is called ÒOld RomeÓ where the buildings are aged with the patina of time and the narrow streets open up onto scenic piazzas and ancient monuments. ItÕs more personal here, more Roman. This is a walkers district where you will find yourself strolling every night after dinner in search of the perfect gelato, espresso or mini watercolor painted by an Italian street artist. At times it seems like everyone in all of Rome is wandering here.

 

Spanish Steps - The area around the Spanish Steps is also part of Old Rome. Although the buildings look the same as in the Piazza Navona neighborhood, the atmosphere has changed. Its more upscale, more elegant. This is a shoppers district lined with the world finest shops; Gucci, Fendi, Prada. The restaurants are fancy and more expensive, too. This area bustles with tourists from all around the world armed with money in wallet and camera in hand. Yes, there are a few moderate hotels near here, but most are pricey and expensive.

 

Trevi Fountain - The neighborhood around the Trevi Fountain is still part of old Rome but seems to combine the qualities of the other neighborhoods. Since this is a popular area, the hotels around the Trevi Fountain can be a bit expensive, and sometimes a bit noisy from the hoards of tourists that wander this neighborhood all day long and into the night. You can book a room which overlooks this beautiful landmark, but expect to hear the splashing of the waters and gasps of the tourists all day and all night. The best choice in this neighborhood would be a hotel on a quiet street with double pained windows.

 

[other neighborhoods]

Piazza del Popolo (North Side of the Spanish Steps)

Vatican (West of Old Rome and Piazza Navona)

Coliseum (South of Old Rome and Piazza Navona)

[elevators or stairs?]

In this ancient city, luxuries like air conditioning, elevators and good plumbing must not be taken for granted. What you can count on is a decent continental breakfast which is almost always included in your rate. In most cases, this consists of rolls, croissants, yogurt, cereal and a good cup of 'caffe'. It's enough to hold you over until lunch. What you can't count on is elevators, good air conditioning and modern plumbing. The best way to judge these 'luxuries' is to ask around, read the reviews and surf the Internet to find the information to make your visit comfortable.

 

SINCE JANUARY 2001