Oh, I am so torn - can't decide what to do!

[ekerr19]

I have been debating this for weeks and I am still torn... I just can't decide what to do and time is running out. :confused:

We are holding a reservation for the Inn at the Spanish Steps in Rome (an Epoque Hotel - same as the ES Hotel), but the cost is prohibitive. It is about $400 - $500 EU for one night, but the hotel looks fantastic and I'd love to stay there.

We are booked at the "sister" - As Janelas Verdes Inn - in Lisbon for far less.

I just got an e-mail from the hotel, they can arrange a tour and deliver us to the ship in Civitavecchia by limo for about $200 EU for our party of four - a bit more than I anticipated paying.

My DH says "go for it" but I am leery - I did something similar in Copenhagen several years ago - stayed at the Nyhavn Hotel for $400 per night and we hated it... I don't want to make the same mistake, so I am still waffling.

Any suggestions?

[Sue's Mom]

I'm afraid I can't say whether you should stay there or not as I have never been. All I can say is that EU500 sounds like an awful lot money to me. I suppose it depends on where one's priorities lie. Personally, I would prefer a lesser (but nice) hotel and be able to do more.

[jhannah]

Personally, I can't see spending $500-618 US per night to stay anywhere. No matter how nice it is. However, if it's your dream to do so, then go for it. As Mark Twain is quoted, "Twenty years from now you'll be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the things you did do."

[Sue's Mom]

What date are you there?

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-333932-inn_at_the_spanish_steps-i

http://www.freehotelsearch.com/international/Italy-hotels/Rome-hotels/Inn_At_The_Spanish_Steps-hotel.html

http://rome-hotels.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187791-d229087-Reviews-Inn_At_The_Spanish_Steps-Rome_Lazio.html

[jazzsea]

Hotel De La Ville is an Intercontinental Hotel located at the top of the Spanish Steps. rome@interconti.com Lovely hotel in a perfect location.

When we only have one night, we stay at the Hilton at the airport. We literally walk to the hotel as it is part of the airport complex. We drop our bags and take off. The first time that we stayed there we asked the hotel to set up a tour for us. Since then we just take a taxi into Rome and WALK. The hotel arranged the transportation for us to the ship. About $65.

In Lisbon we stay at the Hotel Avenida Palace. We love it and the location is terrific.

[Jacqueline]

at that rate, i think it may be easy to be disspointed. But really what you feel comfortable paying is so personal, If its tht important to you it may be a good value,
Have you checked out other well regarded properies for comparison sake? I love Ritz carltons or Peninsula properies if I am looking at a chain and want some assurance of good value.

[jan7487]

I can't resist answering this, though I'm certain there are as many opinions on Rome's hotels as there are individuals on this board.

We (3 of us) were in Rome post cruise last October for 4 nights. Like you, we agonized over where to stay---looked at so many web sites, read guide books and discussed pros and cons endlessly. Finally took the advice of friends who travel to Rome on a yearly basis, and they always stay at the Dei Borgognoni.

What a wonderful choice this turned out to be ---it is charming, welcoming, immaculate and very, very much "Italian". A mixed clientel, but you will not feel like a tourist surrounded by all Americans. We loved the atmosphere and the rooms (and bathrooms) were perfect.

Added to the above we could walk to Trevi, Spanish Steps , the Pantheon and all along the way wonderful streets yeilding interest. The hotel itself is on a narrow, interesting,"quiet" (for Rome) street.

We also had considered Inn at Spanish Steps, so had a look while there. The area (at the top of the steps and all' round) is crowded day and night. I know some would regard this as a plus, but for us, we were so happy to return to the serenity of Borgognoni at the end of a busy day.

Might add that we used BOB'S for all transfers and were very pleased with his service.

Dei Borgognoni has a good web-site, so have a look if this is at all what you are looking for. Think it ran between 250 and 300E, but my rather mature memory can't be completely relied upon.

Janet

[jonikal]

If you're going to be spending that kind of money, I'd opt to stay at the Hassler.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Hey, it's your money and you can do what you want with it. But you asked:D !

It's one night!!! One in your whole life! ... much of which you will be asleep. I could never rationalize spending that much money on a place to sleep.

In the end it's what's important to you. I don't believe in spending large sums of money on small moments in time, but that's me;) and this is about you. Go with your gut ... go with what feels right for you.

[peaches from georgia]

We are holding a reservation for the Inn at the Spanish Steps in Rome ...... the hotel looks fantastic and I'd love to stay there.

Have you ever been at the Spanish Steps? Have you ever been at the Trevi Fountain? (If not, rent the oldieThree Coins in the Fountain.) This Inn looks fabulous- I just checked it out, and what a location! We've been at both the SS and TF and I would stay at that Inn in a heartbeat. It's at the center of where you want to be in Rome and the Inn appears to be one of a kind.

You only live once and Rome should be enjoyed to its fullest. Go for it! ;)

[elmorejj]

You can rest assured that wherever you choose, whether 1 star or 5 star, its going to be expensive anywhere in Europe. That said, go for what you are comfortable with and what your wallet can stand. On our trips in Italy, we have stayed a couple of times at the Jolly chain. They have been good without being opulant. Its all about what you think is right for you. At least, in Europe you usually get b`fast included....jean :cool:

[ekerr19]

What date are you there?

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-333932-inn_at_the_spanish_steps-i

http://www.freehotelsearch.com/international/Italy-hotels/Rome-hotels/Inn_At_The_Spanish_Steps-hotel.html

http://rome-hotels.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187791-d229087-Reviews-Inn_At_The_Spanish_Steps-Rome_Lazio.html
We are there from 11/2/04 - 11/3/04, then we head to the ship. Because of our limited time, we wanted to make the most of our experience... Thank you for posting these links. I just checked the travel.yahoo link - the price is comparable to what the hotel quoted us directly.

The thing I just found on yahoo are the hotel reviews, I'm so glad I looked. We are traveling with my MIL and her husband, one of the reviewers mentioned having to climb all the stairs - so this may not work because of my MIL's DH, but I'm glad we found out now instead of later. :)

[ekerr19]

Have you ever been at the Spanish Steps? Have you ever been at the Trevi Fountain? (If not, rent the oldieThree Coins in the Fountain.) This Inn looks fabulous- I just checked it out, and what a location! We've been at both the SS and TF and I would stay at that Inn in a heartbeat. It's at the center of where you want to be in Rome and the Inn appears to be one of a kind.

You only live once and Rome should be enjoyed to its fullest. Go for it! ;)
Peaches-

We've never been! We are so excited and want to make the most of it - the Inn looks so lovely, I thought it perfect. We'd like a more unique experience, that's why we are considering it. The location is key for us too. :)

[ekerr19]

I can't resist answering this, though I'm certain there are as many opinions on Rome's hotels as there are individuals on this board.

We (3 of us) were in Rome post cruise last October for 4 nights. Like you, we agonized over where to stay---looked at so many web sites, read guide books and discussed pros and cons endlessly. Finally took the advice of friends who travel to Rome on a yearly basis, and they always stay at the Dei Borgognoni.

What a wonderful choice this turned out to be ---it is charming, welcoming, immaculate and very, very much "Italian". A mixed clientel, but you will not feel like a tourist surrounded by all Americans. We loved the atmosphere and the rooms (and bathrooms) were perfect.

Added to the above we could walk to Trevi, Spanish Steps , the Pantheon and all along the way wonderful streets yeilding interest. The hotel itself is on a narrow, interesting,"quiet" (for Rome) street.

We also had considered Inn at Spanish Steps, so had a look while there. The area (at the top of the steps and all' round) is crowded day and night. I know some would regard this as a plus, but for us, we were so happy to return to the serenity of Borgognoni at the end of a busy day.

Might add that we used BOB'S for all transfers and were very pleased with his service.

Dei Borgognoni has a good web-site, so have a look if this is at all what you are looking for. Think it ran between 250 and 300E, but my rather mature memory can't be completely relied upon.

Janet
Janet-

Thank you, I will check it out. :)

[ekerr19]

Thank you everyone. I'm glad I posted my question, I didn't think it fit the HAL forum, so I was reluctant. I knew so many of you have traveled extensively in Europe and would be able to provide helpful advice. :)

I have just wrestled with spending that much money on one hotel night and didn't know where else to turn.

Thanks again to all, it is MOST appreciated. :)

[dakrewser]

Peaches-

We've never been! We are so excited and want to make the most of it - the Inn looks so lovely, I thought it perfect. We'd like a more unique experience, that's why we are considering it. The location is key for us too. :)
We found the Spanish Steps themselves to be disappointing (but my wife was sighing about the carabinieri on the white horse who was on guard!). Even the Trevi fountain wasn't as impressive in person. Both are really crowded in by surrounding buildings with little room to back off and get a good picture. The feeling was a lot like the first time I saw the Alamo... :)

The Inn at Spanish Steps, although it appears to be getting very good reviews from the folks at TripAdvisor (click here (http://shorterlink.com/?QQ2CC8)), which I always check before booking a hotel - and they've been spot on for me in Australia, New Zealand, the UK as well as all over the US - is only rated as #116 in Rome. You might want to investigate some of the others.

For some reading this and aghast at $500/night in Rome, note that hotels in Europe are high priced and in major cities they make our NY and SF 5* hotels look dirt cheap.

[dakrewser]

Forgot to post a link to our pix of the Steps and the Fountain (here (http://vquill.com/gallery/rome_hotel.html))


But we did find the Forum (and the Colosseum) much more interesting! :cool:

[ekerr19]

Dave-

Thanks so much for the photos and the link to TripAdvisor. I am now having doubts about booking the Inn at the Spanish Steps based on several of the reviews we read - not only on TripAdvisor but Yahoo travel.

I don't mind paying more for the hotel, it has been our experience that hotels in Europe are a bit more pricey - I just want something that will be a good fit.

I still have not narrowed it down any further. :confused:

I was thinking perhaps the Excelsior, which is rated very high on TripAdvisor, also the Bernini Bristol - also rated high and recommended by several CC members.

I hesitate to wait any longer - it seems as if the prices in Rome just keep going up... :(

[Sue's Mom]

Good luck with your decision. Please do let us know what you choose. It is so very difficult when having no experience whatsoever of a place.

PS. Is this web-site any good?

http://www.slh.com/italy/rome/restaurants_rominn.html

[ekerr19]

Good luck with your decision. Please do let us know what you choose. It is so very difficult when having no experience whatsoever of a place.

PS. Is this web-site any good?

http://www.slh.com/italy/rome/restaurants_rominn.htmlSue's Mom-

That web-site is excellent! By far, the best rate for the Inn at the Spanish Steps - their price is less than 1/2 of that on any other site I've checked.

Thank you so much! I will let you know what we end up with.

[ekerr19]

Finally took the advice of friends who travel to Rome on a yearly basis, and they always stay at the Dei Borgognoni.

What a wonderful choice this turned out to be ---it is charming, welcoming, immaculate and very, very much "Italian". A mixed clientel, but you will not feel like a tourist surrounded by all Americans. We loved the atmosphere and the rooms (and bathrooms) were perfect.

Added to the above we could walk to Trevi, Spanish Steps , the Pantheon and all along the way wonderful streets yeilding interest. The hotel itself is on a narrow, interesting,"quiet" (for Rome) street.

Dei Borgognoni has a good web-site, so have a look if this is at all what you are looking for. Think it ran between 250 and 300E, but my rather mature memory can't be completely relied upon.

Janet
Janet-

I had the opportunity to check out his web-site and the hotel looks lovely. I have added it to my final choices, which are now at four. Thank you so much for taking the time to help. :)

I have emailed Bob's, but haven't heard back yet... :(