Rome - stuck where to stay

[bluesky]

Any experience of Rome? Trying to find a hotel for March, lots booked, they don't seem to believe in interconnecting rooms. One has come up The Villa Patrizi, family room, but seems just a bit far out for little legs.

They don't seem to do Citadines there.

Help! Anyone? Am really keen to go.

Found a family room in a central location called Hotel White with BA holidays. And spookily when I booked it the girl had just been to Rome for the weekend, for her first wedding anniversary, and even more spookily had stayed in Hotel White, so we had a good chat!

Will report back.

We stayed after a week in Sorrento/Pompeii for a couple of days and did an airport hotel which had a free shuttle service. Not very much fun if you're going to Rome only though. Must add - we loved Rome. Children thought it was amazing.

Jolly hotels are a chain over there. They might have something suitable.

Never been myself though.

Swedishmum - that's great to hear. We were thinking about Rome this year, but I've just heard loads of really negative reports from everyone who's been lately, so we've decided against it for now.

What did you see? Where did you go? Do you speak Italian?

roisin, what did you hear that was negative?!

Oops! Missed this!
I'd just heard from several different people that the Romans were very unfriendly, that it was hard to get around, that it's very difficult if you don't speak Italian, that it's very expensive ...

no, Rome is fabulous! I can't remember where we stayed though sorry. I went 2 years ago and loved it. Its very pretty and the pantheon and the colloseum (sp?) are amazing. great food, I have vivid memories of sitting outside the pantheon of an evening at a restaurant. the whole thing was lit up, very romantic. I kept thinking I was going to see audrey hepburn coming round on a scooter like roman holiday! If you are going with kids there were loads of people wandering round in the evening with their children out late. If you don't fancy Rome though, Venice and florence are also must see destinations and I can recommend hotels there.

thanks bosscat, would love to go to Venice one day, just can't decide whether to go with or without kids!

thanks celia2, what were your childrens highlights, what do they remember from Rome?

We weren't there long but had a busy time. Highlight (for ds especially) was the Colosseum. We also saw the Vatican (beware, Sistene Chapel has strange opening times), forum, Spanish steps, Trevi Fountain. We got round easily by tube and found maps and people very friendly. I thought it was spectacular. So was Pompeii by the way.

2 comments I overheard - one from a bored looking American woman in the Colosseum - "Can't wait to get out of this place and get a decent cup of coffee at McDonalds" (best coffee in Italy?? Don't think so.)
Second was on the bus ride back to the hotel - a woman said sh'e only been there half a day but thought you'd really need a whole day to do Rome properly!

Overheard in Baptistery in Florence (2 American students):

Student A: What's this place?
Student B: I dunno. Something old, I guess.

Don't know Rome well at all, but can't believe that it's difficult if you don't speak Italian. It'll be all geared up for tourists and people in all the main places will speak English (if not well, at least adequately). I do speak Italian and have the opposite problem if I go to Florence or Venice - people take one look at me (very blonde!) and insist on speaking English, even if my Italian is much better than their English!

Hope you manage to find a hotel.

We stayed here in early Dec with ds aged 3,(www.navonasuitesrome.com)and it was great. It is basically 2 double rooms which share a front door and kitchen (breakfast provided). We booked the larger of the 2 rooms and they provided a small bed for ds. There was a couple in the other room but we only saw them once, ideal set up travelling with a child or children (can book both rooms). Owner very helpful, for further details look it up on www.tripadvisor.com. This was my first visit to Rome and I am so glad we wnt out of season (still very busy), best place was The Forum (did not get to the Palatine due to thunderstorm). Not exactly a restful place to go but still worth it!

thanks again, interesting things mentioned. Celia2, did you get your guide before you arrived at the Collesseum, or did you find one when you were there? Your own family guide or with a group? Did they make it interesting for the children? Mine are of a similar age.

celia2, that's really helpful, many thanks, am going to check on that link now.