Buonasera!

Hi there, we are 4 spanning 3 generations and need some help finding a place to stay in Rome from Aug 5 to Aug 8 (3 nights). Hopefully it is not too late for booking stuff. In any case, we would like to be able to walk to some interesting places and good food. I personally wouldn't mind some nightlife, but my nephew, six, and his grandmother, 76, take precedence and I can always walk or take a cab.

We were hoping for a balcony or small terrace too.

The question then is suggestions for the best neighborhood to stay, or even specific lodgings....hotel, B&B, apartment, etc would be fantastic.

I've heard Trastevere is quaint with great cafes, bars, etc, but may be a bit of a hike for my Mom when going to see some of the sights.

Any help with the above would be great!

Thanks - and happy summer 2006!

The Santa Chiara and the Del Senato are both 2 very nice hotels that are literally at ground zero when it comes to tourism in Rome. Located within 1/2 block of the pantheon they are exactly what you are looking for. The Santa Chiara has in the past had issues with airconditioning so question them carefully about whether or not you can control the AC from your room. This is important in August.

If mom has mobility issues or even if she doesn't being 76 and August heat in Rome can be crippling. Think about renting a little mobility scooter here in the US and flying it to Italy with you. We rented me an Amigo for $65 a week when we went 2 summers ago. It worked out beautifully.

And finally, check out my accessible Rome link next to my signature.

Excellent recommendations by Rome Addict. Although I have stayed at neither, I did tour both facilities last September. The Del Senato was my favorite of the two, and they have a nice restaurant/bar on a terrace.

Another choice, just across from the Del Senato & Pantheon is the Abruzzi. It's a tad less expensive.

If you get lodging close to the main route in Trastevere (Via Trastevere? I don't remember), there is a tram rout that goes to largo Argentina which is a hub for all kinds of tram and bus transportation. You can take a bus form largo Argentian and go to Termini which is a hub for train, bus and Metro transportaion.

quote:

I've heard Trastevere is quaint with great cafes, bars, etc, but may be a bit of a hike for my Mom when going to see some of the sights.

Yes, it's too far to walk, actually too far to walk to pretty much all the sights. At least in this sense: it's too far for many people, physically. And, even for the fit, it's a bit time consuming to have to do every day.

There's a "golden triangle" in the center city inside which you want to lodge if you'll want to be mainly walking. The bottom runs from Campo de Fiori east to the little neighborhood of parallel streets east of the Coliseum. The east (right) side of the triangle then runs up to the Spanish Steps. The west (left) side then runs back down to the start, at Campo Fiori. More or less! Anywhere inside or just a few blocks outside of that is pretty easy walking to all the "biggies," and three metro stations are either within or just outside it take you to the Vatican.

The Hotel Del Corso, not far from the Spanish Steps, is a very nice place, with lift for easy access to higher floors.

I'm just back (and not happy about it) and am so glad I stayed
just off the Campo dei Fiori. I fell in love with that area and
could have skipped most major sites. I stayed at Albergo della
Lunetta but I don't recall an elevator, if stairs are a problem.
But they do have a pretty roof-top deck for those days you just
want to find food and relax up there. Not fancy digs but I saw
only my room.

I loved the proximity to P.Navona and the piazza where the Pantheon
was, name escaping me.

But most of all, I loved having the fruit and vegetable market
in the Campo every morning but Sunday I think (or maybe Saturday).
I would by pears and strawberries and rinse them in the fountain.
Then stroll and eat them! Ahhh.