Naples: Our flight arrives in at 2145, after 2 connections from LAX. I want a decent, clean, large rooms (possibly a suite for us in case of one partner's jetlag!), Internet, 24 hr Room service if possible (for previously mentioned situation). Either close to airport or in decent area down by port where we could walk around if still wide awake. However, since there is a chance of us misconnecting & getting stuck somewhere enroute, do not want to pay a whole lot for these 2 rooms at all. We leave early next am for Amalfi Coast. Looking at the Holiday Inn, but it gets very mixed reviews - any suggestions?

Rome: Whole family is meeting here. Needs to be reasonable, as some on a much tighter budget. Only 1 night - 2 doubles (must be Queen or King)/2 twins. Like the Panthenon area or Spanish steps. Rooftop bar or restaurant. At least 3* - would like to keep it around $300/room max. We have resvs at the Albergo del Senato, which looks perfect, but at E335 per night for a standard room, just too much $$. Again, large, clean, Internet, etc. - would love to have a balcony/view, but know I'm really pushing it. Any ideas?

Very frustrating, as we could do the Westin on points & 2nd room at E510, which, in total would be cheaper than paying for 2 of the above described rooms, but rest of family couldn't swing that rate at all.

We have stayed at the Santa Chiara--just behind the Pantheon. Large rooms, but sort of personalityless. Good breakfast. clean. We also have stayed at the the Cesari just a short distance away. Smaller hotel. We liked that too. Of course the Del Senato is the best--there is nothing like waking up in the morning to watch the Pantheon square waking up too and the rooftop bar is great. Our room there, though, was the smallest of the three hotels.

brendamc:

You are demanding an oxymoron ....

Naples:
Holiday Inn is not good, bad location near station.
There is a very nice Crown Plaza on you way to Amalfi
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/napcs?rpb=hotel&crUrl=/h/d/cp/1/en/hotelsearchresults
Naples Capodichino (NAP)
Distance: 30 KM / 18.64 MI South to Hotel
Taxi Charge (one way): 80,00 € (EUR)
Time by taxi: 40 minutes
Complimentary Local Area Shuttle
Radius 12.0 KM

Rome:
I bookmark this hotel http://www.hotelpiccolo.it
Have not stayed there.
We just stayed 2 nights in IC de la Valle ... a little expensive and 4 nights at
Sheraton Golf Parco de' Medici Hotel & Resort, Roma. Very nice hotel. We had a very large room. It's a little remote, but has a shuttle bus to Plaza Venezia, which we used every day.

Try this - loooong lines, but IC managed a reservation for us:

Pizzeria Baffetto Cuisine Pizza Hours Daily 6:30pm-1am
Via del Governo Vecchio 114
Location Near Piazza Navona & the Pantheon
Reservations Reservations not accepted
Phone 06-6861617
Credit Cards Not accepted

If points are not a factor, consider looking at Priceline. I booked the IC DeVille (steps from the Spanish Steps) last year late summer for $150 a night; using suggestions on biddingfortravel.

Can someone recommend a nice hotel near, the airport, in Rome? Not too expensive but not a dive either. We need it for one night, to catch a connecting plane back to the US. The ones that were mentioned may be too far or too expensive.

Not sure is EURO 240 is still out of range, but we spent a very nice few days at Hotel San Anselmo for that. Very nice room in the European style, very QUIET, balcony, close to center.

Has anyone stayed at the Holiday Inn, in Rome? How is it? How far is it from the airport? How expensive are the taxi cabs in Rome?

Check Starwood website for deals--we were able to stay at the Excelsior in Naples for under 200 Euros/night. Great hotel, right on the water, shopping, restaurants, etc. in walking distance.

in Naples stay at seafront hotels such as Excelsior, Vesuvio, Santa Lucia, or even Royal and Miramare. Ifyou walk around be careful, while you might be halfawake all the others are fully awake. And do not wear Rolex or jewels.
Leaving Naples visit Sorrento where you can possibly stay at the Excelsior Vittoria a very good leading hotel.

In rome try
Jolly hotel in town centre at Corso Italia, near villa borghese.
the starhotels near the station in town centre
La residenza off via Ludovisi
SAS Rome modern hotels overlooking the train station with terrace pool
roscioli hotels

Follow-up:

In case anyone thinks this is a really bad idea, feel free to speak up. On the advice of our driver, we are going straight from the Naples airport to Priano & get 3 nights in paradise instead of our 1st night in Europe being somewhere we really don't want to be. Just pray we make it with those 2 connections... Will do Pompeii when more awake & less jet-lagged.

In Rome, the 4* I could get the best rates at is the Golden Tulip Mecente Palace. Rates were so good we all have deluxe view rooms. Not the location I wanted, but at least close to the Coloseum! Any input??