Italy - Help with high("er" not "est") end hotel Rome

Mrs_dergon and I heading to Rome for a conference mid september 2012 for 5 nights.

First tried the luxury hotels forum but got priced out with recommendations at $700-800 a night ;)


I'm looking more in the $400/ night range

So far considering Inercontinental de la Ville vs Sofitel Villa Borghese. Also willing to consider other options.

Would like to be in good location with good base rooms (I have no status with any hotel chain)

Recommendations? All welcome! Thanks, dergon! :)

go to venere.com and search hotels by prices,stars, and locations. find a few that are in the 4-500 price range. then go the website for each of those hotels, and find their best offered rate. make certain you add in all the charges, including breakfast, which is frequently not included in italian hotels. you can reduce the price of breakfast by walking out on the street and going to the near by bar. standing cuts the bar price in half.

about 10 years ago, we stayed at Hotel Ambasciatori Palace, the bottom of the 5* hotels. i had read they remodeled the place. it was not bad whern we were there. venere shows €197. their website shows €149. no idea where taxes are in those prices. but a lot of wiggle room to 4-500.

if i read their price list correctly, they want an additional €70 for breakfast.

when we stayed there, we were already pretty old, and the place was at the top of a right decent hill. we would catch a cab at the bottom of the hill and ride up to the top.

There are many higher-end hotels in Rome. Many are up near Via Veneto and in the Villa Borghese area. This article (http://tinyurl.com/lux-rome) may give you a few options and it does have over 120 photos of the inside of some of the great hotels in the city of Rome. Some might be over your price point... But certainly there are "packages" that may reduce the price, especially since you're staying for 5 days.

Do be careful when using the STAR system in Italy. The STARS represent the levels of services a hotel may provide... such as elevators, a restaurant, parking, room service, etc. They do not necessarily reflect the quality of the establishment. I've stayed at many 4-star hotels that exceeded some of my 5-star experiences. The hotels in the linked article above are definitely 5-Star anywhere! Hope they fit your price point. We've been fortunate to stay at a few (but we did have points for a couple of those stays!).

Thanks a lot! I think I may have found something good on venere

Anyone had an experience with The First Luxury Art Hotel Roma?

Thanks a lot! I think I may have found something good on venere

Anyone had an experience with The First Luxury Art Hotel Roma?

This is pretty funny.

I just saw your thread and opened it, planning to direct you to a post I made on another thread - where I provided links to an upscale boutique. And it was to the First Luxury Art Hotel. Weird huh! :)

Here's that thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/italy/1319166-hotel-rome-b-b-le-belle-arti.html

If you do book here, I'd go through the I Prefer website I linked in that other thread (and join that program) since that will give you added benefits/upgrades.

I also see a "Bella Italia" offer through the I Prefer site that lists the First Hotel:
http://www.iprefer.com/offers/details.aspx?id=596

And I see it has partnered with AMEX - so I'd check out those prices/offers as well as the ones on the hotel's site, the Bella Italia offer, Venere and the other 3rd party booking sites, etc. Here's the link to the AMEX I Prefer booking site
http://www.phgoffers.com/amex.aspx

As I mentioned in that other post, it is a great location IMO, and the TripAdvisor reviews seem great. Its rooftop dining seems terrific too. And the street it's on is a small quiet one. The current Google streetview seems to have been photographed when the hotel was under construction. Here's the view of the street with Via di Ripetta behind you and the Tiber in front of you and the scaffolding on the right is where the hotel is located:

http://maps.google.it/maps?hl=it&ll=41.908585,12.47592&spn=0.000032,0.022638&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.90859,12.475798&panoid=HKX8vd1yvNakD6D1cy8KNw&cbp=12,270,,0,0

A good thing to note about its location - as you can see in the satellite view I linked in that other thread, this "Tridente" area is just north of the Campus Martius - so it's all flat land. (Which means it's an easy walk "home" versus staying at the top of the Spanish Steps or on the Via Veneto).

If this was in my budget, I'd totally go for it.

dergon darkhelm - be sure to swing back here and give us a review if you do stay there.

Buon viaggio :)

Dergon Darkhelm, you would be wise to follow the advice offered by Sk3. She knows what she is talking about. She has all kinds knowledge about Rome (and Italy in general). She helped me out a lot with a trip to Rome and Venice about 18 months ago.

Dergon Darkhelm, you would be wise to follow the advice offered by Sk3. She knows what she is talking about. She has all kinds knowledge about Rome (and Italy in general). She helped me out a lot with a trip to Rome and Venice about 18 months ago.

Aloha! You're too kind. Grazie my friend. (It is nice to hear that my little hobby on FT has actually been of use to someone - thanks again for the shout out). :)

Just a fly by and saw wonderful, detailed replies....and links :)

I think I'll jump on it and see what happens.

((Trip isn't until September, so you'll have to wait for my semi-articulate FT review until then))

I stayed at the Rome Cavalieri Hotel on the hill, overlooking the city, which was amazing. It's a Hilton property, and the free food in the lounge was great (I'm HH Gold). It was about 300 euros a night and should be in your price range.

I am in the same boat. We are staying in Rome for 4 nights this month and considered the following chain properties because we wanted to use points as the rates are comparatively high (E350/nt+VAT):


Westin Excelsior
St. Regis
Intercontinental de la Ville
Marriott Flora
Marriott Boscolo


Both the Flora and Intercontinental have received somewhat mixed reviews on tripadvisor though they are generally praised by the top-level elites. As a result, we would have preferred to go with the St. Regis or Westin, but I was unable to find an award room with cash+points and we don't have nearly enough SPG points to do a free room. :(

So we ended up at the Intercontinental. I will let you know how it goes.

... We are staying in Rome for 4 nights this month ....

Will you be there between April 14 and April 22?

The First Luxury Art Hotel Roma is booked.

It came up this time on an expedia search. Mid-september 5 nights for $387/night.

I'll let you know how it works out.

Thanks again for the help!

The First Luxury Art Hotel Roma is booked.

It came up this time on an expedia search. Mid-september 5 nights for $387/night.

I'll let you know how it works out.

Thanks again for the help!

Meraviglioso!

Do you have any interest in taking the public transportation while you're there? If so I can share what I found to be the best bus stop/bus line, metro , etc for that street.

But you really will be able to access mostly everything on foot, or easily use cabs when desired. (I personally HATE taking Rome cabs so I do use the metro and buses).

Meraviglioso!

Do you have any interest in taking the public transportation while you're there? If so I can share what I found to be the best bus stop/bus line, metro , etc for that street.

But you really will be able to access mostly everything on foot, or easily use cabs when desired. (I personally HATE taking Rome cabs so I do use the metro and buses).

I do almost everything on foot when abroad. I get so little walking in the US that I do as much as I can when I am in a walkable city.

One thing I do need to figure is how best to get back and forth up the hill to the Rome Cavalieri, the conference venue. I just figured on walking each morning and giving myself some time, but if you have a super-awesome public transport route I'd love to hear it. :)

I do almost everything on foot when abroad. I get so little walking in the US that I do as much as I can when I am in a walkable city.

One thing I do need to figure is how best to get back and forth up the hill to the Rome Cavalieri, the conference venue. I just figured on walking each morning and giving myself some time, but if you have a super-awesome public transport route I'd love to hear it. :)

I'm like you, I walk too little here so I love that I can get around on foot in Rome - but walking up to Monte Mario seems very ambitious. I posted on the HH Cavalieri thread detailed instructions to use public transportation from the Cav into town (post #1958 (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/14913034-post1958.html)) using the bus stop Augusto Imperatore as my destination - which is not a far walk from your hotel.

Here's the google walking directions from your hotel to the bus stop (http://maps.google.it/maps?saddr=Via+del+Vantaggio,+14,+Roma&daddr=Piazza+Augusto+Imperatore,+30,+Roma&hl=it&sll=41.908594,12.476078&sspn=0.009294,0.022638&geocode=FXJ5fwIdrl6-AClFrUQgVmAvEzFAY3Cgmk8JEw%3BFY5tfwIdC2O-ACl39OCRVmAvEzH2KIycXptByg&oq=Piazza+Augusto+Imperatore,+30&mra=ls&t=m&z=17).

Your walk will have you passing the Ara Pacis encased in Richard Meier's new installation, and around Augustus' Mausoleum. Not too shabby a commute. The bus stop is just alongside the restaurant Alfredo's so I'll throw this into your thread - an interesting article I just came across in Ansa:
Alfredo's, Rome eatery with heroic past, delicious present
Owners helped Jewish families during World War II (http://www.ansa.it/web/notizie/rubriche/english/2012/03/29/visualizza_new.html_158720023.html)

And here is a reprint of the post from the Cav thread - (there are a few bus lines mentions, however you'll be taking just the 913 to get you back and forth from your hotel to the Cav):

You can take bus lines 907, 913, 991 and 999.

Some people post that they walked to the bus stop that has you going down a hill (or up the hill on your return to the hotel). I used the bus stop called "Prisciano/Medaglie d'Oro" which was a 10 minute walk from the hotel that was on flat ground. A large part of the walk is alongside the property of the hotel and I always felt safe even late at night.

Here's google's walking map of the hotel to the bus stop (http://maps.google.it/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Via+Prisciano,+7,+00136+Roma,+Lazio&daddr=41.923325,12.447175+to:Via+Alberto+Cadlolo,+ 101,+Roma&geocode=FY63fwIdMuq9ACnVN3YHm2AvEzGJXMNBEHKkTg%3BF f2yfwIdx-29ACl9XVLkmmAvEzHQg2-gmk8JEw%3BFR2jfwIdpui9ACn32klYhGAvEzEDVp9XEgD2ow&hl=it&mra=ls&dirflg=w&sll=41.924169,12.446072&sspn=0.009356,0.022638&ie=UTF8&ll=41.921886,12.446115&spn=0.009356,0.022638&z=16&via=1) Prisciano/Medaglie d'Oro. You can switch this over to "street view" mode and virtually walk it to check it for yourselves.

Here's google's street view of the Prisciano/Medaglie d'Oro stop (http://maps.google.it/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=it&geocode=&q=Via+Prisciano+7,+Roma&sll=41.923961,12.445965&sspn=0.009419,0.022638&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Via+Prisciano,+7,+00136+Roma,+Lazio&ll=41.92405,12.446011&spn=0,0.022638&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.924141,12.446064&panoid=YwC9uvxXK2UQ-HdXjR8pAw&cbp=12,233.07,,0,5)that you'd take leaving the Cavalieri (this view is facing south - you can see the bus stop on your right).

Coming back I used the 913 bus. I'm not a bus person and never liked the look of the buses crammed full of people, so I thought it smartest to take a bus where it originated - thinking that way I'd be guaranteed a seat. Also, the location of the 913 originating bus stop felt safe. (Conversely, I felt very uneasy at night at the bus stop that originates at the Metro Cipro, line 907).

Here's the street view of 913's originating stop at Augusto Imperatore (http://maps.google.it/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=it&geocode=&q=Piazza+Augusto+Imperatore,+Roma&sll=41.90496,12.500725&sspn=0.074867,0.181103&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Piazza+Augusto+Imperatore,+00186+Roma,+Lazio&ll=41.905216,12.477014&spn=0,0.022638&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.905137,12.476984&panoid=g8w7_QJJCsYGQB3XaSWroQ&cbp=12,46.61,,0,2.25). You can see on your right the bus lane where the 913 will pull into. (And of course, do use the features of these maps to pivot around the view to "see" where you are, and use the map in the right hand corner to get your bearings).

Following advice from FTer RinR I familiarized myself with the bus stops that lead up to the one I'd use to get back to the Cav (so I'd know when to push the button).

Here's the street view of the Medaglie d'Oro/Romagnoli stop (http://maps.google.it/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=it&geocode=&q=viale+delle+medaglie+d'oro+272&sll=41.90496,12.500725&sspn=0.074867,0.181103&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Viale+delle+Medaglie+d'Oro,+272,+00136+Roma, +Lazio&ll=41.919283,12.442532&spn=0,0.022638&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.919364,12.442601&panoid=1IJxzsTmaUlk1O5GSlydzA&cbp=12,20.66,,0,5)(facing north - the direction you'll be going returning to the hotel) which is 2 stops before Prisciano/Medaglie d'Oro.

Here the street view of the Medaglie d'Oro/Tito Livio (http://maps.google.it/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=it&geocode=&q=Viale+delle+Medaglie+d'Oro,+391,+Roma&sll=41.916821,12.442794&sspn=0.018713,0.045276&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Viale+delle+Medaglie+d'Oro,+391,+00136+Roma, +Lazio&ll=41.921263,12.445514&spn=0,0.022638&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.92136,12.445582&panoid=YLMDAiCbD07OFSTQIW_uLw&cbp=12,57.02,,0,5), one stop before Prisciano/Medaglie d'Oro.

And here's the street view of the Prisciano/Medaglie d'Oro (http://maps.google.it/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=it&geocode=&q=Via+Prisciano+7,+Roma&sll=41.923961,12.445965&sspn=0.009419,0.022638&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Via+Prisciano,+7,+00136+Roma,+Lazio&layer=c&cbll=41.924141,12.446064&panoid=YwC9uvxXK2UQ-HdXjR8pAw&cbp=12,53.07,,0,5&ll=41.92405,12.446011&spn=0,0.022638&z=16)stop facing north. (The yellow bus stop is past the tree on the right side).

From ATAC's site here are bus lines 907 and 913 in the direction leading up to the hotel (note: ATAC is glitchy, you'll need to refresh the view in order to see the actual bus route. Do this by clicking on the "Altri Percorsi Della Linea" tab which will bring up the opposite route, then click on that - and then do it again to see the original route. The 'P' shows where the line starts and the 'A' shows where the line ends):
907 (http://trovalinea.atac.roma.it/zoom_in.asp?VediSemafori=off&VediMeb=off&VediParcometri=off&VediFermate=off&VediLinee=off&VediRivendite=off&percorso=907A&idmtram=50744&xmax=2309042&ymax=4651898&xmin=2304526&ymin=4642143&tipologia=URB&linea=907&circo=NO)
913 (http://trovalinea.atac.roma.it/zoom_in.asp?VediSemafori=off&VediMeb=off&VediParcometri=off&VediFermate=off&VediLinee=off&VediRivendite=off&percorso=913R&idmtram=50288&xmax=2311159&ymax=4647646&xmin=2305691&ymin=4641890&tipologia=URB&linea=913&circo=NO)
And here are the lines leading from the Cavalieri down to the centro storico:
907 (http://trovalinea.atac.roma.it/zoom_in.asp?VediSemafori=off&VediMeb=off&VediParcometri=off&VediFermate=off&VediLinee=off&VediRivendite=off&percorso=907R&idmtram=51379&xmax=2308888&ymax=4651887&xmin=2304549&ymin=4642152&tipologia=URB&linea=907&circo=NO)
913 (http://trovalinea.atac.roma.it/zoom_in.asp?VediSemafori=off&VediMeb=off&VediParcometri=off&VediFermate=off&VediLinee=off&VediRivendite=off&percorso=913A&idmtram=50293&xmax=2311158&ymax=4646882&xmin=2305716&ymin=4641889&tipologia=URB&linea=913&circo=NO)

The 913 also has a weekend and holiday schedule, but you can easily view these lines on ATAC's site - as well as the schedule for the 991 and 999. Just type in the number in the box under "Trova Linea" that says "linea o indirizzo".

I found RinR's blog articles immensely helpful in navigating the bus system:
Bus Riding in Rome (http://www.roninrome.com/%20transportation/bus)
Tickets for the Bus, Metro, Trams and Met.Ro Trains (http://www.roninrome.com/%20transportation/tickets-for-the-bus-metro-trams-and-metro-trains)
Kiosks for Bus & Metro Tickets (http://www.roninrome.com/%20transportation/kiosks-for-bus-metro-tickets)
The Metro in Rome (http://www.roninrome.com/%20transportation/the-metro-in-rome)

As I mentioned, I was a real bus novice and so had done all this research - so figured I should share this stuff.

They worked out fine, but they were definitely not fun to say the least ;) But they were an improvement compared to getting stiffed by Rome cabbies whose eyes would light up when told my destination was the Cavalieri (had one too many "scenic routes" that cost far too much ~€25 from town!). And the buses also relieved that pressure of having to make the shuttle by a certain time.

A related note: I asked both the concierge and the gift shop attendant if bus/metro tickets were sold at the hotel - and was told no.

...One thing I do need to figure is how best to get back and forth up the hill to the Rome Cavalieri, the conference venue...

In case you didn't know, the Cavalieri operates a shuttle service back and forth. I don't know what their official policy is regarding conference goers using the shuttle, and of course I don't know what your personal ethics would be on this topic - but it could be an option to get you back into town. (I wouldn't risk it getting me TO the conference though).

Here's the shuttle schedule:
http://www.romecavalieri.com/shuttleservice.php

And here are the walking directions from the shuttle stop (P.za Barberini) back to your hotel (http://maps.google.it/maps?saddr=Via+del+Vantaggio,+14,+Roma&daddr=Piazza+Barberini,+Roma&hl=it&sll=41.90226,12.480355&sspn=0.019356,0.045276&geocode=FXJ5fwIdrl6-AClFrUQgVmAvEzFAY3Cgmk8JEw%3BFZBmfwId25C-ACFJdW4OtkghJCmRq1bdq2EvEzF6UBhLxzRfGw&dirflg=w&mra=ltm&t=m&z=16)(of course, there are many routes you could take but this will give you an idea).

My other suggestion would be to double check with the event coordinators of the conference - maybe they've arranged for a dedicated shuttle just for this purpose.

dergon darkhelm, sk3 gives you great advice. I've stayed at the Cavalieri a few times, and very often met folks at this hotel. I rode the shuttle with them into town and back to make sure they got "home." The shuttle is easy to use and many folks attending conferences do seem to use it. I've never seen any one asked to get off?

This post on the Roma Cavalieri (http://www.roninrome.com/%20hotels-spas/the-roma-cavalieri) could supplement the excellent material that sk3 has given you. It does go into the bus routes a little.

A couple other options to return to your hotel (1) Ride a public bus down to Cipro Metro and take the Line A Metro (3 stops) to the Flaminio station. It's a short walk through Piazza del Popolo to your hotel. Reverse this to get to the Roma Cavalieri.

(2) The Roma Cavalieri shuttle does stop on Angelico to drop off folks headed to the Vatican Area. You could get off here, walk to the Ottaviano metro, and then ride the same A Line to Flaminio (only two stops)... and again walk to your hotel. Just tell the driver of the Roma Cavalieri shuttle when you get on that you're headed to the Vatican.

The First Luxury Art Hotel Roma is booked.

It came up this time on an expedia search. Mid-september 5 nights for $387/night.

I'll let you know how it works out.

Thanks again for the help!

I've been catching up on my magazine reading, just skimmed Condé Nast Traveler's May edition cover story: Hot List: 121 Best New Hotels in the World (http://www.cntraveler.com/hot-list/2012/hotels) and see just one listing for Rome:

First Hotel, Rome Italy (http://www.cntraveler.com/hotels/europe/italy/the-first-hotel-rome-italy)

Looking forward to your report dergon darkhelm! And buon viaggio :)

So far, so good. Just getting in to bed on night #2. Check in was nice, seated in a private side room with complimentary prosecco.

Our room is a mini-suite with a large sitting room (small sofe and wo stuffed modern sittinf chairs). Decor is modern. Bathroom is large with a marble shower, nice fixtures and a bidet. http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/bidet/1207082

Staff very friendly to a person. If you just stand there with a confused look on your face at least three people will offer aid within a minute :)

Only a 2 min walk to Flaminio metro at Piazzo Popolo. Lots of eats and drinks within walking distance.

Now need to try to figure out good places for dining.... my research in that department a bit weak.

So far, so good. Just getting in to bed on night #2. Check in was nice, seated in a private side room with complimentary prosecco.

Our room is a mini-suite with a large sitting room (small sofe and wo stuffed modern sittinf chairs). Decor is modern. Bathroom is large with a marble shower, nice fixtures and a bidet. http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/bidet/1207082

Staff very friendly to a person. If you just stand there with a confused look on your face at least three people will offer aid within a minute :)

Only a 2 min walk to Flaminio metro at Piazzo Popolo. Lots of eats and drinks within walking distance.

Now need to try to figure out good places for dining.... my research in that department a bit weak.

Thanks for the update!

Regarding dining suggestions I posted some links here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/19237243-post5.html), including 2 apps you can download and use offline - they're created by a couple of Rome foodies who truly know their stuff.

Thanks for that!

So I give the First Luxury Art Hotel Roma very good marks. 5 nights without any glitches, solid service and a great location.

I did walk up the hill to Cavalieri......................once. It was hot and muggy.....By the time I made it I had soaked through my shirt to the point of such embarrassment that I had to get right on the shuttle and go down back to the hotel to shower and change.

All in all it was a very nice trip! Thanks much to the FTers, esp sk3 who helped out.

Favorite meals: Settimio and al Moro. Also liked a place called Cybo.
Least Favorite meal: Rosati at Piazza Popolo (I knew it was a tourist trap but I was so tired from all day in and out of Pompei that I gave up trying for better). Food wasn't bad, but waaay overpriced.

Thanks for the follow up dergon darkhelm! Glad to hear your stay at The First (http://www.thefirsthotel.com/eng/index_eng.html) Hotel went well.

I only saw the lobby from the street when I was there last, but it really did look great.

So were you in a "Junior Suite (http://www.thefirsthotel.com/eng/suites_rome.htm)"? Did it look like it does on the website?

And wow, you WALKED to the Cavalieri! I'm impressed.

Thanks for the follow up dergon darkhelm! Glad to hear your stay at The First (http://www.thefirsthotel.com/eng/index_eng.html) Hotel went well.

I only saw the lobby from the street when I was there last, but it really did look great.

So were you in a "Junior Suite (http://www.thefirsthotel.com/eng/suites_rome.htm)"? Did it look like it does on the website?

Yep. That's our room. As represented :)

Thanks for the follow up dergon darkhelm! Glad to hear your stay at The First (http://www.thefirsthotel.com/eng/index_eng.html) Hotel went well.

I only saw the lobby from the street when I was there last, but it really did look great.

So were you in a "Junior Suite (http://www.thefirsthotel.com/eng/suites_rome.htm)"? Did it look like it does on the website?

Yep. That's our room. As represented :)

Yep. That's our room. As represented :)

Thanks for the reply! ^

Really does look like a great new hotel option in Rome that fits the bill of your subject title: "High("er" not "est")end hotel Rome", and is better located than most of its competitors.

Thanks again for taking the time to follow up on your thread.

Happy travels. :)