Italy - In Rome - Hotel 47 or Eden?

I realize they are both in diffferent locations but both have their merits. Anyone familiar with these?

I realize they are both in diffferent locations but both have their merits. Anyone familiar with these?

I've stayed at neither but I'm familiar with their locations. Last November I checked out the public spaces of Hotel 47 and its rooftop restaurant.

How did you come to narrow your decision between these 2 properties? (It's an odd pairing).

By frustration! There are so many options that it becomes difficult to narrow it down. Wanted to spend about 300 euros per night (or less) and certainly not looking for a hostel type setup. Location is important, as we like to walk out and just start exploring. Having said that, also like some quiet, hence the Eden. Have been at European hotels that were so central but the traffic and noise can be overwhelming. The Eden caught my eye because it's in a great neighborhood within walking distance of the Borghese Gardens but accessible to the Forum, etc. The Hotel 47 appears much closer to the Forum and that area but still is a nicer hotel.

By frustration! There are so many options that it becomes difficult to narrow it down. Wanted to spend about 300 euros per night (or less) and certainly not looking for a hostel type setup. Location is important, as we like to walk out and just start exploring. Having said that, also like some quiet, hence the Eden. Have been at European hotels that were so central but the traffic and noise can be overwhelming. The Eden caught my eye because it's in a great neighborhood within walking distance of the Borghese Gardens but accessible to the Forum, etc. The Hotel 47 appears much closer to the Forum and that area but still is a nicer hotel.

Yes, it can be frustrating, I agree!

I am by no means an expert, but I have a hobby of checking out Rome hotel accommodations. (Rome's my favorite city, I've traveled there about 15 times now, mainly doing the hotel points thing, SPG and HH. I've stayed often at the Westin Excelsior - about 55 nights so far.)

I've walked past the Eden often, and it definitely exhibits a rarefied air. Have you checked out our Starwood forum? There are many threads there, on all the SPG Rome city properties, and many threads that compare between the 3 (the Eden, the Excelsior and the St.Regis).

Since you're using cash, and this is FlyerTalk afterall, an advantage of staying at the Eden is that you'll earn a boatload of SPG points - which will defray the costs of future SPG stays, and thus, in my mind, also lessens the actual cost of the current stay.

Have you been to Rome before? In case you're unaware the location of the Eden (and the Excelsior) will have you walking hills often. If you're heading to Villa Borghese from either of these then you'll have an easy trek.

But if you wanted to go to the Spanish Steps shopping district then you'd need to walk down a steep street (Via Francesco Crispi) and then up a steep street (Via Sistina) and then you'll find yourself on top of the Spanish Steps (which you'd descend to get to the shopping/dining options).

Here's the Google streetview (http://maps.google.it/maps?hl=it&ll=41.904505,12.486225&spn=0.000008,0.005659&t=m&layer=c&cbll=41.904676,12.485904&panoid=xGM9LdC3tSNdPo_nyYVrHg&cbp=12,332.8,,0,8.45&z=18)where you can see Via Francesco Crispi on your right, the street you descend coming from the Eden, and Via Sistina on your left, the street you then ascend to get to the top of the Spanish Steps.

From that same Streetview you can pivot in the other direction and see the streets you'll have to further descend if you were heading to the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and further to the Colosseum/Forums etc. And of course, going back to your hotel each day will have you ascending these hills. Something to keep in mind (unless you're already familiar with the terrain and I just typed out the glaringly obvious ;) )

I don't have your dates (and prices will vary according to the season) but for ~ €300 a night I think you'd also be able to stay at the Intercontinental at the top of Via Sistina. Then your daily "commute" would have you descending the Spanish Steps and heading out from there. I believe there should be a thread dedicated to the IC Spanish Steps on our Intercontinental Forum.

A hotel that I stayed in only once, the Grand de la Minerve (http://www.grandhoteldelaminerve.com/), will have you right behind the Pantheon, extremely centrally located for heading out on foot each day - with out the hills. You could forego getting a room facing Piazza della Minerva (with Bernini's elephant and obelisk) and then it should be quiet - I opted for the view of the Pantheon however.

Hotel Rafael (http://www.raphaelhotel.com/intro-page.htm) also comes to mind (behind Piazza Navona and superbly located). I checked out the public spaces but didn't stay. I only know what I've read over the years and what I see on the website - so do check out the reviews for yourself.

Another place I've read about often, located in the "Spanish Steps" area, but this time in the area with all the stores at the foot of the steps is The Inn at the Spanish Steps (http://www.theinnatthespanishsteps.com/). From here you could sojourn out and easily stroll south (no hills) down Via del Corso, or further over on Via della Scrofa and you'll find the Pantheon, Largo Argentina, the Campidoglio, etc..

But getting back (finally) to your question of the Eden or Hotel 47. I absolutely LOVE the idea about being based where Hotel 47 is located. (I'm now staying in Rome apartment rentals and I'm obsessed with finding an apartment on the nearby streets Via di San Teodoro, Via dei Foraggi, Via dei Fienili, etc). So I've looked closely at Hotel 47 and the other 2 properties in that area - Palazzo al Velabro and the Kolbe Hotel. But I'm very focused in what areas I visit when in Rome - and I assume most visitors to Rome are not and would want easier access to all the "bullet points".

I assume you've seen all the reviews on Hotel 47, my 2¢ is that the common areas were very proletariat, for lack of a better word. As soon as you walk in there's a simple desk on your left with someone with a laptop. And a very small seating/lobby space and the area where breakfast is served is in view. I thought the person at the desk was someone manning a makeshift spot for some conference group in attendance or something, so I approached the woman somewhat apologetically and asked if she could please direct me to reception. And she said she was reception. Ah, ok. I had gone inside because I wanted to check out the rooftop restaurant - it's very strking from the street level at night - it's lit very snazzily. So I went up there and I did like the restaurant space alot, especially with the views of the Temple of Portunus and the Round Temple with the Aventine behind them in the distance. I also walked in the hallways to peek in the rooms if possible - and in general the whole place had a vey claustrophobic feeling - tight corridors, many rooms faced a small interior courtyard (which you can see from the elevator ride). And my takeaway was that I'd come again to check out the restaurant but wouldn't want stay there. But... if you make a reservation there let me know if you want some neighborhood tips.

Here's the last of my unsolicited suggestions, since you mention the "I Prefer" Hotel 47, what about another "I Prefer" choice. Check out this thread for more info:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/italy/1316182-help-high-er-not-est-end-hotel-rome.html

This is a huge help and thank you for this. I'm going to assume you are in the travel business and focus on Italy. I love your detail and I can't think of any of the guidebooks I have looked at have been as descriptive of the areas as you have!

Thank you!

This is a huge help and thank you for this. I'm going to assume you are in the travel business and focus on Italy. I love your detail and I can't think of any of the guidebooks I have looked at have been as descriptive of the areas as you have!

Thank you!

No, no I'm not in the travel business at all (had been an actor, then in the "financial sector" - and now unemployed for quite some time!). I'm just sincerely in love with Rome and endlessly fascinated with Rome's Republican era - that's why I love Hotel 47's location so much. And being unemployed I have a lot of time to kill - thus my endless posts. ;)

But thank you. Shoot out any questions you might have -there are some real Rome experts on this forum (RinR and Alice11 I mean you!)

And in case you're unfamiliar with the Slow Travel website, it's terrific for planning itineraries once in Italy (I use FT to get me there and ST for the rest):
http://slowtalk.com/groupee/forums/a/frm/f/862600685

I post there as "Jady" and I've just updated a thread there that may be useful to you:
Recommended Sources for Rome Trip Planning (http://slowtalk.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/862600685/m/790007924001)