The Intercontinental is at the top of the Spainish Steps. It's a nice hotel in a reasonable location. Rome is a very large city, so you can say a lot of hotels are reasonably situated. If you like shopping, it's steps from the Rodeo Drive of Rome. Other than the Via Veneto, the Via Condoti, the Rodeo Drive, is a interesting area to walk around in the evening. There are a lot of nice restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. The Intercontinental has regular promotions each summer which make their rates attractive.

While the Intercontinental has no grounds, the Hilton sits on a large piece of land -- it's kind of a resort. They also have complimentary bus service to various places. It's very near the Vatican.

I've stayed at both. It's hard to say which is better -- price should be a determinate.