Thank you JDB - great information much appreciated. Specifically, we arrive on 1 November and will head to Puglia on 2 November. Right now, the plan is to return on 11 November (a Sunday) and our flight out is 13 November. By the end of the Puglia trip, we'll just be walking from town to town on the coast, and the coast does not appear to be as interesting as say, Cornwall or Wales, so we might cut it short and spend one more day in Rome.

I specifically did not mention hotels I bookmarked, because I didn't want to limit the discussion. I had bookmarked UNA Hotel, and in fact it was discussed on this thread about a hundred posts ago. Also, at Termini, I was looking at Gioberti Art Hotel, although it's not as well reviewed (I know, don't pay attention to TripAdvisor), but it's funkiness appeals to me.

I also bookmarked Monti Palace (street noise?) and Princeps Boutique (to far from the action?) I looked at Nerva but something turned me off, breakfast maybe, but I'll look again. Note: I eat breakfast like an Italian, but my wife has to have food in the morning and breakfast in the hotel will get us underway earlier.

On the other side of the Capitoline, I saw the Kolbe, but it looks like a huge business conference type hotel. May I'll look a little harder in that area.

I also looked at The Inn at the Forum, but Perche said something about street hawkers outside at all hours, plus the bedding arrangements don't work for us (lack of twin beds).

Just for grins, I looked at the Palazzo Manfredi, and I might yet do it, but it seems a bit out of the way.

Meanwhile, I'll spend some more time looking at B&B options. Stairs are not a problem. The little places we say at on these walking trips seldom have a lift.

Anyhow, thanks for taking the time to respond. Any other input appreciated. I will definitely report back what I decide to do.