My wife and I are going to Italy for a week and will spend a few days in Rome. We don't mind spending money on hotels (e.g. we recently spent time in several Amans, the George V Paris, the Raffles) but only if it gives us something special. If not we'll gladly stay somewhere simple and spend our money on other things - we don't have unlimited funds.

Looking at Rome, Hotel de Russie seems to be the recommended hotel (although some prefer the St Regis or others). We can get a Virtuoso rate for just over 500 euros (3 night package). However, comments on various travel forums are mixed (e.g. Tripadvisor) with people compaining it is 'old in a mouldy sort of way'. Now, I don't mind old - being European I am quite happy not to have the highest water pressure or quaint room layouts for example, as long as that is compensated by a concomitant old world 'charm' or whatever label you want to apply. If it doesn't have that it's just old.

I guess this is a roundabout way of asking - for a young couple who do not have a huge amount of money, are we making our stay in Rome considerably more special by staying here or would we be better of saving our money and spend it on a hotel elsewhere where we would get better value?

Thanks for your advice