I'll be there from Sept. 28th onward.

On a related note, I'm thinking of staying at one of the "super cool" hotels like the Exedra, Aleph or Hotel de Russie-- if anyone has any thoughts on those, or can point to a thread on same (I'm very inclined towards the Exedra.) I've been to Rome several times, usually stay at more out of the way places but this time I have some friends staying centrally.

Thanks!

Hola. I haven't actually staid at any of your choices but I started the attached thread on the Exedra last year and there's a recent favorable post from Sept 2 where a guy reports a fabulous rate of �209 incl an upgrade, brkfst, and a dinner.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...eferrerid=9641

I've checked out the hotel - the facilities are gorgeous, the staff are gorgeous. But I attempted an email correspondence after meeting the reservations manager last May and it was just hopeless (her emails all contradicted each other and as I was looking to establish a relationship with one hotel for frequent visits it just made me nervous - so I opted for the Excelsior). Also of note, a friend of the family is on the Boscolo board (which also operates the Aleph) and even she admitted that management has a habit of hiring pretty people who aren't necessarily the sharpest tool in the shed.

But if it was me and could stay anywhere, hands down it would be the Russie.

You probably have these links as well but...

http://www.boscolohotels.com/hotel.cfm?SectionId=578

http://www.boscolohotels.com/hotel.cfm?SectionId=660

http://www.hotelderussie.it/index.html

There's also quite a buzz about Hotel Art on Via Margutta - I checked out the lobby - it's a gothic/mod/kubrickian hybrid of a place....

[Can't seem to find the hotel's own site but these two should help]

http://www.italyhotelsdirect.com/hot...rome/index.htm

http://www.slh.com/italy/rome/hotel_romart.html

FWIW.