Hotel Raphael in Rome?
 

Would anyone recommend or not recommend this hotel in Rome?

I stayed there in 1997. Location is excellent, Piazza Navona. I wasn't interested in being by the Spanish Steps, Via Veneto etc.

Rooms were average size, public areas nice. The staff was slightly gruff and unapolagetic. Concierge was terrible, giving me a hard time about making reservations, one night not actually making the reservation.

That said, I've not heard really great things about most of the 5 star hotels in Rome (Raphael is a 4 star) which tend to be +-$200 more a night than the Raphael.

It is by far not my favorite hotel, but my understanding is that Rome is not a great hotel city.

Thanks for your reply. Would the location override the negatives about the hotel? Do you have another alternative?

I visited here about two years ago but never stayed! The location is quite good IMHO. It also seemed to ber very nice at first blush! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I'd probably suggest the St Regis Grand! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/000452.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/002185.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/002941.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/000310.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/000763.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/000785.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/001174.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum74/HTML/001260.html

I go to Rome on business several times a year. I have not stayed at the Raphael; however, I can recommend the Minerva Holiday Inn. It is in the historic center of the city, behind the Pantheon. It's a wonderful location, with marvelous restaurants and Rome's beautiful squares in easy walking distance. Its rooms are fine, and it has a nice restaurant on the rooftop - good food, very pleasant when the weather is warm.

We usually stay at the Hotel Gregoriana on top of the Spanish Steps. This time we are going with friends and I am having the darndest time communicating about the type of room I want. The hotel only does fax and it won't commit to two rooms with views.

It's just that there was an exceptional rate at the Hotel Raphael.

If you've got an exceptional rate, I say go for it. I enjoyed being by the Piazza Navona simply because you could start and end your day/night there at any one of the many restaurants or cafes. I felt it was very centrally located--rarely did I take a taxi.