Hotel Raphael in Rome?
Feb 24, 2001 | 3:32 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: JFK/LAX
Posts: 1,436
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.
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.
Feb 24, 2001 | 5:53 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 46,817
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! 
I'd probably suggest the St Regis Grand!
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'd probably suggest the St Regis Grand!
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
Feb 24, 2001 | 7:53 pm
#5
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 35,597
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.
Feb 25, 2001 | 5:27 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: Southwest, Hilton
Posts: 896
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.
It's just that there was an exceptional rate at the Hotel Raphael.
Feb 25, 2001 | 1:30 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: JFK/LAX
Posts: 1,436
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.