Rome advice please

[Richie]

Suggestions for a centralish hotel with a swimming pool appreciated TIA.

[Lady London]

To dare is to do wrote:

If you do go to Mass, they used to do a service sheet in several languages so you can follow. Even if you’re not religious or Roman Catholic it’s centuries of tradition to watch.

As for the undesirable elements of the city, when I went must be 10 years or more ago if you go to buy train tickets from station there used to be young girls beggars gypsies offering to “ help” buy your ticket. Don’t engage. Also watch out for moped thefts make sure any handbags or cameras are worn across body and make sure you have good strong zips, never underestimate how quick these thieves are!

I’ve stood twice in St Peter’s Square for Mass with 10,000 or more) other people, at Easter. I’m not religious at all but it is quite an event and yet somehow, humbling.

[Blair Waldorf Salad]

Richie wrote:

Suggestions for a centralish hotel with a swimming pool appreciated TIA.

The Melia Villa Aggripina probably has the most open outdoor pool area in the centre. But even then it’s across the river to the west by the Vatican. Waldorf Astoria is in a park above the city but again has an open-ish feeling pool area. Anything closer to the centre will be rooftop pools of likely tight layout.

[AJA]

Richie wrote:

Suggestions for a centralish hotel with a swimming pool appreciated TIA.

Not sure what your budget is but Parco dei Principi Grand Hotel & SPA looks rather nice.

Or there is the hotel as featured in the current hotels.com tv advert, the Palazzo Dama.

A cheaper option is the Accor mercure Colosseum which has a rooftop pool, albeit quite small.

Further out is the Crown Plaza St Peters which is near the Villa Pamphilli park.

[Richie]

Thanks for all suggestions, I’ll take a look.

[Nate1309]

E-bikes and e-scooters were literally everywhere when I went in the spring. Lots of companies but Lime was the most common and reliable.

We used scooters to get to almost every tourist destination. It’s not for the faint of heart though as Rome roads are crazy.

Visiting places after dark can be really amazing too, lots of them are lit up beautifully and there is hardly anyone else there.

[Blair Waldorf Salad]

Crowne Plaza St Peters is my worst hotel stay for years. It was a last minute necessity for one night after the Hilton at the airport cancelled my stay. A blessing in disguise as its reviews are even worse.

Comically bad rooms at the CP, in desperate need of refurb. I sat on a towel rather than directly on the furniture. No discernible aircon during an unusually warm end of April. The breakfast restaurant was like a dining room from a 1980s Victoria Wood sketch.

Probably a one off but from 7am to 10am there was a full on rave taking place in the garden of a villa next to the hotel. Pounding music that did not let up for 3hrs. Hopefully that was just a single occurence.

[AJA]

Wow that CP has gone downhill then. My OH stayed there on a biz trip, albeit 8 years ago, and said it was very good, the only negative was it was a bit bland American box. Sounds like the hotel hasn’t had a refurb since. Maybe best avoided. Must say it’s further out than I’d go for as the Vatican is the closest tourist site and everything else is on the other side of the Tiber. I’ve not stayed at the others I suggested. The only one that I did which had a pool was the Aldrovandi Villa Borghese but that’s currently closed for refurbishment which was needed.

[Jill Kinkell]

Rome Cavalieri has a wonderful big outside and inside pool. Hotel is pricey but nice. ( did 342 Hilton via Emyr) Free shuttle minibus down to centre.

[Michael C]

We had a great stay at the “faded glory” of the Excelsior, although reviews vary wildly!
Fab location & b-fast.

[Blair Waldorf Salad]

Michael C wrote:

We had a great stay at the “faded glory” of the Excelsior, although reviews vary wildly!
Fab location & b-fast.

I moved from Crowne Plaza on arrival night to Westin Excelsior for 3 nights. It is due to be refurbished and rebranded as The Luxury Collection within Bonvoy. I used SNAs to get a large suite with 4 balconies overlooking Via Veneto. Due to fire safety (rooms are chintzy) no ironing boards or kettles in the rooms. I had to pay to have 2 shirts ironed and returned to me. Anything else I hung over the shower and let it run hot qnd steamy. Breakfast is good but dinner in the same restaurant was pretty awful. The tables either side also complained of poor quality meats, badly cooked. Anyway, the Excelsior was expensive but the pain was reduced by Amex Plat cashbacks. It was booked late when the new Intercontinental bounced me.

[0 post]

For getting around in Rome, the public transport system, including buses and the metro, is quite comprehensive. From the Waldorf Astoria, taxis or rideshares might be a bit more convenient and direct, though. Just remember to always have some cash on hand, as not all taxis accept cards.

As for sightseeing, the Colosseum is a must-see. Its incredible history and architecture were the highlights of my trip – truly mesmerizing. Given you have three days, I’d suggest checking this 3 days in Rome itinerary, which I followed.

[masaccio]

Been looking for next April and prices are obscene, even compared to London. Eventually I went for an Airbnb. And it’s not as if breakfast is hard to come by in central Rome.

[WaynedP]

masaccio wrote:

Been looking for next April and prices are obscene, even compared to London. Eventually I went for an Airbnb. And it’s not as if breakfast is hard to come by in central Rome.

https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/rome-recommendations-needed-family-of-4/