Rome

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Hotels

Sixteen million tourists passed through Rome in 2005, making it one of the most-visited desti-nations on the planet. And the city is doing all it can to make its visitors comfortable, with the number of hotel beds rising from 83,000 in 2001 to 91,000 in 2005.

 

Standards & prices
Italian hotels are classified on a star system, from one to five. One star usually indicates pensioni, which are cheap but have very few facilities; you may have to share a bathroom. The more stars, the more facilities a hotel will have; but bear in mind the fact that a higher rating is not a guarantee of friendliness, cleanliness or decent service.

 

A double room in a one-star will set you back €40-€100; a two-star, €45-€150; a three-star, €70-€300; a four-star, €200-€600. Five-star prices start at around €500, and don’t stop until your bank manager starts to weep.

 

Prices generally rise by a relentless ten per cent a year, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for special deals, particularly in low season. Hotel websites are the place to look for latest details. If you’re staying in a group or for a longish period, ask about discounts.

 

If you’re visiting with children, most hotels will be happy to squeeze a cot or camp bed into a room, but will probably charge 30 to 50 per cent extra for the privilege. Some offer triple or quadruple rooms, which tend to have a bit more space.

Flat rents
If you’re here for any length of time, or with children, renting an apartment could prove a more economical and flexible alternative. The Short Lets Assistance agency (www.shortletsassistance.com) has a wide choice of apartments all over central Rome, while the London-based A Place in Rome (www.aplaceinrome.com) offers delightful apartments in the heart of the centro storico.

 

Booking a room
Always reserve a room well in advance, especially at peak times, which now means most of the year, with lulls during winter (January
to March) and in the dog days of August. If you’re coming at the same time as a major Christian holiday (Christmas or Easter) it’s wise to book weeks, or even months, ahead.

 

It is standard practice for hotels to ask you to fax confirmation of a booking, with a credit card number as deposit. In high season, smaller hotels may ask for a money order to secure rooms. The www.venere. com booking service offers many hotels in all price ranges. If you arrive with nowhere to stay, try the APT tourist office, which provides a list of hotels; you have to do the booking yourself. The Enjoy Rome tourist information agency will book a hotel for you at no extra charge. You can also try the Hotel Reservation service (www.hotel reservation.it) which has desks at both Fiumicino and Ciampino airports. Avoid the touts that hang around Termini station: you’re likely to end up paying more than you should for a very grotty hotel.

 

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