Rome: Where All Roads Lead - Italy - page 28

Two Splurges with Amazing Views
€€€€ Of all the views you might wish to enjoy from your hotel room,
the ancient Pantheon has got to top the list. You can have this view at
the Abruzzi (Piazza della Rotonda, 69; % 06-679-2021; www.hotel
abruzzi.it) for € 160 a night for a comfortable double room. The view is
worth the price alone—every room faces the ancient ruin, but there are
other reasons to stay here. The rooms are bigger than many others in
Rome, especially in the historical center. And the location, not just the
view, is optimum for exploring the city center. It's only 15 minutes to the
Vatican, the Spanish Steps, and the Colosseum.
€€€€ The location among the grand hotels of this area makes the Villa
Borghese (Via Pinciana, 31; % 06-85300919; www.hotelvillaborghese.it)
another good choice and a surprisingly fair deal at € 160 a night for a dou-
ble (you'll probably pay twice that at nearby hotels). Rooms overlook the
lush greenery of the Villa Borghese, and as the former home of Italian
author Alberto Moravia, this hotel has a sense of history. The rooms are
dark and cozy and strategically arranged to capture the natural light.

€€€ The Albergo del Sole (Via del Biscione, 76; % 06-688-06873; www.sole
albiscione.it) is a fine choice when the weather is mild; doubles here start at a
mighty reasonable €110. But because it faces the noisy Campo de' Fiori, the deal
turns sour when the weather is hot and you're forced to keep your windows open.
You can pay €40 more and move up to the fifth-floor doubles, which are air-
conditioned and sound-proofed, but then it isn't so great a deal. All in all, the
rooms are very comfortable with ample space by Roman hotel standards, but the
real perk is the top-floor terrace, where you can gaze out above the rooftops over
a glass of wine after a day of touring.

, (Via
Capo le Case, 18, or Via Sistina, 149; % 06-69924555; www.casahoward.com) is
a welcome respite from the tiny, bland budget hotels that seem to dominate the
center of Rome. The two locations of the Casa Howard—both true guesthouses
in the sense that they are homes within a larger structure—have real flair, each
room decorated with a different theme. At the Capo le Case address, my favorite
is the Chinese room, complete with Shanghai Tang silk curtains; at the Via Sistina
locale, there's the stark black-and-white Zebra room with its own balcony. All
rooms have satellite TV and high wood-beam ceilings. Another nice touch is the
Turkish hammams (steam baths) available for guests' use. The cheapest rooms start
at €150 and have a private bathroom (but it's down the hall from the bedroom);
those with bathrooms in the room go for €20 to €50 more.

If you're looking for a bit of style, the ultrafunky Casa Howard

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If you're willing to sacrifice space for location, and if you're looking for
luxury at a much lower price than you'd pay for similar rooms on the Via Veneto,