ITALY - Best of Europe 2014 - page 1014

$$$RelaisTeatroArgentina, asix-roomgem,issteepedintastefulold-Romeelegance,
but has all the modern comforts. It's cozy and quiet like a B&B and couldn't be more
centrally located (Db-€210, Tb-€240, discounts for cash and for stays of 3 days or more,
air-con, no elevator, 3 flights of stairs, Internet access and Wi-Fi, Via del Sudario 35, tel.
06-9893-1617, www.relaisteatroargentina.com , [e-mail] , Carlotta).
$$ Hotel Smeraldo, with 50 rooms, is strictly run by an impersonal staff, but it's clean
and a reasonable deal (Sb-€110, Db-€150, Tb-€170, show this topic for best rates, air-
con, elevator, Internet access and Wi-Fi, flowery roof terrace, midway between Campo de'
Fiori and Largo Argentina at Vicolo dei Chiodaroli 9, tel. [phone], fax [phone],
www.smeraldoroma.com , [e-mail] , Massimo and Walter). Their Dipen-
denza Smeraldo, 10 yards around the corner at Via dei Chiavari 32, has 16 similar rooms
(same price and free breakfast, same reception and contact info).
In the Jewish Ghetto
$$ Hotel Arenula, with 50 decent rooms, is the only hotel in Rome's old Jewish ghetto.
Though it has the ambience of a gym and attracts lots of students, it is in the thick of
old Rome (Sb-€75-98, Db-€133, ask about high-season discount with this topic, extra bed-
€21, air-con, no elevator, Wi-Fi, opposite the fountain in the park on Via Arenula at Via
Santa Maria de' Calderari 47, tel. [phone], fax [phone], www.hotelarenula.com ,
[e-mail] ).
Close to the Pantheon
These places are buried in the pedestrian-friendly heart of ancient Rome, each within about
a five-minute walk of the Pantheon. You'll pay more here—but you'll save time and money
by being exactly where you want to be for your early and late wandering.
$$$ Hotel Nazionale, a four-star landmark, is a 16th-century palace that shares a well-
policed square with the Parliament building. Its 100 rooms are accentuated by lush public
spaces, fancy bars, a uniformed staff, and a marble-floored restaurant. It's a big, stuffy hotel
with a revolving front door, but it's a worthy splurge if you want security, comfort, and the
heartofRomeatyourdoorstep(Sb-€220,Db-€350,giantdeluxeDb-€480,extraperson-€70,
check online for summer and weekend discounts—you'll typically save 30 percent off their
sky-high rack rates, air-con, elevator, Wi-Fi, Piazza Montecitorio 131, tel. [phone], fax
06-678-6677, www.hotelnazionale.it , [e-mail] ).
$$$ Albergo Santa Chiara, in the old center, is big, solid, and hotelesque. Flavia,
Silvio, and their fine staff offer marbled elegance (but basic furniture) and all the hotel
services. Its ample public lounges are dressy and professional, and its 99 rooms are quiet
and spacious (Sb-€138, Db-€190, Db-€215 April-June and Oct, Tb-€260, check website