Hotel Sole al Pantheon - Rome

[Babie]

I'll be sailing from Rome next month and will be staying 2 or 3 nights precruise as well as one night post cruise. For the post cruise night I'll probably find a hotel near the airport as my flight leaves around 8am.

 

I've read a lot of reviews about hotels in Rome, but I've yet to come across any mention of Hotel Sole al Pantheon. However, I have read that many people consider the Pantheon area to be the best central location for sight seeing (by foot)

 

Have any of you stayed at this particular hotel? What did you think about it?

 

Thanx in advance.

 

 

[Dowunder]

While I have not stayed in this hotel I have rented an apartment around the corner. It is in an excellent position for sightseeeing although the Pantheon attracts many tourists (and pickpockets). Don't let that put you off because you are within walking distance from just about everything and close to one of the best and very Roman restaurants Ristorante da Fortunato and the two best coffee places in Rome, Sant Eustachio and Tazza D'oro. Piazza Navona is a short stroll away.

[Longin2cruise]

A friend & I stayed there about 18 months ago & absolutely loved it! I'll say that again, loved it! That being said, what kind of hotel you're looking for will determine whether you will like it or not. If you're looking for a cookie cutter, American style hotel you will not like it. If you are wanting a hotel with tons of atmosphere, charm, fantastic breakfast, & great service, this is a wonderful hotel. The Sole al Pantheon is the oldest hotel in Rome & has been around since around 1496. It is located on the Piazza della Rotunda & it is possible to get rooms with a view of the Pantheon. Just my opinion, but the Pantheon area is the very best base for exploring Rome. On my last trip to Rome this past fall, I did not stay there because of the prohibitive price. However, I'm thinking of another visit to Rome this fall & right now the Sole al Pantheon prices are looking good. You might look on Trip Advisor for reviews & see what others are saying about this hotel. I did this before we stayed there & determined that any negative comments made didn't affect what I was looking for in a hotel.

 

Complaint Examples & My Responses:

 

slow elevator........I don't go to Rome to ride a fast elevator.

 

too much night noise from the Piazza.........I'm so tired after a day of siteseeing I immediately fall asleep, noise or not.

 

hotel looks old............well, duh, it's been there since the 1400's, what did they expect?

 

unfriendly staff.............I did not find this to be the case at all.

 

Have you looked at the hotel's website? There's lots of good information there.

 

If you have any other questions, I'll be happy to reply.

[Longin2cruise]

Just out of curosity, I just went to Trip Advisor & looked at the latest reviews for Sole al Pantheon. Complaints included hard beds but this is not a problem for me. I like hard beds.

Annex rooms need renovation. I can't comment on this as I have never stayed in one of the annex rooms. Non-working air conditioner. This would be a huge problem for me if it were the time of year that air conditioning was needed. However, I'm thinking this has the possibility of being a problem in almost any hotel that is not extremely modern.

[texancruzer]

Had to chuckle......hard beds are a fact of life in pretty much all the hotels in Rome...... You will be so tired from flying/walking/eating gelato that it will not matter :D

[Longin2cruise]

Had to chuckle......hard beds are a fact of life in pretty much all the hotels in Rome...... You will be so tired from flying/walking/eating gelato that it will not matter :D

 

Exactly! Also to your list add all the wonderful Italian food, wine, & limoncello. I'm always able to sleep on any bed; it doesn't matter if it's a marble slab or a feather matress.

[cruisemom42]

Somewhere should be engraved the 3 cardinal rules of Italian hotels:

 

1. The rooms are small. (Just expect something similar to your ship cabin.)
   
2. The beds are hard. A true queen bed is hard to find; most are two twins pushed together.
   
3. The lift (if it exists at all), is antiquated, tiny, slow, and apt to be out of order, particularly if your room is on a higher floor.
   

[Donray]

Somewhere should be engraved the 3 cardinal rules of Italian hotels:

 

1. The rooms are small. (Just expect something similar to your ship cabin.)
   
2. The beds are hard. A true queen bed is hard to find; most are two twins pushed together.
   
3. The lift (if it exists at all), is antiquated, tiny, slow, and apt to be out of order, particularly if your room is on a higher floor.
   

 

 

Very ture. I don't know where they get mattress that are that hard. Maybe stuffed with grape vines?

[cruisemom42]

Somewhere should be engraved the 3 cardinal rules of Italian hotels:

 

1. The rooms are small. (Just expect something similar to your ship cabin.)
   
2. The beds are hard. A true queen bed is hard to find; most are two twins pushed together.
   
3. The lift (if it exists at all), is antiquated, tiny, slow, and apt to be out of order, particularly if your room is on a higher floor.
   

 

 

In case anyone should think I'm complaining, I add the fourth rule, which is: None of the above will matter because you are in beautiful Italy!!

[Longin2cruise]

In case anyone should think I'm complaining, I add the fourth rule, which is: None of the above will matter because you are in beautiful Italy!!

 

I totally agree with all 4 of your rules!

[nparmelee]

And the bathrooms are often tiny. If there is a shower, opposed to a tub with a tub faucet, it will be tiny.

[bobbisailsolo]

I booked this hotel for my post cruise. I think it will be wonderful. Did you check their web site? they offer a substancial discount if you prepay for the room.

[Babie]

Thanx for all the great information!

 

I've completely decided on this hotel. I'll be booking it tonight! I think I'm getting a fantastic deal, too. $507 total for 2 people for 3 nights!

 

I really love history, and this to me, is just a living historical site!

 

I know never to have high expectations when traveling. I've learned that if you go in with an open mind, you will be happy with just about anything.

 

Last month I stayed 2 nights in South Beach before B2B2B cruises, and was expecting a small room. I was surprised at the size, the location was amazing, and the price couldn't be beat.

 

I also rarely listen to nit-picky reviews because usually if the place has a major problem, the problem will be mentioned in many reviews, not just a single one.

 

Thanx again! I'm really excited!

 

 

[CintiPam]

A wonderful location, and with your visiting in February, you don't have to worry about the complaints about the A/C or noise from open windows! We stayed in this neighborhood, near Campo di Fiori two years ago, and will be returning again in June because strolling around "Old Rome" in the evening is a delight. Great atmosphere, great restaurants, great people-watching. Enjoy!

[Longin2cruise]

Thanx for all the great information!

 

I've completely decided on this hotel. I'll be booking it tonight! I think I'm getting a fantastic deal, too. $507 total for 2 people for 3 nights!

 

I really love history, and this to me, is just a living historical site!

 

I know never to have high expectations when traveling. I've learned that if you go in with an open mind, you will be happy with just about anything.

 

Last month I stayed 2 nights in South Beach before B2B2B cruises, and was expecting a small room. I was surprised at the size, the location was amazing, and the price couldn't be beat.

 

I also rarely listen to nit-picky reviews because usually if the place has a major problem, the problem will be mentioned in many reviews, not just a single one.

 

Thanx again! I'm really excited!

 

 

 

Your attitude sounds a lot like mine so I'm sure you'll be happy at the Sole al Pantheon. Also I think their web site very accurately reflects what the hotel is actually like so hopefully you're not in for any big surprises. We arrived in the morning before our room was ready but they had someone escort us to the breakfast room where we enjoyed a delightful breakfast. By the time we were finished with breakfast, our room was ready. I would also like to mention that they have free internet service in a room just off the lobby.

The friend I was traveling with owns her own business & needed to keep in touch with employees. We were given instructions on how to use their system & initially we couldn't get it to work. We went to the desk & the lady came to the computer & happily helped until my friend was able to access her e-mail.

 

You got a fantastic price!!!!! Have a wonderful time, but just know that I'm envious. Let us hear from you when you get back.

[Babie]

You got a fantastic price!!!!! Have a wonderful time, but just know that I'm envious. Let us hear from you when you get back.

 

I just saw you're from Bedford. I lived in Euless for about 10 years when I was a child (I was born in Ft. Worth) We had a house on Denton Drive in Euless. My grandparents, 2 of my uncles, 3 of my second cousins and my grandmothers sister all had homes on Denton Drive. Was like a giant family reunion every day!

 

Small world :)

 

 

[bobbisailsolo]

Thanx for all the great information!

 

I've completely decided on this hotel. I'll be booking it tonight! I think I'm getting a fantastic deal, too. $507 total for 2 people for 3 nights!

 

I really love history, and this to me, is just a living historical site!

 

I know never to have high expectations when traveling. I've learned that if you go in with an open mind, you will be happy with just about anything.

 

Last month I stayed 2 nights in South Beach before B2B2B cruises, and was expecting a small room. I was surprised at the size, the location was amazing, and the price couldn't be beat.

 

I also rarely listen to nit-picky reviews because usually if the place has a major problem, the problem will be mentioned in many reviews, not just a single one.

 

Thanx again! I'm really excited!

 

 

Wow, you got a super deal. what time of year are you going? What site did you book on?

[Babie]

Wow, you got a super deal. what time of year are you going? What site did you book on?

 

We arrive on the 19th. So just a little over 2 weeks from now.

 

I booked the last minute special the hotel offers and chose to book it on the hotel's website. Their price beat other booking sites by a few bucks. And it being my first time in Europe I felt more comfortable booking directly with the hotel anyway.

[Longin2cruise]

I just saw you're from Bedford. I lived in Euless for about 10 years when I was a child (I was born in Ft. Worth) We had a house on Denton Drive in Euless. My grandparents, 2 of my uncles, 3 of my second cousins and my grandmothers sister all had homes on Denton Drive. Was like a giant family reunion every day!

 

Small world :)

 

 

 

I know exactly where Denton Drive is. It is a small world!

 

Since this is your first trip to Europe, I'd like to offer you a bit of advice. By all means, get out & around Rome at night. The monuments are lit & they are absolutely spectacular!!! It will absolutely take your breath away. I have never in my 70 years seen anything quite so beautiful!

[Babie]

I know exactly where Denton Drive is. It is a small world!

 

Since this is your first trip to Europe, I'd like to offer you a bit of advice. By all means, get out & around Rome at night. The monuments are lit & they are absolutely spectacular!!! It will absolutely take your breath away. I have never in my 70 years seen anything quite so beautiful!

 

Thanx!

 

I had actually decided a night time tour of Rome is a must! The photos I've seen are amazing and I can't wait to see the sights for myself!

 

[yellowbird23]

Heh! What about me!!!??:D:D:D