9 Hotels for Roman Holidays

Unexpected treat: The whirlpool tubs in some rooms.

Nearby attraction: The Piazza del Popolo, one of the most splendid displays of architecture in the city, is five minutes away by foot.

• Hotel Lancelot (Via Capo D'Africa 47, 011-39-06-7045-0615, www.lancelothotel.com). $185.

This 60-room, three-star hotel has everything going for it. The lobby is filled with art and bright, comfortable furniture. The individually decorated rooms have firm beds, are spacious by local standards and come with TVs, minibars and telephones. The bathrooms are stylish. The location (a five-minute walk from the Colosseum) puts you in the center of one of the city's hippest neighborhoods. But the best thing about the hotel is the staff. Members of the Khan family, which has been running the place for almost 40 years, are old-style hoteliers adept at pleasing guests. They told me, for example, about places not listed in guidebooks that offer excellent deals on men's suits and shoes.

Best for: Travelers who put a strong premium on dedicated service.

Unexpected treat: The elegant on-site restaurant, with its small communal tables, offers three-course dinners for the modest price of $28 a person, including wine.

Nearby attraction: The Colosseum and the Forum are practically at the doorstep.

• Franklin Hotel (Via Rodi 29, 011-39-06-3903-0165, www.franklinhotelrome.it). $158.

This two-year-old boutique property, sleek and modern, is a refreshing departure from the Old World feeling of most Rome hotels. The owners are die-hard music lovers and have fashioned the entire property around their passion. The lobby, filled with sleekly designed furniture and piped-in pop and jazz, would fit right into West Hollywood. The guest rooms are furnished in a contemporary style, with photos of musicians and CD players, TVs and telephones. The bathrooms are bright and fresh with chrome fixtures. The staff, mostly young and hip, are a fun bunch. A 25 percent reduction for Internet booking recently expired, but other deals are offered frequently.

Best for: Hipsters of any age.

Unexpected treat: The complimentary CD library, which has everything from Bach to Alicia Keys.

Nearby attraction: The Vatican museums are a 15-minute walk away.

$250

• Boscolo Hotel Exedra (Piazza della Repubblica 47, 888-626-7265, www.boscolohotels.com). Usually $350, but the Italian lodging Web site www.venere.com has doubles at $250 a night for a three-night stay, including buffet breakfast, a welcome cocktail and one night's dinner for two in the hotel's elegant restaurant. To find the deal, locate the Boscolo Exedra on the Venere site and click on Special Offers. It's available until Sept. 5.

Opened a year ago, this 240-room five-star hotel has a grandly decorated lobby. The rooms, among the biggest and most elegant in Rome, have sky-high ceilings, huge windows and space enough for a Campari party. The rooms' muted pastels, silk drapes and bathrooms splashed with marble round out the neoclassical style. But the nearby Piazza della Repubblica, although being refurbished, has not yet attained the glamorous aura of the hotel.

Best For: Those celebrating a special occasion.

Unexpected treat: The finely landscaped rooftop garden, where you can sip a drink and watch the fashionistas lounging across from you or passing on the street below.

Nearby attraction: The remains of the Diocletian Baths and the Basilica of Santa Maria are footsteps away.