“Magnifico!”
Wow! This hotel was not only beautiful with tons of Italian charm, but it was also modern and 'up-to-date' by any standards. It's luxurious but not ridiculously pretentious, like you find too often in the States. They also have different styles of rooms and some have balconies - so ask when you book. All the windows open for fresh air, which is a nice feature. It's in a quiet location that is just off the beaten path, so it feels very private and exclusive.
The rooms and baths are super-spacious, showers are as hot as you want them, and the beds are amazing - the mattress has a feather-bed top layer, and a selection of pillows! The rooms have all the features you could want - refridgerators, safes, flat-screen TVs, tons of storage, room service, internet, and fabulous bathrobes! However, I would suggest that if you need a morning wake-up call, you might want to set an alarm on your cell phone or whatever, just to make sure you get woken up when you need to be!
If you travel often for business or pleasure, and you're used to higher-end accommodations, I would highly recommend the Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese.
Area recommendations
There really isn't a 'bad' neighborhood, just some that are not as high-end/high-rent as others. Veneto, Borghese, and Spagna are the high-end neighborhoods, with fabulous shopping and dining. Trastevere, Pantheon, Navona, Trevi, and Quirinale are all great in their own way. Rome is an amazing walking city, maybe even more so than New York City, so plan on hitting the streets every day to explore!
Getting around
You get the best vibes and experiences when you walk in Rome, and don't be afraid to head down the small side streets and alleys - you can stumble upon a wonderful enoteca (wine bar) or cafe that could turn into the best meal you've ever had. I would also suggest learning a bit of basic Italian - most Romans you'll deal with will know at least a little English, but it helps to know the basics - it's not that hard at all. People in Rome are a bit more aloof to tourists, but don't take it as them being unfriendly.
Be savvy and use common sense when navigating the city; no one will hold your hand for you - if you're not comfortable with that, you'll need to get over it. Do not be alarmed at the crazy, constant traffic and seemingly death-defying driving habits of the citizens. Driving there is a combination of aggression and going-with-the-flow acceptance, so DO NOT attempt driving in Rome unless you have SERIOUS driving skills - and no macho behavior, yelling, or flipping birds - that will have no affect, so just relax.
Know that everything is EXPENSIVE; I would recommend not going until you can afford to relax and enjoy it without worrying about every penny/euro you spend. You pay for bottled water (gas or no gas), and there is no ice unless you ask (unless you order a cocktail or mixed drink). There are many ways to be frugal, of course, and there are various price ranges for most anything, but if you're on vacation in a great city like Rome, you'll want to splurge!
