RHC - Italy

Spence · #1 (**permalink**) 12-18-2008, 04:44 PM

Just back from a great trip to Italy, highs of 50ish degF and no lines anywhere.

Mayfair Residence not badly located very close to Villa Borghese and a few blocks off Via Veneto. I had had a Studio reserved and then had more company so a week out I asked to change to the available 1BR. NO. Please. NO. Ask a manager. Manager said NO. May I speak to the Manager.... OK you can change for a cancellation fee and the upgrade fee for my Studio week. When we arrived morning of second day of reservation because of flight changes the Mayfair said I was in the Studio. I said No, I wasn't, they said they'd get the 1BR ready. We used the Studio to freshen for the day and they moved us to 1BR while we we out for the day. They were very nice. Both rooms were nice, large, relatively modern. Breakfast was included as was WiFi in the lobby.

I had stayed at Domus Romana last summer and would stay at either again. Domus has a better breakfast and is better located for walking.

Took the bus to the Metro from airport to town for a total of 3euro per person, quite easy.

Florence, second stay at La Contessina. Both great, great breakfast (but don't try to sneak anything past the breakfast nazi). WiFi is 5euro per day. A block or so from the train station and a 10 minute walk to Duomo, David, Uffizi, etc. Large room but changes in occupancy/fee structure since summer!!! Rooms have a lofted bedroom with full bed and there's a sofa bed on the lower level. RHC reservation only 2 max but you can have 2 more for a fee of 25euro/day also parking was free this summer and now is charged to RHC guests at 15euro/day. Gets quite expensive as compared to 5 months ago (the extra fees were on my confirmation from RHC but I don't understand how they changed mid-year).

Wonderful week!

mpizza · #2 (**permalink**) 12-19-2008, 06:11 AM

Thanks for the reviews. I'm hoping to reserve Rome for April 2010. Thanks to you and Grayfal's advice, I picked-up an EY RHC Studio, expires 2022, for $50 (including closing costs). I was able to reserve Paris for May 2009!

Do the European reservations usually open-up 5 mos prior? Did you split a week for Rome/Florence or did you use points?

Maria

Spence · #3 (**permalink**) 12-19-2008, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpizza

Do the European reservations usually open-up 5 mos prior? Did you split a week for Rome/Florence or did you use points? Maria

You never know when any RHC reservations are going to open. I've been waiting for Barcelona for 2009 and they finally opened up through Oct09 just this month! The mention of an upgrade fee meant I used my Studio week and not a points account. Yes, I split my week between Rome and Florence, for a fee, of course.

Piscesqueen · #4 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 05:28 AM

Would it be very difficult to get reservations the last 2 weeks of March in Rome when booking early (either week)?

I'm treating my daughter to 2 weeks in Europe for her graduation gift and she wants to go to Rome and Paris.

I haven't bought into RHC yet but am VERY seriously considering for international travel.

Any input appreciated.

Thanks.

Spence · #5 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piscesqueen

Would it be very difficult to get reservations the last 2 weeks of March in Rome when booking early (either week)?

I'm treating my daughter to 2 weeks in Europe for her graduation gift and she wants to go to Rome and Paris.

I haven't bought into RHC yet but am VERY seriously considering for international travel.

Any input appreciated.

Thanks.

For 2010 March is still wide open at Citadenes and Napoleon in Paris and at Domus and Mayfair in Rome.

Piscesqueen · #6 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spence

For 2010 March is still wide open at Citadenes and Napoleon in Paris and at Domus and Mayfair in Rome.

Thank you very much for the quick response; it's appreciated!

Would you mind telling me how many points it takes for those during these times; if not, I understand.

Thanks!

Spence · #7 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piscesqueen

Thank you very much for the quick response; it's appreciated!

Would you mind telling me how many points it takes for those during these times; if not, I understand.

Thanks!

You should be able to browse that yourself at Royal Holiday: Vacations for life! Where everything is possible

Click on Resort Guide, fill in city, click on desired resort, click on Holiday Credits.

Piscesqueen · #8 (**permalink**) 11-23-2009, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spence

You should be able to browse that yourself at Royal Holiday: Vacations for life! Where everything is possible

Click on Resort Guide, fill in city, click on desired resort, click on Holiday Credits.

Thank you very much for that! I can't believe I overlooked that

.

I'm a total RHC Newbie, as you can tell.

Thanks!