We have never been to Italy. We plan to stay a few days in a winery in Sienna but we need nice but reasonably priced and well-located lodging for 2 nights in Rome and then in Florence for 2 nights.
We could also rent adjoining hotel rooms. Does anyone have any suggestions? As a first time visitor I would never suggest getting an apartment. That is something, IMO, for people who travel often and know a city. You'll be better off in a hotel where you will have someone you can ask questions of and who can help you out in certain situations. I almost always rent apartments. I find the owners or managers of apartments are always very helpful and available if you have any problems.
Many now will leave a phone for you to call them with questions. The only problem sometimes is finding a short term rental in the summer. I use www. If you indicate that you are four people and want one room under additional search options , a lot of the choices it shows will actually be suites, while others will be quad rooms. You can enter your destination as " Rome city centre", it will weed out the places that are out in the boondocks.
Many of the apartments listed by booking. This is really the best of both worlds. I agree with Donna that first time visitors should really have the support of a hotel. I also agree with this on the whole unless you are really a self-starter. It is much cheaper though to stay in an apt once the size fo a travel party reaches 3. That beign said, when you stay in an apt you have to do everything yourself including getting enough toilet paper and cleaning supplies at thye local store.
I don't know how many apt rentals there are in a smaller place like Siena. In larger places like Rome and Florence , there is ofte a 3 day minimum stay which can be a 7 day minimum if the stay is ast the height of the tourist season. I usually stay in one base and rent an apt for at least 7 days. Italain hotel rooms are usually small. Suites are not very common and therefore are much more expensive. I stay at a hotel that also has apartments though I have not stayed in the apartments so can't comment except one night in a small one which would not be suitable for you in any case - you would then have access to their staff assistance, their roof deck - again, I love the hotel and can speak to the quality and experience of the hotel and the rooms but this is just a referral to their website to see if their apartments appeal to you -.
