Few hotels have guest lists that stretch back to the Renaissance. But the Sole is one of the oldest in Europe: It had already been going for almost half a century (under its previous name, the Locanda del Montone) when racy rhymer Ludovico Ariosto put up here in 1513. Today it's a pleasant, efficiently run four-star, though the desk staff can be a little cold. A room on the piazza comes at a premium, but it's worth the price: The side view across to the Pantheon really is extraordinary (ask for a third-floor room if you're worried about noise from the piazza below). The decor is classic, with brocade covers on the somewhat mushy beds and reproductions of Old Master paintings and prints on the walls; there are hot tubs (some of them decidedly petite) in all rooms. A good buffet breakfast is served—in a pretty inner courtyard in summer. Rack rates are a little steep for what you get, so keep an eye on the special offers posted on the Web site.