What is the best area / location to stay in Rome?

Question

Am going to Rome for 5 days in April 2007 and was after safe / convenient area to stay in. Any recommendations for 2-3* hotels will be very welcome!

Answer 1

I wouldn't stay near Termini.  It's not the best area & it's not very picturesque.  Try this website:  www.nycerome.com.  You can choose your hotel by area & I recommend you stay in Via Veneto, Trevi Fountain, Villa Borghese, Pantheon, Navona or Spanish Steps areas.  They're all right in the heart of the city & you're within walking distance to a lot of the major sites.  I lived in Rome for 3 months in an apartment next to Piazza del Popolo (which on the nycerome map is Spanish Steps area.)  The last time I was there I stayed in Via Veneto area at a hotel called Domus Julia.  It was a nice little hotel with an elevator & air conditioning (important if you're going there in summer).  They bring a continental breakfast to your room.  I got a really good rate for it during peak season.  It's a 5 - 7 minute walk from the Spanish Steps and your right near the subway which is super easy to figure out.  

Once you narrow it down to a few hotels go to www.tripadvisor.com to check them out.  Other travellers rate their experience & it really helps you to pick one.  One of the hotels I was looking at was above a night club (which I didn't know) & everyone who rated that hotel mentioned it & how noisy it was.

Have a great time.  It's an amazing city.

Answer 2

Try to find a cheap hotel walking distance from Vatican City, you have to at least see that.

Answer 3

The Beehive is a hostel run by Americans. You can get a dorm bed for about $25/night. Or a private double room for $80. www.the-beehive.com

Colors hotel is run by locals who specialize in backpackers and getting people to know Rome without spending a ton of money. $23-$150 depending on what you want. www.colorshotel.com

Albergo Sole di Biscione comes HIGHLY recommended from many of my friends, and my favorite guide book. $80-$175 depending on what you want. www.solealbiscione.it

The other option is to look for a homestay or B/B which will emerse you into the local thing. That's my preferred way. They are TONS of websites that can help you find this type of thing.

Answer 4

Termini! There is the principal train station and also the most interesting thing to see. About hotel... I recomend you: Hotel Assisi.

Answer 5

The best area to find a hotel in rome is the area that  runs from the stazione termini to the centro storico (historic center). it isnt the safest area, but is full of decent hotels that aren't too expensive (relatively speaking). it has easy access to numerous buses and the subway. plus, you can walk to the city center (piazza venezia, colosseo) in 15 minutes...

Answer 6

We always stay in the Parioli district.  It's residential and very safe, a 20-minute bus ride away from Termini station.  Read our Italy travelogues: http://www.thetravelzine.com

Happy travels!

Answer 7

There are lots of small reasonable priced hotels around Termini Railway Station. Hotel Stella is a 2 stars hotel but it's clean, comfortable and cheap. It is located in the centre of Rome, a five minute walk from the train station. The service is also quite nice.

Answer 8

Alex's B&B.   abbcare.com    Cheap. Clean. Safe. Great Location. Basic.  B&B 2 blocks from Vatican.  45-75 Euro (including breakfast).  PERFECT!  You won't get any better prices or people.  Safe area. Just know it is only identified by a small brass address plaque on the wall.  

You can also get private car for 2 round trip for about 75 Euro from airportconnections.com.  I used them.  It was nice not having to worry about traffic or schedules in a large unfamiliar city.  The driver gave us the senic tour there...no extra charge.  I am female and walked around he area alone after dark.  Maybe not the smartest thing to do in any city, but I did it...and survived.  

Wherever you stay, take a copy of the hotel address with you for the drivers.  Sometimes they speak NO English.

There is a hop-on hop-off bus for Rome.  It may coast 25-40 Euro per person, but worth it.  One leaves each sight every 15 minutes.  You can catch each as you wish and know you are just on your way to the next sight. No guessing with maps yourself.  No wasting time!  

Oh, if you have the slightest asthma, or allery to dust, mold, or mildew avoid the Catacombs.

Answer 9

I'll suggest you Eurostars International Palace hotel- via Nazionale no.46. It's a very well located one, just in the center of the city, in a very safe area and, at the same time, very close to the main beauties of Rome.

Answer 10

I hate to be so vague, but when we were there we stayed kinda in  a suburb and it was cheaper and you sure did get to know the locals. Best vacation ever