Heart of Rome versus Termini Station

That is an impossible question to answer. Have no idea what you mean by feel. We always stay (4 times) in the Termini area just for the sheer convenience. And for several very good, somewhat non-touristy restaurants in the area. Some feel the area is a little seedy but we like it.

I've stayed in budget hotels north of Termini twice. The area is convenient to the train station, has low-cost eating places, and reasonably-priced laundromats. Termini itself is full of businesses that make your stay easier, like a grocery store, low-cost cafes, TI, etc. I always prefer to stay within a few blocks of the train station wherever I travel, since I hate lugging my stuff all over town. And it makes leaving town easier and cheaper since no taxis are involved. From the Termini area it is easy to walk/bus/Metro around the city. I walked back to my hotel alone late at night once and felt perfectly confortable. This area is close to the university so there are many students around. I've discovered that areas around universities have good budget opportunities.

Wow, my apologies.I did not mean to make my question difficult. I used RS words as I stated "feel" as he described "the heart of rome" as unigue and the "place to stay" to capture the true feeling of Rome. I will try and be more specific when I ask a question. I am not looking for convienence as much as I am immersing myself in Rome for the short time I am there. I only wondered if there were "better" places to capture this goal.....and if others had experienced the dramatic and extensive unpleasant staff at Hotel Smeraldo that is described in such detail on TripAdvisor. Thats all.

Swan, Thank you for your response. the information was precise and gives me something to consider. I really appreciate evryones kind and helpful advice.

Hi Dawn,
We stayed at the Hotel Smeraldo two years ago and I don't remember the staff being rude. I loved the location! I've stayed near Termini as well (but not in the Residenza Cellini) and while it's convenient if you have a morning train to catch I'd rather be near Campo de' Fiori for my stay in Rome. I think other people have discussed Hotel Smeraldo on this site--you could do a search to see what others have said.

My wife and I have stayed in Rome 11 times in 6 different areas.

Of the hotels we've stayed in we found the Pantheon area to be the most "immersive" (Pantheon View B&B), followed closely by the Colosseum area near Via Cavour (Hotels Paba and Perugia). The Termini area was on the "fringes"

Way back in 1992 we had a very enjoyable stay at the Albergo Pomezia around the corner from the Smeraldo. In 1994 they were full and we were sent to the Smeraldo. At the Smeraldo we were treated very rudely - we assumed it was because the young people there didn't like older people and wanted to get rid of us !! In any case we left and went elsewhere (Even had trouble getting our things out - they wanted me to "prove" that I actually owned my raincoat!). Apparently some things never change.
In sum, I would say that the Campo dei Fiori area is well worth staying in if you can find an alternative to the Smeraldo but the Pantheon (i.e. close to the Pantheon) and Colosseum areas are also good.

Dawn, nothing to apologize for. These are all perceptions and feelings that are personal to each traveler. How I perceive the heart of Rome is most likely very different than how you or someone else may perceive it. We kind of like the grittiness of the Termini, the hustle, the crowds, the more local restaurants, especially the Middle eastern hole in the wall across from the station. For us, that is the Rome of today. The one criticism that I will make of the Rick Steves' recommendations is that a few -- very few -- places have been so over run by his disciples that the locals forgot how they got on his list in the first place. We were very once disappointed by one of his restaurant recommendations but also counted six Rick Steves guidebook on tables in the restaurant. And we were not carrying our guide book. Too much of a good thing.

Dawn, I stayed in the Termini area on my last trip to Rome, and it was wonderful! I also like to be within walking distance of the station, as I normally travel with a Backpack and don't want to walk too far.

As Frank mentioned, all the "hustle and bustle" and general ambience in the Termini area is great. It's also convenient to the Metro and tour buses, restaurants, etc.

I haven't stayed at Hotel Smeraldo so can't offer any feedback. Given that Rick verifies his accomodation listings at least once a year, the fact that Smeraldo is listed in the 2008 guide book is probably a good sign ("well run, clean and a great deal").

Perhaps those commenting on Trip Advisor weren't RS readers, and therefore were treated differently by the hotel staff!

Cheers!

Hi Dawn--I've stayed at Smeraldo and also have stayed near Termini. I prefer the area around Campo dei Fiori, and I do think there is a different "feel," although that does not mean one is better than the other. I found the area around the campo more atmospheric, more what I pictured Rome would be before I went, and less touristy, and the area around Termini more bustling, less romantic. I did not find the staff at Smeraldo to be rude at all, even though the airline lost my husband's luggage and we bothered the staff all day long to find out if it had come in or not. I have read those same reviews of Smeraldo, but it certainly wasn't my experience. We must have caught them on a friendly week! We loved our stay there and would definitely recommend the area and the hotel.

Also, regarding Ken's comment: we did use Rick Steves' name and received the Rick Steves' discount. It never occured to me that we might be getting better treatment because of mentioning the guidebook.

I think that it's true that we get better treatment when we mention that we got the recommendation for their hotel from a Rick Steves guidebook. I even mention it when I inquire online to make sure I get the price quoted in the book.

I don't know anything about Hotel Smeraldo but I would choose the Pantheon area anyday over Termini area. The area near Termini has the worst selection of restaurants. Campo Fiori area is definitely my favorite and the restaurants are fabulous in that area. Walking through the market there in the morning is one of my favorites in Rome. It is so much fun to buy things there--love the challenge of buying and the seller explains what the item is in Italian. I could spend hours watching women peeling artichokes!That area does not seem touristy at all.