I will be in Rome for 4 nights/3 days in mid-September. The area near the train station seems good, as it will make for easy arrival/departure and still quite walkable to what we want to see. (Our first time to Rome.)
Both Hotel Oceania and Aberdeen have ability. I see both are recommended in these forums.
Why would you choose one over the other?
Thank you!
I have not stayed at the Hotel Oceania but have stayed on the week long Rome tours, twice at the Hotel Aberdeen and would not hestiate to stay there again. It is clean and has a nice breakfast. It is in a good location and near the bus stop and metro station. The staff was always nice and it was quiet. It is a plain hotel, the rooms are not much but your not in the room very much. It is near several well know churches to visit. There is no elevator and the stairs are marble. It has a small lobby with no couches, just a desk for the staff but tons of brochures on display. There is a room downstairs to get free wifi and computer. I don't think you will get wifi in your room. But again, you are out about in Rome. I know others on this forum liked the Hotel Oceania but I only know the Hotel Aberdeen. I found the room rate to be excellent.
I hope this helps.
Have a wonderful safe trip.
I can also vouch for Hotel Aberdeen after a 7 night stay there last summer. It is clean, comfortable, and provides a pleasant stay. The staff are friendly and helpful, the breakfast is good, and the rates very economical. It's convenient to Termini; I walked to the hotel with my carry-on bag upon arrival. I walked all over Rome from Aberdeen- the historic center, Trastevere, Borghese, Spanish Steps- very do-able if you don't mind logging the miles. There is a small grocery store within 5 minutes, and several restaurants, though I wish there were a larger selection of those closer to it. Walking 10-15 minutes gives you more options for eating. I don't have any experience with Hotel Oceania, but Aberdeen is a reliable choice. Have a wonderful time in Rome!
Ditto on the Aberdeen. We've stayed there a few times, and love it. The last time we were there, we took a bottle of wine down to the desk in which we had broken the cork; they not only extracted the cork, but right after we got back to the room the desk clerk showed up with two beautiful wine glasses!
The breakfasts are good, as are the computer and wifi. Since we prefer not to carry electronics with us, we appreciate a guest computer.
And like Holly, we walked all over Rome from there. The first time we went to the Vatican we didn't walk, since we were with an RS tour group, but we did walk back to the hotel from there. I don't know that I would recommend it, but it is doable!
And we too have had no experience with the Oceania. We have stayed at two other hotels in Rome in that part of town, and Aberdeen wins, hands down.
I have been to both. I prefer the Aberdeen by far. They fill up quickly sombook very soon.the neighboorhood is vg and opposite a military sight, a gd thing.
Aberdeen is more up to date , better brfast, rooms are renovated and modern.
Half of OCeania needs a remodel.
Not been to the Oceania, but did stay in the Aberdeen. Would stay there again.
In regards to the wifi, I stayed there for 4 nights in early May and like my previous stays with the Aberdeen, the wifi worked great for me everytime. Daytime front desk people are some of the most friendly I have come upon in Italy.
Thanks so much, everyone, for your input! So wonderful to hear first hand experiences of these places.
--Linda
WE stayed at the Aberdeen while on a RS tour. It was ghastly. The breakfast was awful. The room was so humid that we both got sick. Tour members complained of the noise. Staff was very very nice but I would not stay there again.
Our experience at the Aberdeen was awful, but I think it might be the room location that matters. We were in Room 18 and I swear we were right on top of some train tracks. The noise was unbearable and those trains run early and often. We also experienced middle of the night noise that sounded like dumpsters of metal and glass being unloaded. There was no sleeping through either that or the train noise (even with ear plugs).
The breakfast room was a mess both mornings we ate there. We had to clear food and dishes from a table in order to have a place to sit.
Given the positive response you've gotten from most other posters, I'd go with the Aberdeen, but request a room other than 18.
I stayed at Aberdeen a year and a half ago and really liked it. I was first in a room with a friend for one night, and after the friend left Rome, I stayed by myself in a smaller single room for several nights. Both of my rooms were quiet. The first room was overlooking a street, but we didn't sleep with the windows open, which might have helped. I thought the breakfast was great, and I was really impressed with the staff. They were always really helpful.
Hotel Aberdeen in in a very safe location. There are always lots of police around as it is next to the Ministry of Defence I believe. We were on an upper floor and I knew about the metro or train that either went under the hotel or very close too it. We hardly noticed it and probably wouldn't have if I wasn't already aware of it. We had no traffic or pedestrian noise so I found it quieter than most hotels we had stayed at in big cities. The breakfast was nothing to write home about. It was just average. The hotel staff was very friendly. We stayed there on an RS Tour. You might want to look at Hotel Scott if you want to be really close to the train station. I stayed there in the 70's and really liked it. I have looked at their website and it looks even nicer now, but I have no current knowledge other than their website to go on.
We have been in the Aberdeen twice and am unaware of any train anywhere - certainly no surface train. There is a metro line in the area but we were not aware of it at anytime. We heard the glass/steel when a big dumpster was emptied one morning but it passed quickly. During our stay the breakfasts were excellent. Another good hotel in the same area - little closer to Termini - is Sonya across from Opera House. Also used by Steves' groups. My wife prefers the lattes at Sonya -- the differences is small - so that is now our hotel of choice when in Rome. No experience with Oceania.
Good to know about Hotel Sonya, as well, for another time. I had looked at them, when browsing.
