I am traveling to Rome, Italy in a few weeks and I am currently having trouble deciding on which hotel to stay at. My final two choices are Hotel Sonya and Hotel Aberdeen. Both hotels are recommended by Rick Steves and it is a difficult decision on which one to choose.
If any of you have an input about which hotel to stay at on my trip, it would be very much appreciated.
Thank you.
Olson,
I stayed at the Aberdeen several years ago on an RS tour and loved it. Nice staff, perfectly fine rooms (I was on the quieter courtyard/back side.). Charming breakfast room with good food. Good location. I was able to walk from Termini or you can take a quick taxi ride. Close to bus, Metro or in decent weather you can just strike out walking. Admit I was there in April so was cooler than this time of year. I can't speak to the other hotel but would recommend the Aberdeen. Have fun!
You won't go wrong either way. We stayed with the RS tour at Hotel Sonya and had a great experience. It's close to Termini, and there was good gelato and a laundromat just down the street. There was a British Air strike ( our airline) and the desk staff was so helpful in making phone connections for us so that we were able to get a flight home.
We've stayed at the Aberdeen and thought that it was great--rooms are small but the location is perfect! The first room we were in was near the breakfast room and very noisy early in the morning--clanking plates, loud voices, etc. They moved us to a quieter room for our next few nights and it was good.
If you stay at the Aberdeen I'd suggest asking for a quiet room away from the breakfast area.
Enjoy Rome!
Hmmm ... Money laundering. A federal offence.
I have heard good things about the Hotel Sonya on this forum but never stayed there. I have stayed twice for a week at the Hotel Aberdeen. Good breakfast, near metro and a nice hotel. As said you probably could not go wrong with either hotel. The RS Rome tours stay at the Hotel Aberdeen, I was on that tour twice. Hotel staff was nice and I would not hesitate to stay there again. It is an older hotel, so it is not fancy or pretty, but clean and a good place to sleep. Have a wonderful trip!
We have stayed at both over the years. Wife prefers Sonya (very subjective) because she thinks Sonya's lattes are better. If they are, it is a small margin. Sonya is closer to Termini so a slightly more convenient location. Otherwise it is a coin flip. Staffs are excellent. Rooms similar in size - small. On our last trip we needed to catch an early shuttle to the airport prior to the breakfast room opening. Prior to leaving the staff surprised us with a couple of sacks of breakfast items that we enjoyed at the airport after checking in. Since we were leaving about 30 minutes prior to the breakfast room opening we didn't expect the take away. Over the years we have bumped in a couple of Steves' tours using Sonya.
I have been in the Hotel Aberdeen and if you want to stay in one of the two, this one is fine. It is not upscale but fine for anyone looking for a cheap place to stay near public transport. Our friends who stayed here were satisfied.
My friend and I stayed at the Hotel Aberdeen last October, 1 double room & 1 single room. It was good, about a ten minute walk from Termini, plenty of space in the rooms, breakfast was filling. A nice Cafe across the street, enjoyed the pizza shop next door. My friend plans on staying there again with his wife next year. Also within walking distance to the Spanish Steps.
Enjoy
My wife and I stayed in Sonya for four nights June 9-12. It is an excellent three-star hotel. Located close to Termini and a quick walk to the underground Republic station. Rooms are small, but comfortable. The staff are pleasant and helpful. Breakfast was good and plentiful. The cappuccinos were the best I drank in Italy. Someone explained to me that they put more milk in the capps in Rome--just to my liking. Taxi rides from Sonya to Travestere were under 10 Euro. Plenty of good wine and food nearby. ATM within one block and a Carrie Four grocery across the street.
