I'm going on a cruise that departs out of Civitavecchia. I will only be in Rome one night - just a few hours really. I can't believe how expensive the hotels are! Can anyone recommend a place to stay near some of the major sights so I can at least see a few things for the short time I'm there. Has anyone been on a Windstar cruise? I know such a thing probably doesn't fall within the Rick Steves philosophy, but I've done the RS style tour in the past. This is a splurge for a 50th b'day.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
What is your price? Hotel Sonya is nice -- three blocks from the train station, great breakfast, and you can catch a bus or walk a mile or so to the center of Rome.
Posted by
Carlsbad, CA, USA
3 posts
The Hotel Sonya is good but requires a minimum two-night stay. We're ending up our Italian tour this October coming from Sardinia returning to Rome via Civitavecchia and have a one-night stay at the "Welcome Home Residence" about two blocks from Roma Termini. It is a reasonable price. Their telephone number is: 1-800-246-8357. Good Luck!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
Since when does Sonya require two night stay? We transit through Rome this summer (first week of June) and stayed one night.
Posted by
OP
Baltimore, MD, USA
4 posts
Most of the hotels the travel agent showed us were $400+. Anything less than that would seem like a bargain. I've been to Rome before and I wasn't a huge fan of the area around the Termini. Plus given the short amount of time we would like to stay somewhere near the major sights so we could at least see one or two big things.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
You are going to pay $400 for upscale hotels in the major tourist area plus the cost of getting to and from the hotels. For whatever reason you may not be a big fan of the train station area but, in our opinion, the train station area is a good area to stay in. Several good local restaurants in the area and nice hotels.
We have been in Rome four times, mostly recently this past June and have taken two cruises out of Civitaveechhia. Always stay on the SE side of the train station area simply for the convenience of being able to walk to and from the station. We have used Aberdeen, Sonya, and Contilia. Sonya has the best breakfast, Aberdeen the nicest by small margin and Contilia the closest. All are 3 Stars hotels in the range of 130 E for a double. The train station area does have a rundown, seedy look to it but a lot of Europe has a rundown seedy look. In the US we associate seedy with high crime.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
.... cont.... In Europe a seedy look just means that it is another neighborhood needing a good cleaning. We have walked that area late evening (10pm or so) and thought it was very safe. Lots of people on the street, side walk restaurants open, traffic, etc. We are in our 60s so we are not young backpackers willing to take on anything.
All of the hotels are within a block or so of via Nazionale which is a main drag with buses into the major tourist areas. We normally walk but you can catch severeal different bus along Nazionale.
Another advantage to Contilia -- laundrymat across the street.
Good luck
Posted by
525 posts
Try The_Beehive for an inexpensive room in Rome. It is a couple blocks from the termini. I don't think they require two nights.
Good luck and happy cruising.
Posted by
Baltimore
104 posts
I am staying at the Arena Guest House in September. The price seemed resasonable and it had good reviews. It is close to major sites like the Colloseum. It only has 12 rooms, so availability might be an issue. You can check availability and book online, which is convenient. Although you reserve with credit card, I believe you must pay in cash.
Posted by
Windham, NH, USA
34 posts
Returned last week, Beehive is about 500ft from Termini - easy to find - 75& euro a night for 2 people in one private room. I was with my husband and son. The place is VERY clean, bright, secure, with friendly staff, free internet and a GREAT free map of the city ... envio friendly mission too. I would highly advise it. If you wander any further away from Termini the area reminded me of the Bronx in NYC. The Beehive is a great spot. It books up, so secure your room asap.