Best affordable hotels in Rome

Shelly, "affordable" means different things to different people. If you can post a budget you'll get more exact responses. As for the "don't miss" sites, everyone has their own opinions of those also. The "main" sites are: the colosseum, forum, palatine hill, trevi fountain, spanish steps, pantheon, piazza navona and the Vatican. Of those I don't think the spanish steps are worth the time if you only have a day but that's just my opinion. It's very important that you get a guide book and decide what is important to YOU. This way you'll be doing your own trip and not that of someone else. Donna

At the risk of sounding flip, you do realize that Rick Steves has written an excellent book addressing exactly these questions along with a lot of other questions that you will end up asking, right? You really should get a copy. It will be the smartest money you spend on your trip. And you can find lodging that fits your definition of "affordable" since that varies for everyone. Happy travels.

I have just booked a B&B VERY close to the Vatican and CLOSE to the Metro stop Cipro. http://www.bbmuseivaticani.com/bed-and-breakfast-rome-gb/rooms.htm Although we have NOT actually stayed there, I have had wonderful conversations with the owner, Erminia, and feel extremely comfortable with everything we have confirmed! We will pay 80 Euros per night including breakfast, free wi-fi, cleaning, and en suite bathroom. It is directly near ther entrance to the Vatican Museum which will allow us to enter early & quickly. I have searched long and hard and feel I have made a good, reasonable choice for a nice place in Rome!
Annette

I'd agree with Donna and Michael that affordable is different things to different folks. The centro area will be the most expensive area, so you may have to raise your budget. You may be surprised by the price of accommodations in Rome - especially in the city center. With 3 couples you may also need a larger facility, which may exclude many of the less expensive B&B alternatives. In the centro area, these links have the best-rated hotels by venere.com and booking.com guests. They are all across the price spectrum: Pantheon Area, near Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps Area, and near the Trevi Fountain. If you want a less expensive alternative, but still accessible to the centro area, you can look in Trastevere or the Colosseo and Monti Area. If it's your first time, I'd suggest trying to stay in the centro area. There's no substitute for the convenience and ambiance at night in centro Rome.

Shelly, I agree with the previous comments regarding the Italy Guidebook. There's an incredible amount of information there not only on Hotels, but also restaurants, sightseeing, transportation, etc. Note that the Guidebooks are now available as E-books, in a variety of formats (Kindle, iPad, etc.). The Guidebook will be an investment that ultimately saves you money. Regarding Hotels, I prefer to stay in the Termini area as it's so convenient for transportation (and I like the area). Two Hotels you might consider are Hotel Sonya or Hotel Aberdeen. Happy travels!

Thank you all for your valuable input. I did purchase Rick's Tuscany/Florence book back in the fall 2011 as we began planning our trip. Since we have now decided to spend a few additional days in Rome, I'll buy his book on Rome. I am an second-generation Italian with many relatives still living in Italy, yet I have never been. It's going to be an incredible journey!

My cousin loved trevi B & B 50 metres from trevi fountain. Myself staying at Hotel Romance good reviews on trip advisor and near Colosseum where our tour is next morning. dont like crowded tourist areas. Evening after dinner Pincio Hill for views over rome walk to best restaurant near Colosseum.. La Vaca Griglieria at via Urbana 29, We will have been and conquered b4 you so I will let you know how we went. You had better send me an email tho or i will forget by then lol!!!! just to remind me Incase mine doesnt come up its [email protected]

i travel solo to Italy each year on a "budget" since I stay 4 to 6 weeks each trip I have used monasterystays.com for the past 4 years. Particularly in Rome where hotels are very expensive, i can find a clean room with private bath in most areas of Rome. once you check their web site you will find some locations that are hotels with great amenities. In November I used Booking.com for my month of reservations and found great prices in off season.....
enjoy.

We stayed at Downtown Accomodations for 3 nights. Budget friendly and only a 5-10 minute walk to the Forum. The street is busy but the entrance was secure and we stayed in a room off the street so it was quiet.