We are staying for 7 nights in Rome in mid November with my family of 4. Many hotels that I'm leaning toward are near the Termini train station (Hotel Oceania and Hotel Aberdeen). We've never been to Rome. Is this too far to walk to the major sites (Colosseum, Pantheon).
Any other recommendations? Looking for a place under $150 a night.
lorri,
I normally prefer to stay near Termini as it's so convenient for transportation. From there you can walk to the Colosseum or take the Metro (although the Metro may not be running as efficiently as in the past, from what I've heard lately). The Colosseo stop is only a short distance from Termini. If you use the Buses, be especially careful on the #64 as it has a reputation for pickpockets.
I normally stay in either Hotel Aberdeen or Hotel Sonya and both are excellent. I can't comment on Oceania as I've never stayed there, but I believe it's listed in the guidebook.
We love Hotel Sonya for the great breakfast and cappuccino. Will be there in a week!
Tough price point, but in November it is possible. I prefer Prati, near the Vatican and surprisingly convenient with walking, tram, bus and Metro, or the Centro Storico around the Pantheon/Piazza Navona where walking to almost everything is easy and there are excellent bus connections as well.
The problem with the Termini area is that it is the Termini area, with little charm and currently -- through Dec 7 -- in the midst of huge street projects in preparation for the Jubilee, which starts Dec. 8.
I did a search on VRBO.com for a random week in November and found several Prati apartments for less than Euro 150 per night. An apartment is a great idea when you are 4 people for so many nights. More space, a chance to cook light meals, keep sbacks around. And if it is central like Prati or the Pantheon area, easy to return to for a brief rest between events/tours.
I like the apartment idea, although if this is your first trip I might book a night at a hotel on arriving, it makes meeting up with the apartment manager/owner less stressful if something goes awry.
Last May my grandson and I stayed at Casa Il Rosario, a Dominican convent on the south side of Quirinal Hill. It is centrally located, an easy walk to the Colosseum, Imperial Forums, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, etc. A bit spartan, but very clean and quiet. There is an 11 pm curfew. Photos here.
I am in Ken's camp regarding Sonya and Aberdeen near Termini. We have stayed in both. Granted it is a more commercial area but has some nice restaurants, and it is very convenient. From Termini it is an hour walk across old Rome to the Vatican. That means everything is between the Vatican and Termini so most areas are reachable in 30 minutes or less of walking. Sometimes we will catch the bus to Vatican and slowly work our way by walking back to the Termini area. Just look at a map. It is easy to walk to most sites because that is exactly what they were doing 2000 years ago.
Just stayed at the Aberdeen with a Rick Steves tour. It's a great location. A short walk to both Republica and Temini train stations, and several sights, and a main shopping street. On the day we visited the Coliseum a group of us walked from there back to the hotel stopping at several places along the way including the Pantheon and Trevi fountain, a lunch stop, a couple of churches, a gelato stop and got some shopping in all in half a day. So, it is a very convenient location.
Check this apartment out - Campo dei Fiori Hi Tech Terrace. It would be good for 4. We just stayed here and it was wonderful.
I just stayed at Aberdeen earlier this month and I loved the hotel and location. I walked everywhere I wanted to go except the Vatican. That included the colosseum, pantheon, Spanish steps, Piazza Navona, and several churches. I walked back to the hotel each day before going out again for dinner. I even felt comfortable walking back from the colosseum area and pantheon area after dark because there were so many people out and about the entire walk. The staff at the Aberdeen were great.
Just submitted our reservation request for Hotel Aberdeen! Thank you everyone for your advice!!
I second Laurel's recommendation of Prati, not yet from personal experience but from a lot of research and input from Italian friends in the US who lived there for years. Prati is a lovely residential neighborhood away from the hustle of Roma centro (Vatican is in Prati area) yet easy to get to everything by bus or metro. When we're in Rome again next year we have a Prati apartment for a month. I'll let everyone know what it's like.
Lorri
You will not be dissappointed in the Hotel Aberdeen. The rooms are small as expected in Italy, but they are very clean. The staff is amazing and breakfast is good. The location is spot on. Walk everywhere and feel very safe even in the night. There are many government buildings close and you get a sense of security, Although the Vatican is a bit far. The busses are near Piazza Republica and A great restaurant to walk to is LaPentaloccia a little expensive but should be your splurge dinner. Directly across the street have lunch; pannini and wine, very cost friendly. Enjoy your stay!
Lorie-ann
Good choice to be near Termini on your first visit to Rome. We just returned from our first visit there. We walked to the Colosseum, Pantheon, Trastavere, etc., but we took a taxi to the Vatican and a subway back, because we didn't want to be late for our 7:30 am tour, and we took the subway out to Testaccio too. We had heard terrible tales of pickpockets on the subway and buses, but we didn't experience any thing like that at all. We were alert and careful, keeping all valuables in money belts, but we were very pleasantly surprised to not run into any of the difficulties about which we had been warned. Just an encouragement. Follow Rick Steve's advice. It was perfect.
We stayed in an apartment 50m from campo Di Fiori in May. Perfect area. We easily walked to coliseum, Vatican, Trevi fountain, Spanish steps, Trastevere etc. the markets at campo do Fiori and nearby coffee shops were perfect for breakfast and so many options for lunch and dinner. Would definitely stay in the same area when we return.
Monti is a nice area - between Colosseum and Pantheon, but still close to Termini, and with Metro at Cavour.
