Best "affordable" lodging in Rome

Try the Beehive: www.the-beehive.com The Beehive is a clean & quiet hostel and they also offer apartment rentals.

We used the Bed and Breakfast Association of Rome (http://www.b-b.rm.it/) to find accommodations near the Vatican. Rome can be expensive!

check out the casa la salle in Rome; monastery that is well within your price range and close to a Metro station.
Breakfast is o.k., however, dinner that is offered is not worth the price.

Monasteries & convents offer affordable lodgings - they run simple hotels/ pensiones in Rome. The website of Santa Susanna, the American church in Rome, has a list of convents, but some aren't conveniently located. Ron in Rome also has a list: http://www.roninrome.com/%20hotels-spas/hotel-alternatives-in-rome. Try Lonely Planet (gasp! not Rick Steves??!) for hostels and budget lodging recommendations, as they're pitched at younger travelers on tight budgets.

I would check out the Beehive... I have not stayed there but walked by it many times going to Hotel Cervia Roma which is where I generally stay in Rome. Nothing fancy but for basic lodging its fine for me. Its just a few blocks further from Termini than the Beehive.

RS book may still have the convent listed. I can't remember the name but it's a short walk from metro very close to the Colosseum. it's the cheapest when i compared back in 2003. simple room with small bed, bad breakfast, and you need to be back before 10. it's in a quiet neighborhood, hope you can still find it.

Last September we stayed at Downtown Accomodation located on Via Cavour. It is only a few blocks from the Colosseum. We paid 70 euros per night for a double with bath. It wasn't fancy, but it was clean and included breakfast (such as it was). They also have AC if you need it. If you decide to stay there, ask for a room in the back. We were on the street side and it was noisy with the windows open.

Jeff, I liked the Beehive immensely. In May 2010 it was between 20 and 25 Euro a night for a bed in the dorm. It is booked well in advance so I would get on it right away if you have not found anything else. Quiet hostel.. not a party place. Delicious breakfast-if eggs benedict is what you like. After 10 days of bread, cheese, cured meats and yogurt I was ready for a big meal in the morning. Ciao Linda!

Jeff, At that time of year, it will probably be difficult to find a decent room for €80. Even one of the Hostels I checked is charging €90-110 per night for a double with bathroom. You indicated that you are "open to staying together (all 4 of us)" and that would be your least expensive option. However it comes with "compromises", which may be acceptable since you'll likely only be in the room to sleep and shower anyway. The best option to keep your lodgings at the absolute minimum in Rome would be a 4-bed Dorm (with Bathroom) in a Hostel. The cost would be €33-35 per person. The "compromise" is that only single beds are provided, so you'd each be sleeping separately (but in the same room). One Hostel that I can recommend is This One, which is about 7-10 minutes walk from Termini station. I stayed there again last June, and the quality was as good as previous occasions. They were installing an Elevator for the first time, and it will hopefully be operational by now. Electronic card access is provided for each room, and the cards also activate the electrics. A "continental breakfast" is provided and there are internet facilities. There's also a Bar on the main floor (which is also the breakfast room), should you want to have a "cool one" in the afternoon. If you arrive prior to check-in time (~15:00) there's a new storage room downstairs where you can leave your gear. There are lots of restaurants in the area, including one around the corner that used to provide a discount for Hostel guests. This will be the least expensive option (IMHO). The Beehive is in the same area, but it's a smaller property and is often fully booked (might be difficult to book four people there at the same time). Happy travels!

Ken: I loved the Beehive but may have to check out the Allesandro next time I am in Rome. Starting to bookmark some sites for future travel planning. Thanks for the tip.

Define affordable.

Linda, If you don't mind Dorm rooms and the other "aspects" of Hostel accommodations, Alessandro Palace is a good choice. I believe my rate for a four-bed Dorm was €35 on my last stay. It's in a very convenient area close to Termini with lots of restaurants. As I recall, I noticed a new Laundromat just around the corner when I was there last June. Although I'm 60+, I don't mind Hostels on occasion. I often find other people in my age group staying there.

Another vote for the beehive. I stayed when I was on my own. The friend I was with for part of my trip wanted her own bathroom so we stayed at the Panda It was near the Spanish Steps.