Keen to hear anyone's recommendations for budget (under 100 euro/night, ideally under 85) accommodation for two people in Rome in late September. We plan to stay 3 nights and visit the usual touristy places - colosseum, forums, vatican, maybe ostia antica. Obviously we're not expecting luxury but looking to find somewhere safe and reasonably clean. Youth hostels are fine but bed bugs are not! Thanks for any suggestions, or places to avoid.
We just stayed at Hotel Positano, not too far from Termini. We had a shared bath but they have rooms with bath, also.
I would go back there. They are on the web.
They have the craziest elevator! But it works.
I stayed at Hotel Seiler on Via Firenza which is the area Rick says he normally stays in. (I didn't know that at the time, I just happened onto it on the net.) Hotel Seiler is in a nice, safe, central location. It actually looks fairly posh from the outside and in the foyer, but the rooms themselves (at least the one I was in)are a bit cramped and dark. However, they are nice and clean and most of the staff are very helpful. I just checked their website and the rooms run from 65 to 160 euros for a double. I was there in March of 2005 and, though I don't remember exactly what I paid, I know I'm always on a budget and probably paid a rate closer to the 65 than the 160. You can check it out yourself at hotelseiler.it
Chris,
Given your budget criteria, have you considered using a Hostel? Many Hostels these days have a limited inventory of private rooms at reasonable cost, but these tend to book up quickly.
If you think that might be an option, have a look at The Beehive or Alessandro Palace. Both are within easy walking distance to Roma Termini.
Happy travels!
I had a bad experience at Beehive. The room reserved for us had a broken shower which wouldn't be fixed until the next day. They wanted us to use one of the bunk beds in an 8-bed mixed dorm. Took talking to the girl about 15 minutes until she took out her booklet and found another place "for one night only".
By the time I trudged with my suitcase to the new place, several blocks away I was fuming, hot and tired. Stayed at Positano instead for the 4 days in Rome.
Got a letter of apology from the manager a couple of days later.
I read that Nan had a bad experience at the Beehive in Rome. I have stayed at the Beehive a few times and it was great!! It was very clean and for a hotel/hostel, it was amazing (even a restaurant). Check out this website wwww.cross-pollinate.com It is a bed and breakfast booking service owened and operated by the family that owns the Beehive. They have B&B's in Rome, Venice and Florence and are very reasonable. Have fun, hope this helps!!!
We stayed at the Sisters of the Palotine Convent a few blocks from the Vatican. No frills, but a convenient location near the Vatican and close to the bus stop. SUPER clean and the nuns were so sweet and friendly. We paid 68 euro for a twin bedded room (no double beds) and a simple breakfast of home made bread rolls with butter and jam (quite good) and coffe milk tea etc.
My friend and I stayed at an apartment in the Testaccio area which is non-touristy and a couple of blocks to the buses to historical areas. The apartment was very clean, nice bedroom, plus living room with pull out couch and cute kitchen with dishwasher and a washing machine in the entry way...I think we paid about 99 euro/per night in beginning of May. Go to www.rentintestaccio.com
We stayed at Hotel Montreal a few weeks ago. It is conveniently located a few blocks west of Termini and 1 1/2 blocks from Vittoria Emanuele metro stop. The price was great at 80 Euro per night for a double w/bath, and the room had everything we were wanting: air cond., fridge, safe, and a view (of the Santa Maria Maggiore Church) from our window. There were a couple of grocery stores and a gelateria in the neighborhood also, which was nice when our flight was delayed and we arrived at midnight we were able to get a gelato!
We stayed at Domus Victoria. Two blocks or so from termini. Right next to a subway stop. Clean, roomy, and safe with private bath. Maybe a 10 min walk to the Colloseo.
I would stay there again, but don't let them book taxi's for you. Because their drivers never show.
We stayed at Hotel Selene, It was the hotel our Rick Steves Family tour started in . We flew in before tour and stayed a few nights there. It was cheap, nice, but not luxe. I think I paid 80 or 90 euros a night.. last July. Would stay there again.
Check out Suites Trastevere. It might be under 100 in September. We loved it. Marco was wonderful. Our room was 105 but that was in mid-July when the prices are higher. There is grafitti everywhere in Rome so don't let that scare you off. We loved our neighborhood and loved walking in the Trestevere local restaurant neighborhood at night.