We're going to be in Rome for 3 nights in May. We are two women in our 60's, and I can't decide where to stay. I've narrowed it down to Albergo Santa Chiarra near the Pantheon because it seems to be within walking distance of most of the major sites, has good bus connections (no Metro nearby) and seems centrally located, although I'm a little afraid of the buses as I've heard of some bad experiences. I also like Hotel Opera Roma because it is within walking distance of the Termini train station and is close to the Metro. Our goal is to be somewhere where we can walk to some of the major sights and can get to the rest easily by public transportation. We'd like to be in a nice area for restaurants and walking around in the evenings too. Any thoughts on which would be best? Any other suggestions for great hotels in these areas? Santa Chiarra is about E 215 and Opera about E165/night.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11335 posts
How about an apartment half way between Piazza Navona and Campo dei Fiori for less per night than either hotel? Palazzo Olivia is a couple of blocks from a major bus stop, the tram to Trastevere is another block further, 25 minute walk to the Colosseum, and 25 to the Vatican/St. Peter's Square. You will need to take a taxi to and from Termini, which is about 13 euros. We took a bus to the Metro a couple of times, and the tram, otherwise we walked (6 to 10 miles a day!) and we are 57 and 66.
Posted by
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
1127 posts
If you read reviews of any hotel you are bound to find some bad reviews. No one can please any one. Do the bad reviews mention things that would be a problem to you? The Pantheon area is quite lovely and a great place to walk around. There are restaurants all over Rome.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11335 posts
Barbara:
Just noticed your concern about the busses. We did not take the infamous #64, but took several others. Never felt in danger or threatened. We did not end up in any that were terrbly crowded, always got a seat, so maybe we were lucky. Also tried to avoid the huge rush hour crush when we did take a bus, usually after 0900. Just use your moneybelt, don't carry a lot of stuff. I had a PacSafe purse, which I really liked for the security and convenience. Laurel
Posted by
A tiny island in Puget Sound WA, USA
166 posts
Hi Barbara,
I'll be in Rome in May '11 also and the area near the Pantheon/Piazza Navona is my favorite. I booked at a place called Navona Garden Suites. The price is around E190/night. It has lots of good reviews on Trip Advisor. Good luck and enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Marin, CA
527 posts
I much prefer by the Pantheon and Piazza Navonna neighborhood. There is so much more ambiance and history and it is nice to stay in the pedestrian only zone as they do drive crazy there. Evenings are lovely for strolling there. I have stayed by the Termini once, as we were passing through quickly, and while it was convenient for the trains for me it wasn't as magical and we walked alot more.
Posted by
Atlanta, Ga, USA
2023 posts
You are making a great choice by staying in an area near the Pantheon. Have not stayed at Chiarra but it looks nice but try to get a room on the back side of the hotel if noise would be an issue. We stayed at Hotel Due Torri nearby and it is on a quiet street-a very nice small hotel-was around 180 euros per night. Agree with the above post-nothing magical or charming in the area around the Termini. Would never stay in that area again.
Posted by
Tullahoma, TN
17 posts
We just returned from Rome and stayed in the Pantheon area. We walked every where and did not find it difficult (we are in our 50's). We stayed in an apartment since we were a large group so I cannot speak re hotels but you can see many sights if you stay near the Pantheon.
Posted by
Australia
18 posts
I'm in Rome at the moment at a hotel within walking distance of the Termini and we walked past the Opera Rome today. Let me tell you, it's a huge convenience to be able to walk there and not have to worry about buses or taxis to get there, and it was a huge relief to walk back tonight after being on a train for 3hrs on the way back from Pompeii!!
We haven't been to the Panthenon yet, but just from my experience I would choose closer to termini
Posted by
Alta Loma, CA, USA
1446 posts
Hi Barbara. I would definitely stay in the Pantheon/Piazza Navona area over Termini. It's really central to a lot of things. We stayed in the same apartment building that Laurel talked about (Palazzo Olivia) & would definitely recommend it. The location was perfect! It was very close to everything we needed. We were in Rome for 5 days & never took a bus (with the exception of the open-top sight-seeing bus) or the metro. We only went to Termini when catching our train to leave Rome. I think the Pantheon/P. Navona areas are much nicer. It was nice to be able to walk out of our apartment each night & stroll through quaint streets with a gelato in hand. We also loved being close to Piazza Navona because it's very lively at night. Like Laurel, we walked upwards of probably 10 miles/day and enjoyed being in a central location. If you're interested in an apartment, you might have a look at Palazzo Olivia (http://www.palazzo-olivia.it/). It's within the price range of the 2 hotels that you mentioned & you get a lot more space than you would in a hotel. Have a wonderful trip.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1003 posts
Just want to echo the reassurance about the buses. I even took infamous 64 and had no problem. I think the metro is even more unnerving than the buses because it gets so packed. But they're both fine if you use your common sense. Stay in the best location, don't let buses scare you away. You get to meet locals on the buses, and I love that :)