Deciding on a hotel

You're going to pay a premium for any hotel that can claim to be near the Spanish Steps.

I just glanced at the Trip Advisor review of the Hotel Des Artistes, and it sounds fine. I would stay there, especially at half the price. Yes, some train station areas can have a reputation as being "seedy," but that also may vary a lot by the block. I'd pay more attention to reviews of the hotel that mention the area. For exploring, it sounds like this hotel isn't too badly located.

The other hotel (didn't read the reviews) may be in a nicer area. It's really up to you whether you want to spend a little more for a more quaint location.

I checked Google map and Des Artistes appears to be around 5 blocks NE of Termini, and near wide open spaces with a large library next door just east of the hotel. I've lodged in that area and it's actually very quiet, not many tourists there because most tourists lodge west of Termini, or immediately east of Termini on the Via Marsala side which tends to be noisy till 11 pm, picking up again at 4 am.

I've lodged 8 blocks NE of Termini, and it's quiet, open, and kinda lonely, it's the Other Rome I call it. But 5 blocks out should be just right.

For what it's worth, I have stayed at the Hotel San Carlo, and liked it a lot. Nice but still quaint, with a lovely rooftop terrace where the (delicious) breakfast is served. It is a couple blocks away from the Spanish Steps, and the streets around there are charming. There are a lot of high-end stores, but also cuter boutiques, and restaurants with seating spilling out into the streets. I liked the area a lot. I have stayed near Termini, but nothing about the area stands out in my mind (albeit that was eight years ago).

As we've gotten older, we've come to value staying at a place where we can take a mid-day break to rest. That said, I might try to find a different place that's easier on your budget, but still charming. There's no shortage of those in Rome. Go to booking.com to see what's available for your dates, preferably within a 1/2 mile from the Pantheon which is the epicenter of the historic district.

I would agree with others that being close to the Centro Storico is ideal especially in hot weather...the less public transport the better, the extra money can be made up along the way with less of a splurge for dinners etc...or tightening the belt at home a bit when you return.

The idea of being able to pop back to the hotel at any time is wonderful and btw public transport in Rome is not what you want to take every day...if you are in Centro Storico 80% of what tourists want to see is within a 5-15 minute walk of the other.

Taking the metro in Oct. was hot and wretched..and I live in NYC!

I stayed 5 minutes from Piazza Navona and had coffee every mid morning at Sant Eustachio...near the Pantheon...priceless!

Enjoy!

Ten years ago, stayed by Termini. We were budget conscious and had no problems. Read reviews of the places and if they're close, Termini it is. If there's a star differential, figure the value of the faults and the benefits and make a value decision.

I'd stay by the train station, but I'm a big city boy my whole life.

I've just pulled up the location of Hotel Des Artistes and it's not right ON Termini station at all. As Sandra and Andrew said, a couple of blocks can make a difference, and we didn't have any issues taking the metro in Rome. It's certainly no worse than than similar transit systems in other big cities we've used.

Based on pictures and reviews for both on booking.com (my fave booking site) and Trip Advisor, I'd go for Hotel Des Artistes if budget is a factor. I'm seeing few complaints about the location - most are very positive - and other nitpicks people have had are small enough not to be considerations. Lots of positive comments about the cleanliness.

One caution? It looks like one floor the hotel is a hostel so be SURE you're booking Hotel Des Artistes and not Des Artistes Hostel: click on "Our Hotels" for the list of Hotel Des Artistes' sister properties.

http://www.hoteldesartistes.com

Just a pet peeve, I know I will be reported, but I really disapprove of the practice of booking duplicate hotels or overlapping hotels and then cancelling at a later date as you decide what you really want to do. It is rude and unfair to the owners, they could book that room for a real traveler, and it is unfair to other travelers who are trying to book rooms (I wonder how many "false" bookings are in Vernazza right now). I know it is a tactic in a "me" first society, but I just can't see it as a recommended travel tip.

Paul I understand your concerns about double-booking, but really, people are making a reservation on a different continent, usually in a place they have never been before. It is not only challenging to commit but scary. And rooms disappear fast. If the hotelier was not willing to deal with cancellations, they would have a stricter policy. This is one reason I do not use AirBnB: strict cancellation policies. And I am increasingly reluctant with VRBO for the same reason. Booking.com does the traveler a great service.

Hotel Des Artistes is in a relatively quiet area, but it is not terribly convenient for returning to midday if you desire a rest, which is IMO essential in July in Rome. (Although you can always take a taxi. They are cheap in Rome.) Ditto the Spanish Steps. Not all that convenient, IMO.

Try the Piazza Navona/Campo de' Fiori/Pantheon neighborhood. You'll find yourselves passing through there all the time in your touring.

I guess in general, whether making a reservation in the next state or continent, you are dealing with the unknown. Yes, I suppose if a Hotel owner is kind enough to offer a liberal cancellation policy, they are inviting being taken advantage of, but I like to think they do so as a service to the traveler with legitimate changes to their itinerary. As for Hotel rooms going quick; if those travelers are making up their minds and committing, then more power to them. I do think that many places will change their policy if they see a trend, that is one reason why many places refuse to take bookings well ahead unless they know the person, or just not respond to an email inquiry. I must be in the minority that any dealings with another person (businesses included) requires a modicum of honesty and respect; if for good cause I need to bow out, that's fine, but to plan to renege on one of my options at my will, I just find sleazy.

I never double-book, but I can understand holding two reservations for a very short time if the city fills fast. Of course one reason it seems to fill fast is because people do multiple bookings.

I use booking.com a lot, and there are usually cancellable and non-cancellation prices (this has increased over the past few years, probably as the hotel owners' way of dealing with cancellations for double-booked hotels).

Stefanie, try looking in the Monti area, close to the Colosseo. Roma has lots of places in all price ranges.

Thank you all for the replies.

Paul - thank you for your perspective as well. My intent was never to be "sleazy". Since this is our first trip overseas and a surprise, the planning is landing all on me and I saw this as a way to perhaps have multiple options to look over while I decide. I will keep this conversation in mind if we are so lucky to be able to travel again.

Thanks for all of the advice! Much appreciated.

When I stay in a place for a few days, like what you are doing, location is more important than cost. With just three days you want to be close to all the action, so you can walk and really feel the city, not stuck on the outskirts taking time to trek into the main area. I would choose the Spanish Steps area for the convenience and the ability to pop back into the hotel mid day. This really made a difference on our last trip. We are usually up early and go go go all day, usually in bed by 8:30 and at it again the next day. This last trip we got up a bit later, did a few things in the morning, had lunch, walked around, went back to the lodgings for a nap and then explored at night...what a totally different experience! The city at night was so beautiful and we ate dinner around 9 and went to bed at 11:30 most night (plus it stays light till around 9:00 in the spring/summer). Since your going in the summer you really want to take advantage of the long days and warm summer nights. Just make sure whichever you choose you have A/C.

Here is my 0.02. If you want to save money, I am sure the cheaper hotel will be perfectly fine. In fact, we stayed near that area last month (Via Palestro) and enjoyed the easy walk to a really great restaurant (Refugio Romano) and a FANTASTIC gelato shop (La Romana) that we visited every day. And it's not far from the Borghese gallery (which I highly recommend-make reservations early). We also found the buses and metro very easy to use to get to more central locations when we got too tired to walk. That being said, someday I want to stay near Piazza Navona or the Pantheon bc I love walking around that area at night. I think either way you will be fine, but you definitely pay for proximity to popular places. Have fun!!

I have ALWAYS stayed in dirt-cheap places in the Termini Train Station vicinity. Unless you are one of the privileged few, you will not find it "dirty" or disgusting. Like you said, you just need a safe, clean place to sleep and leave your luggage. The last time I went to Rome in Feb. 2011, I used a booking site called VENERE.com that is now HOTELS.com. I found a pensione a short walk from the station going towards the Colosseum for $40 a night! Granted, it was awhile ago and off season but I had a fantastic, memorable week! Keeping an open mind helps keep the adventure alive!

There is also the option to rent a room in a convent in Rome. They are likely quite affordable and basic (and definitely quiet), but that could be perfect for your needs. The only issue I could think of may be following the curfew hours (if any).