HELP -- which area would you stay in Rome?

When I went, I stayed on Cavour, kind of in between your options 2 and 3 I guess. Personally I liked it, but felt it was a bit far from the really main historical stuff. So, with that said, I would say being closer to Piazza di Spagna would be better. I certainly didn't DISlike where I stayed, and my experience may be colored by the fact that it was at the end of 6 and a half weeks so every extra step i had to take was magnified LOL! As far as safety, I was 25 in Rome by myself, and while I didn't stay out late, I didn't feel unsafe anywhere I walked as late as say, 10pm. Rome is busy and is a bustling place at night - as long as you stay on main tourist avenues and take common sense precautions I wouldn't worry too much about any of those locations.
Sorry, that's a very long-winded way of saying my personal vote would be for option 5. I know if I were to go back to Rome I'd want to be closer to the Spagna/Navona/Pantheon area than I was on my first trip. But that's just me and my experience having been once. It's really a personal decision. As for being close to restaurants, I think you won't have a problem in Rome. But do keep in mind that areas around, say, the colosseum are very touristy unless you get up off the main streets. Same would go for most areas near any kind of tourist attraction in any city in Italy or Europe or anywhere else, really LOL. If you make the effort to get a few blocks away onto side streets you'll be spoiled for delicious choice of dining and shopping pretty much anywhere in the city. And public transport is so good that you can easily get wherever you need to go. Sorry, this was really rambly. I hope you can find something remotely helpful in it :)

Rebecca,

If your main criteria is to be "close to the train station", then staying in the Termini area would probably be the best idea. As I recall there are lots of restaurants choices in that area. I've never been in the "business district in NY" so not sure whether that's similar to the Termini area for shopping?

In my experience, the area around Termini is no more or less "safe" than any other part of Rome. I've walked around there at all hours of the day and night, and never felt "unsafe". Of course, within Termini station one has to be vigilant for pickpockets (be sure to wear a Money Belt!).

You might want to list the Hotels you're considering, as others here may be able to provide "feedback" on particular locations.

As you'll be visiting both Rome and Florence, I'd suggest packing along a copy of the Italy Guidebook as I've found that it's great for reference during trips.

Wow, thanks for the super-fast responses so far! Ok, these are the top contenders:

1. La Casa di Maurizio: http://www.lacasadimaurizio.it/USmainframe.html
   (in the Via Veneto area)

2. Enjoy B&B: http://www.enjoyromebb.com
   (between Vittorio Emanuele and Cavour metro stops)

3. Marlu B&B: http://www.bbmarlu.com/eng
   (half way between the Colosseum and Termini -- this is the cheapest option of the three!)

All three are very different places (in terms of styling & decor) but we're mostly trying to figure out which location would be more 'central' if we want to primarily get to all the sites in Rome by walking.

Rebecca,

For "central locations", the Termini area is about the best. There's good access to not only Metro but also Buses, Taxi's and the "Hop On/Hop Off" Bus tours.

There's also somewhat of a "Mall" on the floor below track level, with a variety of small stores including a Pharmacy and ATM machines. I hesitate to mention this, but Termini also has some of the usual fast food restaurants on the track level, should you get "homesick".

Cheers!

Rebecca - My number one choice in Rome would be The Hotel Forte - Only a few hundred yards from The Spanish Steps - Many Cafes and Restaurants in the immediate area, Walking distance to The Trevi Fountain, Via Veneto, Roman Forum, etc. The number one shopping street in Rome - Very Expensive but something to see - Via Condotti - and several Fantastic Gelato shops where you can grab a gelato and sit on The Steps and watch the people.
Emanuel and Emanuella are extremely helpful and pleasant and will make your stay enjoyable.
Nice thing about the location is you wan't need expensive cabs - the train station is a 5 minute cab ride but again - very close

Ciao, Greg

I like to stay near Termini, take the Metro to a distant stop such as Circus Maximus, then walk through Rome back to my hotel. This can easily take all day. Another day of walking might include taking the Metro to the Vatican area and walking to the Vatican, thru Trastevere, across the river and thru central Rome back to my hotel. Public transit in Rome is so crowded I avoid it whenever I can; one Metro trip a day is about all I can stand.

Check out Trastevere. It's a very authentic experience staying there and you really get a neighborhood atmosphere. There are tons on restaurants to choose from and a vivid nightlife. It is just across the Tiber from the Forum and Colosseum. It's quiet at night. I stay at the "Arco del Lauro". The areas near the Termini are really chaotic and noisy and not particularly the safest. You will like Trastevere.

If your goal is to be as close to as many sites in WALKING distance as possible, I think the one near the Spagna metro stop would be the best bet. It's walking distance to the stuff in that area, but it's also near the Spagna metro stop for easy access to the Colosseum/Forum/Vatican and Train Station. But I think as you are hopefully realizing from the responses you're getting, all of the places you're considering are more than fine.

I just booked a room in the Termini area. It's within walking distance of most things and I'm a few minute walk to the Termini station if I need to take the metro.

Hi...would choose Spanish Steps for location:Walkable, safe and close to food, shopping and tourist sites. Also, on metro line for further afield. Previous trip we tried Hotel Grifo off Cavour. Close to forum, etc. They have a great website and a sumptuous breakfast buffet included...also Silvia speaks perfect English and has lived in U.S. Very nice hotel and very helpful. Insist on a room in the back, however! Would stay there again in a heatbeat!!!

If you want to be in easy walking distance of the main sights I would suggest staying near Piazza Navona. We have stayed at the Hotel Navona several times and highly recommend it. It is about halfway between the Colisseum and the Vatican. Less than a five minute walk to Piazza Navona and to the Pantheon. Also very close to the Trastevere area and Campo de Fiore.

Rebecca,

As mentioned in a previous post, I'd also highly recommend the Trastevere area. However, I didn't suggest it as it's some distance from Termini and although there are lots of small restaurants, there's not much "shopping" in that area.

For stays in Trastevere, I'd recommend Casa san Guiseppe (not inexpensive but a great Hotel with wonderful staff).

Cheers!

Hi Rebecca, I second the vote for the Piazza Navona area. It is within walking distance of most of the sites and is very lively at night with tons of cafes and entertainment and people watching at Piazza Navona. And although not near Termini, it was only a 10 euro cab ride there on the day we left. While it might be nice to have a glass of wine on Piazza Navona, for less expensive meals, just go up any side street and you'll have plenty of more affordable choices.

Rebecca, we stayed in the Manzoni area our first trip to Rome.....just a few steps down from the Metro entrance. We really liked the area and would highly recommend it. Lots of small shops and restaurants and convenient to ATMs and taxi stands. Nice working class neighborhood that was very safe to walk in at night. About a 15 minute walk from the Coloseum.

As a frequent traveler in Italy, I prefer staying near Termini if I am using the trains as my main source of transportation. I've stayed at Hotel Massimo D'Azeglio on Via cavour and I have been very satisfied. This year we stayed at a b&b across the street from the Roma Opera house on Via Viminale 56 or 59 next to the Ristorante Amatriciana. The place was called Armonio All' Opera. The owner is a young guy named paolo who speaks English. The cost was 90 euro for 2 people. My girl friend and I were very satisfied. I found it on venere.com. Venere is the European version of Expedia or Travelocity. There were a number of restaurants and cafes in the area and you would be between Termini and Repubblica on Linea A of the Metro. Once you are several blocks from the train station the neighborhoods generally change for the better.

Buon viaggio,

RB