Hotel for 2 sisters visiting Rome

First, it will help if you define "reasonably priced" in either euros or dollars. After all, few people want to stay at an "unreasonably priced" hotel. :-)

Second, the star ratings in Italy don't refer to the quality of a hotel - only to the amenities offered. Things such as parking, an elevator and a 24-hour desk. There are some two star places that are much nicer than 3 or 4 star places.

Hotel Diana is where we stayed last year for 2 nights. Check it out. As Michael has explained, reasonable for one might be "too rich for the blood" of another.

I would recommend staying at the Hotel Aberdeen. RS tours use it so it may get booked quickly. I have stayed there twice and would stay there again. It has a buffet breakfast and the hotel is near the train station, but not directly near it. But easy enough walk to the hotel from the train station. It is also right around the corner from the metro which is great. It is very centrally located but it is reasonably priced, clean, good staff, great breakfast and near major churches, metro and safe area.

It is also quiet and you can walk to lots of places.

Where do you want to stay? Centrally located is hard to say in Rome. Do you want to be by the Spanish steps, by the Pantheon or somewhere else. I understand that you only have four days so you don't want to waste time. That is why I suggest this hotel as you are near a metro which will get you to a lot of places and it is also on a bus line which is used a lot in Rome. Buses are used alot. Staying near the Vatican is out of the way but you can take the metro to the Vatican.

have a great trip.

We stayed at Albergo del Senato this past September which is right next door to the Pantheon. The location was perfect and we loved the hotel. I believe it's probably a 4-star hotel although their rating system in Italy is different than ours. Not sure if you would consider it reasonably priced or not. To me, the nightly rate was high but it was a splurge and we're glad we stayed there. We loved sitting on our balcony & watching all the activity in the piazza around the Pantheon and when we walked out of the hotel, we were a stone's throw away from restaurants, gelaterias, a taxi stand, etc. Have a great trip.

I've been on numerous trips to Rome with girlfriends. My first question is: How old are you girls? Do you want to be in a quiet neighborhood (if you're older) or do you want some nightlife?

I highly recommend against any hotel near the train station, i.e., Aberdeen; because for two women alone, I plain don't like the neighborhood -- It's OK for a one night stay before an early morning flight, or even for a tour group when a bus is going to come and take you to a central location, but it's not close enough to the sites for a quick stop mid-day to do a clothing change, quick shower before dinner, etc; also a lack of fun places for dinner.

If you'll post your ages, and what you want to see, more specific advice can be given.

Here is another vote for Hotel Aberdeen. I stayed there this past september. The room was excellent, the staff was helpful making reservations for us and getting around town. I would stay there again.

I've seen a lot of people also mention the name Hotel Sonya on this board. Both are near termini station, easy transportation by bus or subway to anyplace in the city.

Hotel Contilia - near the main train station. I was able to walk everywhere from here , or hop the Metro, bus or train.

Staying near Termini is not the experience I would recommend. Convenient for the R.S. tours, but not a lot of ambiance IMHO. We like apartments wherever we go. Try VRBO.com and look for a place near Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, Campo dei Fiori. Others recommend Hotel Smeraldo near Campo dei Fiori, which I can confirm is a great location for evening strolls, access to restaurants, buses, tram to Trastevere.

If you are sisters why don't you look at convents in Rome?
I'm sure there are plenty with accommodations for two nuns.
Try here:

http://www.istituti-religiosi.org/case-accoglienza/case-per-ferie/lazio/roma/

Select English.

Oy, Roberto, if they are religious sisters they'll have connections through their religious community, but your sense of humor is becoming legendary!

I second Laurel's opinion to stay closer to the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, etc. That is the area I prefer over the train station. If it is in your budget (we found a good deal booking ahead) I recommend Albergo Abruzzi. It is very nice, right on the piazza where the Pantheon is located, and really central to many other attractions in Rome. Otherwise VRBO and Airbnb for apartments can be great - I booked an Airbnb in the same general area for this May.

Thanks so much for your responses. We are a very youthful 50 and 52. By reasonable, I mean under $200 a night. Centrally located means walking distance to many attractions. Thanks again!

Do you have the RS book for either Rome or Italy? It's loaded with lodging recommendations in your price range, along with tons of info about each neighborhood.

I am so in agreement with Donna and Laurel about the Termini area. Just don't like it. Much prefer to be closer to the Pantheon, Navona, Campo di Fiori area. I've rented this apartment twice and really like it. http://www.leisureinrome.com/en/campo_de_fiori/porta-apartment-campo-de-fiori.html In Rome a nice, very reasonably priced apartment can be less than a very mediocre hotel. This one's on the corner of the Campo di Fiori, a lively square where I feel perfectly safe coming and going even late at night. Don't think I'd feel that way late at night in the Termini neighborhood, and I'm not a fearful traveler.

Agreed that the Centro Storico area is a nicer area to stay, albeit more expensive (also closer to sights).

However there is nothing dangerous or to be fearful of, about staying closer to the station, which is generally cheaper and therefore more desirable to those who are budget conscious.

The area around the Viminale Palace/Opera Theater (just southwest of the Termini station) is very nice and safe. The Viminale Palace is the building hosting the Ministry of the Interior, which oversees all Law Enforcement and National Security agencies in Italy. Just a couple of blocks away is the Quirinale Palace, the residence of the President of Italy I don't think criminals and outlaws want to stay too close to that area, there are surveillance cameras and security forces at every corner around that area.