Hotel near Tremini station - Hotel Diana

I have not stayed here, but this thread jumped out at me as a travel agent recently recommended this exact hotel to a friend. Strange considering all the hotels in Rome! Wonder if they're giving agents an incentive or something- ha!

I have not stayed at this hotel, but I have stayed in this neighborhood around the corner at the Hotel Selene. I believe my hotel room may have looked out onto this street. (I never got oriented in that hotel!! lol) I felt comfortable in this neighborhood and also wound up staying in another hotel further down Via Viminale (the cross street at the end) at Hotel Sonya on a Rick Steves tour. I would stay in this area again.

There were a couple of restaurants on Via Viminale that have the touts out front trying to get you to eat there. We ignored them and found some good food elsewhere in the area.

Have been in and out of Rome five times and always stay in the area just south of Termini - Hotel Sonya and Contilla. The area is fine. It is more commercial with more activity but great access to local transit which is the main reason we stay there. And we have developed some favorite restaurants in the area. Actually we have never seen any pickpockets in the area but am sure there are some there somewhere.
PS - Describe your friend's concerns.

I know its not the fancy area of Rome but on our stays at the Hotel Sonya it was just fine for us. We went to the small basement supermarket down the street, which had the basics, for stocking up on real food prior to getting on the plane to return to the US. The transportation options were very helpful. Price was right, felt safe enough and there are, as another poster stated, options for restaurants. The train station felt fine to me but obviously, its best to be careful wherever you are.

I oriented myself with google street views prior to our arrival so that our walk from the train to the hotel felt "familiar" and indeed, it did when we got there! The confidence allowed me to just go and not get slowed down.

Hope you have a great trip!

I stayed at the Diana last year and it was fine. The area was perfectly OK and there are lots of small restaurants on the same street. There is a lovely rooftop terrace where you can have breakfast if you like. Breakfast is included and it very good, by the way. What does it matter if your TA gets a commission ? If you book through booking.com someone makes some money from your booking. You could always contact the hotel and reserve a room yourself.

Thanks all for the help.

Frank, I think our friend was just exaggerating, at least I hope so.
He said that there are many more pickpockets around the train station to prey upon new arrivals to the city and because of this it is a rough area of town. Not to go out at night, things like that
Just hope it's not any worse then any other touristy. We know not to flash cash around and protect bags and purses but he was trying to convince us to switch hotels

Thanks all for the help.

Frank, I think our friend was just exaggerating, at least I hope so.
He said that there are many more pickpockets around the train station to prey upon new arrivals to the city and because of this it is a rough area of town. Not to go out at night, things like that
Just hope it's not any worse then any other touristy. We know not to flash cash around and protect bags and purses but he was trying to convince us to switch hotels

Pickpockets and purse-snatchers work in crowds, and the vast train station is certainly crowded. Do not let anyone try to talk to you close to your face. Find a quiet alcove to consult your map, then walk briskly. Away from the station you will face only normal pedestrian foot traffic. The neighourhood has lots of useful small shops, hotels, and restaurants. Not grandly scenic, but certainly lively. Even at night, just look like you understand big-city safety and stay out of dark alleys.

We have stayed in that neighborhood and felt safe. We walked at night with a child, ate at small restaurants and enjoyed our stay and since we were taking multiple train trips, it was very convenient.

towen,

I tend to agree with Frank and the others. I've been in Rome numerous times and usually stay near Termini station as it's so convenient for transportation. I've never noticed any dodgy characters in the vicinity of the hotels, although I'm sure they're around. Hotel Diana is in the same general area as Hotel Sonya, and I've walked by there several times. I've walked around that area day and night (on both sides of Termini), carrying expensive camera gear and I've never been worried about safety. You'll find that there are lots of people in the streets at night, dining on the sidewalk patios, etc. (that seems to taper off after about midnight).

I'd also be interested to know what type of "concerns" your friend has.

You'll have to exercise more vigilance at Termini station of course. It's a very busy place, with lots of people coming and going and there will be scammers there (such as the "helpful individuals" that will offer to help you buy your train or metro tickets from the Kiosks - I usually tell them to "take a hike" as I don't need any help). There are regular foot patrols with pairs of police officers in the station so I'm sure it's quite safe except for petty theft.

If you haven't been to Rome before, you'll need to be aware of a few "caveats" concerning the trains or metro. For example, when riding the Bus, Metro or Regionale trains (including the Leonardo Express from the airport), you MUST validate your tickets prior to boarding the conveyance or face a huge fine which will be collected on the spot! There are other points to be aware of when riding the premium trains such as the Freccia high speed versions (again, huge fines).

I have stayed in Rome several times, as it is easy to fly into. I always have stayed within walking distance of Termini, ate in restaurants there, never had a problem. But, I am from South Florida, where crime runs rampant, so I might be a little more aware and cautious!

towen84! Hello! First, I'm going to recommend you go to the best website ever re Rome: roninrome.com It has more pictures, more info, more advice than you can imagine.

I've been to Rome about 10 times. I usually stay in the Vatican neighborhood (Prati) because I like it quiet at night after a long day of walking. Sometimes I travel with my girlfriends (all in our 60's) and we feel very safe there, and love many of the restaurants which mostly have locals dining, as opposed to the "touristy" restaurants with higher prices and a lower quality food. That's ME!

Once, because of an oversold flight, we ended up going back to Rome for another night (this time with the husband) and stayed near Termini because of convenience to get back to the airport the next day. Neither one of us liked it! Never felt like we were in any danger, but the locals were a bit "shabbier" than in other parts of the city, and unlike the previous poster, we had a heck of a hard time finding someplace we wanted to dine and enjoy our last meal in Italy! My husband likes the Trastevere neighborhood, and there's a younger vibe there. We also don't like to stay near Borghese -- it's mostly commercial there and it was hard to find a restaurant at night. DO take a look at Roninrome.com It's a fun and easy website.

So, different strokes for different folks! Ken and Frank are both very experienced -- but I don't enjoy this neighborhood like they do.