I need help finding a good location for a hotel in Rome in November

My husband and I stayed at The Beehive, two blocks from the train station. It was nice to just get into Rome and no have to worry about getting a taxi or bus to get to the B&B. It has individual rooms as well as a room with several bunkbeds. They have a small restaurant in the basement for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It worked well for us to walk everywhere even though we were near the termini. The main bus system is at the termini too if you want to sightsee. It isn't fancy but the workers were all pleasant and it is clean. They have shared bathrooms. Check out their website. We did not feel it was dirty at all or noisy. There are quite a few restaurants in the area also.

Sally: Check out the Nicolas Inn, a B&B on Via Cavour (www.nicolasinn.com). 5 min. walk to Colosseum and Forum, a brisk 15 min. walk to Termini. Great hosts (American woman and English-speaking Italian husband who are extremely hospitable), comfortable rooms, fantastic location, and very reasonable. We'd stay there again in a heartbeat.

Hi Sally--You've asked for opinions, so, understanding there is no right or wrong only preferences, I prefer being near the old city center. Staying in an area like Piazza Navona or Campo dei Fiori feels more atmospheric and is definitely convenient for walking to all the sites; that's why those hotels are more expensive. We did take more cabs and do less walking when we stayed near Termini, but the area did not feel unsafe, just more urban. If my budget allowed, I'd stay closer to the old center, but if I were trying to economize, staying near Termini would be a good choice, too. Either way, you're in Rome!

Consider the Trastevere as well. We enjoyed our stay at the Hotel Trastevere, plenty of good restaurants nearby and an easy walk to central Rome.

I would also recommend staying in the historical center of Rome. We stayed at Hotel Smeraldo, near Campo dei Fiori, and we loved it.

As Eliz stated, It is personal preference. Keep in mind that ancient Rome is pretty compact since walking was the way to go 2000 years ago. We always stay in the Termini area (4 times) for the convenience to getting to and from the train station on foot. We can walk from the Termini area to the Vatican in about an hour and every thing else is closer. Second the hub of Rome's transportation system is at Termini so other day trips are easier. Third, some very good, nearly local restaurants in the area. The area is kind of seedy looking -- but I think a lot of Europe is seedy location. Lots of people and activities on the street so we have never felt unsafe. We have stayed in the Aberdeen, Sonya, and Contilia. We prefer the Sonya 'cause we think the breakfast is a touch better. The Aberdeen is half mile from the station and is not in the immediate Termini as the other two. Sonya is about three blocks aways and the Contilia is block away out the side door of the station. The Contilia is back up when we cannot get into one of the other two. All three stars, clean and quiet. There is no BEST neighborhood -- only what you like.

I learned to be flexible in choosing accommodations. The most convenient part of town is not always the best part of town. One usually has to take some negatives with any choice to be near what you want to see.

After 20 years of wrestling with this problem I have found that I prefer to stay out from the center and either walk or ride the trolley or bus. (except Athens mentioned below)

To achieve a reasonable price you have to suffer inconvenience of one kind or another. You make your choice. Mine may be different. Research all you can about rooms on the internet.

Do as many google searches as subject you can think of. Such as Rooms in Rome. Accommodations in Rome. Apartments in Rome. Hotels in Rome.

I learned in Athens last year that the hostel I chose was not the best, but the room rate and location were perfect and the restaurant was good enough to eat all our meals there.

Be flexible and you will enjoy your stay.

Evenings in Rome are lovely and I feel you might miss so much of the ambience by not staying near the historic center. I find Spanish Steps very over-rated. We tried the Aberdeen this trip (by Termini) as we only had two days and it was fine but a long walk to the Pantheon and the buses are rather daunting to me. Walking is fun as you discover so much but the walk from the Pantheon to Aberdeen was exhausting after a late dinner and a day of sightseeing. We enjoyed Hotel Campo de Fiori (2008)in the historic center and they're very responsive to emails. They have lovely views from the roof terrace, quiet rooms with great bathrooms, fair prices for Rome and a professional helpful desk.

I agree with Frank.I like being north of the train station a short distance.Its a easy walk with luggage from the station and within walking distance to everything, with the Vatican being the farthest at 1 hour.

We liked Hotel Parlemento--last November we got a room for 105 euros per night. The location is great--just off Via Corso and walking distance to Campo Fiori, Spanish Steps, etc. Room was quiet and clean--nothing fancy but suited us just fine. Nice staff also.

I stayed at the Hotel Teatro Pace, located right off the piaza navona. Walk to everything! Vatican, Pantheon, spanish steps. What was nice about this location was that it was quiet, there was no street traffic, or cars. Rome is such a congested city, it was so nice to be on a quite side street, with tons of great small places to eat. The hotel was so nice but not to expensive, and the breakfast was amazing! The train station area is congested, and full of traffic, not my idea of romantic Rome. http://www.hotelteatropace.com/

If you are planning on taking alot of day trips from Rome, staying near the termini would be okay. But if you are planning on staying in Rome, the historical center is the way to go. We always stay in the historical center, usually near Piazza Navona and can walk anywhere. We only have to get in a taxi on our way in from the termini and then on our way out of the city. The Trastevere area is also convenient to most of the sights.

We have only ever stayed near Termini (hotel) and Campo de Fiori (apartment). Both were fine although Campo de Fiori a lot closer to everything obviously. We walked pretty much everywhere from Termini but being that little bit further we tended to stay out all day. We would happily stay near Termini again. Trastavere is also a good suggestion as you are only a short (and lovely) walk across to the main sites.

I recently had to make this same decision for an upcoming trip for four. Having been to Rome before, I knew that as long as we were near a Metro stop, we would be fine. My sister had stayed near the Circus Maximus stop on a previous trip and really liked the area. So, we booked an apartment near that metro stop. This was mainly an economic decision. (We are traveling for over four weeks and need to stay on a budget) We plan on purchasing a Roma Pass that includes unlimited transportation on the metro for the three days we are there. I chose this area over the train station area (another reasonable choice) after several people had commented to me about how noisy some streets could be in the train area. The up side to staying where we are is that it is a quieter, residential area, but has good restaurants and services close by. (this area is far less touristy, and several people, including my sister, have said that the prices in restaurants, etc. were "local" prices not "toursity" prices.) It is always fun to stay right in the "heart" of the action, but you usually pay for that "fun". It is easy to get around in Rome and everything is pretty close no matter where you stay. (Another area I found reasonable apartments is the Prati area over by the Vatican-An apartment over there was my second choice. It was also within easy walking distance to the Metro. We chose the other apartment because of my sister's previous experience and fondness for the area we are staying in.) Buena Fortuna!!

Hi Sally - In June, we stayed at the Casa Di' Santa Brigida on the Piazza Farnese which is near the Campo di' Fiore - a lively, vibrant square that has a daily farmer's market and entertaining evenings. It was beyond our expectations. It's a convent for the Sisters of Saint Bridget. Immaculately clean, very peaceful and comfortable. Beautifully, but simply furnished. Marble and wrought iron. Large private bath (which is important to us - we like our privacy at the end of a long day of sightseeing or preparing for the day ahead); charming rooftop terrace for a glass of wine before going out to dinner. Also, it is centrally located making it easy to go on foot all over Rome, or by bus from Largo Argentina. Admittedly expensive (isn't most of Rome??) but worth every euro!

Hi "Sally

My daughter and I stayed at the hotel Oceania close to Termini. our last day we walked the loop from the hotel to Piazza de Argentino (4th century bc ruins that are also a cat sanctuary)Pantheon, Piazza de Navona, Spanish steps, and Trevi in about 3 hours with lots of stops and pictures. It is also close to a metro stop which will get you anywhere else you need. Great staff there, the best in all the places we stayed. Any of the sites listed above were 20 minutes or so walking. Good local restaurants and not as many tourists

Hi Sally

Linda was on to an idea I've had about staying in a monastery as they are safe and secure and from this website I've found, pretty central. Have a look at www.monasterystays.com. They are obviously not 5 star, though one in the Vatican looked pretty up market, but they seem to be value for money. Just depends what you want so I'd recommend checking it out.