Looking for hotel in Rome, centrally-located, neighborhood with cafes, safe traveling alone

You might check Booking.com for reviews of those places. They will be done by people who actually stayed in them.

My Rome go-to hotel is always Hotel Napoleon with the metro entrance literally at the front door of the hotel. It's an older family-run establishment and they take extraordinary care of their guests. I've stayed there several times, and they bend over backwards to meet whatever needs you may have.

We stayed at Albergo Santa Chiara. It is in a historic area, a few yards from the Pantheon.

I stay at Hotel Fori Imperiali Cavalieri, near the Colosseum. I also travel solo. It's a family-run hotel.

I also usually am a solo traveler. Check out the reviews on trip advisor. Cafes are everywhere so that is never a worry. Be attentive and smart and you should be fine. I'm an early morning runner and have explored a lot of Rome with no problems. There always seems to be plenty of people out in the evenings/night.

Don't know what your budget is, but here is a place you should check out. We have stayed at Hotel Fontanella Borghese many times and have always been pleased. While it is not "luxury", it is very nice and the location is great. The staff is very friendly and helpful. You can walk to Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Nuvona, even Vatican city. They also have a sister hotel closer to the Pantheon called Hotel Due Torri. We always send an email directly with our request for a booking and we get an answer back in 24 hours or less. Ask for a room overlooking the courtyard as rooms overlooking the side street can get noisy. The web site is www.fontanellaborghese.com. Check it out and see what you think. We've spent quite a bit of time in Rome so let me know if you need specific info.

IMHO the Colosseum is out of the way. Without a budget given I can recommend where I stayed last October. Hotel Adriano in the historic center, 5 minutes walk to Piazza Navona, 8-12 to Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Spanish Steps...15 or so to Trastevere.

Great front desk, English well spoken. Clean, quiet, great breakfast and staff serving. Many common seating areas in lobby including the Gin bar with happy hour snacks. Courtesy umbrellas etc. I stayed in a classic room in a rear facing courtyard.

Clientele 30's and up International Brits, Nordics, Italians, Americans.

keeping in mind that Rome walking is hard on the feet, body in general so do map searches when picking a hotel. Many people write that hotels are within walking distance of sights but they are willing to walk 1/2 hour, are you?

We have stayed at the Hotel Portoghesi (which I think you meant) 3 times. We really love it, the taff has been fabulous, the rooms are clean, the breakfast is on the roof and terrific and you simply can not beat the location.

We have stayed at Hotel Portoghesi, too. Loved it! We enjoyed our breakfast on the rooftop terrace every morning. Our room was very comfortable. The hotel has a small lift, too. The gentlemen at the front desk were helpful in arranging our taxi upon departure. We are heading to Rome again this summer...but with a larger group so we are going with an Airbnb this time.

I find the area around the Vatican to be pretty boring in the evening, so I would suggest your two other options as being better locations for what you're seeking.

We stayed here a few years ago: http://www.residenzacanali.com/?lang=en

Super nice people and a great location that was walkable to almost everything.

If you can stay in the piazza where the Pantheon is, I personally think that is the best location.
The Piazza Navona is very close so works well also.

There are definitely less expensive areas and logistically better areas for arrival and departure but it meets your requirements of being perfectly located to see the sites, very safe and nearby cafes.

I would eliminate right away any Vatican options, regardless of how nice the hotel might be that location is convenient for one thing only (seeing the Vatican)

I always try to stay near the Main Train Station - There are several small (budget) hotels I have stayed in that are only a block or 2 from the station, metro, and buses.
Hotel Contila, Hotel Sonya, Beehive to name a couple.
As a solo traveler I have never hesitated to walk in that area at night - I don't linger and look in windows.....just go to my destination.
From the station you can get a train, the metro, taxis, buses....
and I walked to the colosseum/forum/palatine hill area.

I've traveled solo to Rome twice. The first time I stayed at Hotel Aberdeen in the Termini neighborhood. Rooms are basic but clean and comfortable, rates are good, and the staff is very kind and helpful, but I didn't like walking around the neighborhood after dark. I don't think it was really unsafe, I just didn't feel comfortable with it. I stayed at Hotel Albergo Santa Chiara, near the Pantheon, for my second trip. It's more expensive than Aberdeen, but the staff are equally welcoming and helpful, and I loved the location in the heart of that neighborhood, just steps away from great cappuccino and restaurants, and a reasonable walk to many different sights and neighborhoods, like Trastevere. I felt comfortable going out by myself after dark for dinner and walking back afterwards; there are more people out and about at that time in that area, and there are lots of dining options close by. I loved traveling to Rome solo and hope that you have a wonderful time too!

You all are amazing, thanks so much for the suggestions and detailed feedback, really appreciate it! In particular going out at night and ease of location. Great suggestions and will check them out. Happy July 4th!