Need Hotel Recommendation for Rome

Linda,

If you can find a copy of the Italy Guidebook at your local Library or book stores, there are good listings there for hotels in various parts of Rome. Website addresses and prices are also listed. You could also take the short drive to Edmonds and look at the Guidebooks in the free Library at ETBD (during business hours).

I normally prefer to stay in the vicinity of Termini station and two hotels that I've used in that area are Hotel Sonya and Hotel Aberdeen. Both are very comfortable, serve good breakfasts and have wonderful staff. The Termini area is not close to all the sights, but has good transportation available so it's easy to get just about anywhere in Rome via Bus, Metro or whatever.

You may find it helpful to have a look at the excellent Ron In Rome website.

Happy travels!

Tough finding something in Rome's centro storico for less tha €100, but I like Hotel Teatro Pace, a block from Piazza Navona. A double w/ bath and breakfast is under €200. Hotel Genio is across from the north entrance to Piazza Navona and is a little less expensive (has a great rooftop terrace adjoining the breakfast room). The RS books have other recommendations.

I am with Ken in that I stay in the Termini area at either the Aberdeen or the Sonya. Wife prefers Sonya because she believes the lattes are better. If they are, it is by a small margin. Termini area is on the edge of the sights, about 4 miles from the Vatican, but we can walk to everything in a matter of 15 to 20 minutes. Some great little restaurants in the area and super convenient for all transit.

Like Ken, I prefer to stay closer to Termini. I have stayed at Hotel Gambrinus (which I would recommend) and several hostels in that area (my favorite was the Freedom Traveller which does have private bathroom options). You get more for your money in that area and it is quieter at night.

Most of the big attractions in Rome are relatively close to one another with regards to walking. We always walk in the morning. The first thing you reach is the Colosseum which is about 10-15 min to give you an idea. From there, the Forum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish steps, Pantheon, etc, are a relatively short walk away. The farthest walk is the Vatican but it is still doable. If we don't feel like walking back in the evening, we take a cab or hop on the metro or a bus. And both metro lines and many of the buses end up at Termini eventually. Very convenient.

What time of year are you going? I am a Midwesterner so I always take heat into account. If you like to sleep with windows open (which may be necessary in months like May/October where it could be warm but the a/c won't be turned on, or if you are in a hotel without air conditioning), Campo di Fiori will be very loud into the wee hours of the morning. There are a lot of late night bars/clubs. But it is centrally located.

On most booking websites, you can search by a map view. You can use that to narrow down your selection and then look at reviews on websites like trip advisor or booking.com.

There will be neighborhood cafes and restaurants anywhere you stay. That is the beauty of Italy!

It's been a few years but we stayed at Hotel Forte near the Spanish Steps and loved it!

Last year our cruise package included two nights in a hotel in Rome and we were booked into the Hotel Diana. It turned out to be an excellent choice, not far from Termini, competent staff, nice room, buffet breakfast included and a pretty roof garden. Hope to stay there again this year. Check it out to see if you might like it, too.

Would definitely not stay near the Termini--very charmless area. Yes, Campo Fiori would be a good location. We will be in Rome in May and will stay again at Hotel Due Torri which is walking distance (short walk) to Pantheon, Navonna, and many great restaurants.

I agree with Susan in that I would not stay in the Termini area. It just lacks the charm that other areas have. I prefer to stay in the Piazza Navona, Pantheon or Campo de Fiori areas. We stayed near Piazza Navona on our first trip and loved it and then right next to the Pantheon on our last trip and loved it as well. We stayed at Albergo del Senato and splurged on a room with a view of the Pantheon and were very pleased. The location was perfect and we were easy walking distance to most everything. And, there was a taxi stand right outside the hotel for when we needed a taxi. I ventured out many mornings at 4-5am on my own in the dark (for photographic opportunities) and felt perfectly safe doing so whereas in the Termini area, I don't think I would have felt comfortable doing that. Have a great trip.

@Frank - Care to share the names of some of the restaurants that you like around the Termini area? Thanks!

We have stayed at the Smeraldo twice , near Campo, and walked everywhere. They have a dependency but the main building's rooftop view is lovely & good breakfast room in the basement. Take earplugs for a lower floor, we were across from the restaurant the first stay, when we wanted an early night we could hear the chitchat with the window open. Probably not a problem for 90% of the rooms.

Hey, fellow Seattleite. Since you're good walkers, you might consider this B&B in Trastevere near the Tiber: Villa Della Fonte. Some friends of friends stayed there recently and really loved it.
http://www.villafonte.com/

You can judge for yourself using Google Maps if it's close enough to the major sites. We've stayed in Trastevere twice and really enjoyed it.

We (two women) stayed at the Hotel Aberdeen last April and would highly recommend it. They offer discounts to Rick Steves readers on their website. This was our second visit to Rome and we stayed in the same area both times and always felt safe. We like the fact that it's close to the metro and within walking distance of the places we wanted to see. The staff at the Aberdeen were very friendly and helpful. They recommended a restaurant about 15 minutes away by foot--Ristorante La Pentolaccia. http://www.lapentolaccia.eu/ Very good food, service, and atmosphere. In my opinion it was much, much better than the RS recommended Da Giovanni, located in the same area.