Overnight hotel in Central Rome

I would suggest hotels in the area of Termini. Termini is on the edge of the tourist area and at most about a fifteen, twenty minute walk to all sites except the Vatican. Termini has the advantage of easy and quick access to the train to Civit.... the next day and easy access from the airport with nice restaurants in the area. We have used Hotels Aberdeen, Sonya, and Contilla in that area. My wife prefers Sonya since she thinks their lattes are better - small difference. Airbnb do not work well for one night stands. All the hotels will let you check in early IF the room is available.

You should define what you mean by a "slightly better price."

Thank you Frank,

Your recommendations are very helpful! I am leaning towards the Sonya hotel. The rates are better (lower for my dates) and I don't have to book two rooms as there is a quadruple available.

We have stayed at both the Hotel Smeraldo and Hotel Napoleon which is nearer Termini. Both were equally nice and we would stay at them again. If you are taking the train to Civitivecchia to catch your cruise ship you would be better off in the Termini area.

Others have recommended also booking your hotel for the night before to ensure that you will be able to check in early without the leave-the bags-and-walk-around-until-three delay. Extra expense, but might be worth it. (Haven't done it yet, but considering it.)

It rare for us not to have early access to our rooms so I think booking the room for the day before as a needless expensive. BUT - we are not traveling peak times either. We think Sonya is nice hotel across from the Opera House. Someone suggested that Sonya may have a second property in the same area that they may steer you towards. No experience with that.

Just to add a contrary opinion.
Termini area would not be my first / ideal location for a hotel choice.

It may be "centrally located" but makes every site a decent walk away and I don't like the immediate area as much.
Though it admittedly costs more I would first look into staying as close as possible to the main historic downtown area (Pantheon, Piazza Navona, etc...) then you have main sights just outside the door and still easy to walk to the Colosseum/Forum area sites.
In addition to lodging in this area probably costing more, do realize you likely will have increased travel expenses to reach the train station compared to Termini though.

I get why people do stay in Termini and feel it is best logistically and may provide the best value but it is in my view a compromise in location.

Checking in that early at a hotel is mostly luck so would not count on that; though with a hotel most all will hold your bags even if you can not check in so at least you could go out for a few hours until your room is ready. An Airbnb that is typically not an option.

mreynolds, are you able to steer me to a hotel closer to Pantheon and Piazza Navona? We don't mind being a little further from Termini. We just want to be walking distance to the main sights (Pantheon, Trevi, Piazza, Colosseum) as we really only have one afternoon and one morning. I did see a post where someone was not happy with the Sonya sending them to the sister hotel. Otherwise, reviews were good. I still like the Sonya but want to check other options as well.

These two have excellent locations and are in your price range. First is in the hotel anex.
Second has a rooftop terrace.

http://www.booking.com/Share-u3xuwL

http://www.booking.com/Share-s2mW7iU

Have also stayed here near Termini.

http://www.booking.com/Share-0JF7qv

I always recommend 95 Rooms in Rome in the Monti area, where I stayed for five nights in late October 2016. Great location and nice accommodations at a reasonable price.

Soraya:

If you're looking for a hotel in Rome that's convenient to various key sights, you might want to consider Hotel Portoghesi, which is a few hundred yards from Piazza Navona and yet tucked into a very quiet street. Via Coronari, which is lined with wonderful antique shops, is very close by.

https://www.hotelportoghesiroma.it/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-rXW9_-j3QIVFQOGCh1rdAR7EAAYASAAEgJy3_D_BwE

I've stayed at this hotel several times and found it met all my needs for quality, cost, and convenience. I've walked from the hotel to the Vatican, the Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo, the Pantheon, and Campo de Fiori. (Yes, some walks are longer than others, but I've done them in my late fifties with no problem. If my travel plans work out in 2019, I'll go to Hotel Portoghesi again, and I'm now sixty-six.) The hotel is not close to the Trevi Fountain (the tourist crush there is ridiculous) or the Colosseum, and I think you're going to be hardpressed to find a suitable hotel that's near everything you might want to see.