Proximity of Hotel to Colosseum and Hotel recommendation

Karen, as you're in Rome for so little time, I would stay close to Termini for quickest/easiest arrival to a hotel from the airport, and quickest/easiest departure in the morning, assuming your train to Naples leaves from Termini as well. You can easily hop the Metro B line to/from Colosseum (Colosseo stop) at the Termini metro station.

Search booking.com for availability/desired rates and amenities, and zero in on the Termini/Central Station area on the map. We've stayed within several blocks southwest of the station - roughly the Repubblica neighborhood - and found it to be a convenient location.

https://www.booking.com/searchresults.en-gb.html?aid=356980;label=gog235jc-city-en-it-rome-unspec-us_mn-com-L%3Aen-O%3AosSx-B%3Asafari-N%3AXX-S%3Abo-U%3Ac-H%3As;sid=57d5999f0a1f2326eb73bf677482be69;district=2103

I agree with Kathy, Termini to Colosseum by metro is only a few stops. If you really want a hotel near the Colosseo, I like Hotel Fori Imperiali Cavalieri. Perhaps not light and bright enough for you; but you're sleeping there one night. You can take a taxi from Termini or bus #75 from Piazza del Cinquecento. It's on a small street, so ask for directions.

All in all, easier to stay near Termini and take the metro.

Or you could walk from your hotel near Termini to the colosseum. After a long flight, it will feel good to stretch your legs. Rome is actually pretty walkable. Just be alert -- drivers (especially scooters) tend to cut corners.

Absolutely. We've walked all over Rome and it's a great activity for keeping the eyes open after a long flight!
From the Termini area, you could head straight down Via Cavour and over to the Colosseum on Via dei Fori Imperiali: very straightforward and lots to look at along the way.

Black Rooms Colosseo just up road from Colosseo. Stayed there because marathon starts and finishes there. Easy to get to.

For our one night hits in Rome, we use the Hotel Contilla. Breakfast is so/so. Just one block south of Termini out the side door. You can easily walk to the Colosseum. Remember you do need to ticket just to get on the grounds around the Colosseum. Hotel Sonya is a couple of blocks further away but has terrific breakfasts.

ty so much for all of your thoughtful responses!

We stayed at the Hotel Forty Seven. A 15 minute walk to everything including the Colosseum. A 15 minute walk over the Tiber river to the Trastevere area for dinner. 10 minutes to Campo de Fiori. Excellent hotel