Rome Accommodation for 1st time visitor

Gail, is your budget $250 Canadian for each of you or total?

Unfortunately it’s about $300 per ngt.

In total I meant to say.

You could look at booking.com and narrow your search by twin beds, elevator. The Monti area is not far from the train station and can be a bit more affordable. Depending on dates you are going, the nightly rate will vary. $300 Cdn would be about €200 which may limit your options. There are some nice restaurants in the Monti area too.

Colonna Palace Hotel - I stayed in this hotel in 2021, it has an elevator, is centrally located and is probably within your budget. It’s not close to the train station but it’s about 3 or 4 blocks from a bus stop with frequent buses to the train station. I usually stay in 3 or 4 star hotels and I’ve noticed that in these hotels the “queen” beds are usually two single beds put together so I don’t think getting two beds will be that difficult.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/DrzUWXoLDYHDsREJ9?g_st=ic

How about monasterystays.com? You will have basic accommodations that are affordable. Should have no trouble finding a room with two beds. You may also be able to afford two separate rooms. Need for an elevator may be an issue. I have only stayed at a monastery in Venice and the place had an elevator.

https://www.monasterystays.com/?d=Italy/Lazio/Rome-accommodation

Stay in a convent/monastery ! My wife and I wouldn’t think of staying anywhere else. And 2 beds is the norm. check www.monasterystays.com

Gail, you might take a look at a private room at Beehive? Yes, it's a hostel but it's been highly rated for years and is an easy walk from the train station. It's VERY popular so might be booked up but at least take a look? Nope, a great hostel isn't just for the young folks anymore, and the communal kitchen is a nice bonus! :O)

https://www.the-beehive.com
https://www.the-beehive.com/dorms-rooms (scroll down to private rooms with ensuite baths). Those rooms offer either queen bed or two singles.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187791-d263860-Reviews-The_Beehive-Rome_Lazio.html

I have two monastery stays booked for September in Rome and Florence. My experience last year in Salzburg was great; clean, comfortable, quiet room. Instead of booking through monasterystays.com, I recommend booking directly with the monastery. In doing so I got better cancellation policies and in Florence a better rate for four nights.

In Rome I am staying at https://www.romacasaperferie.it/ Book through the website contact link. Location is central, next to Largo Argentina. There are twin bed rooms besides singles and multi-beds and all are very affordable. According to Monastery Stays, there is an elevator. Here's a list of their amenities https://www.monasterystays.com/?d=Italy/Lazio/Rome/Navona-Pantheon/LAR254-accommodation

Hi Everyone -
Thank you for taking the time to reply. Couple things - this is my first visit to Rome, but not first visit to Italy. My question is for a 1st time visit to Rome, what area is best?

As mentioned, I've already booked a place near the Termini - http://www.lacasadiamy.com/ I did use street view & it looks OK on the block where it's located but the next block looks sketchy. The room has 2 beds with a mini fridge, a/c & elevator. But, now my travel companion feels she'd rather have a place with a kitchen so the hunt continues.
I did look at a couple Monestery stays - one near the Pantheon that seems quite nice but of course, no kitchen. There is no availability for 6 ngts in Sept in a double room at the Bee Hostel. I've checked the usual sites with filters on beds, elevators, a/c, etc, but again, I'm stumped on location. I've found an Air BnB in Aquilino but not sure on that area - it has great reviews, but somewhere, sometime, I read Aquilino as being sketchy. With this further info, if anyone has further suggestions, thank you in advance.

My question is for a 1st time visit to Rome, what area is best?

The area between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona,

I like Marco's definitive reply. My advice is dig into Roman rione research and make your choice based on the concept no one location is going to be A number one perfect 24/7. I too use street view to google wander and get a sense of an area immediately around my accommodation. Even for as long as 6 nights, I more appreciate and prefer the comforts of a hotel with colazione, daily cleaning and a dedicated staff than Airbnb stays. I have stayed in Parione (Piazza Navona), Prati (next to Vatican City), Esquilino (Termini Sta) and wish I had the € for certain Castro Pretorio spots (Piazza della Repubblica). Hope your first time in the Eternal City is certainly not your last!