ROME - best place/area to stay

Further to my post---I was recommended to stay at the Rome Centro San Pietro by the owners of Finestre sul Vaticano.

Has anyone stayed there?

Much appreciated...as I am a bit worried with places already booking up for next May/June.

"ROME - best place/area to stay" doesn't match up so well with "needs to be between 80-100 euros per night for a double with private bathroom". I don't think you could find a place that cheap in the best area of Memphis, much less in Rome.

If Finestre sul Vaticano fits that need, no wonder it's already booked! Hope someone can help you.

We have seen many that fit in that range, but want some recommended....we will pay up to 120Euros.

I think it would be hard to get 80-100 euro a night in the high season in what most people consider Rome's "best" area.

If you want to be near the Vatican, you could consider Hotel Alimandi. They have several properties, and it looks like their B&B would be about 110 euro a night in May for a double room. I stayed at the Hotel Alimandi Tunisi as part of a Rick Steves tour and thought the hotel was quite wonderful. The good reputation seems to carry across their various properties.

I don't have any experience with the alternative that Finestre suggested. However, when our B&B in Orvieto accidentally double-booked us, the hostess sent us over to a friend of hers who had an apartment to rent that I hadn't found before. It worked out perfectly, so moral of the story is I'd be inclined to trust recommendations from the owner of a highly-regarded B&B.

Thanks for the helpful info!

I'm not stuck on being right by the Vatican, as I'm up for any suggestions. I want to get as much out of Rome as possible.

Claire: "I want to get as much out of Rome as possible."

It's very helpful to know that since your post title says "ROME - best place/area to stay" to which very few people would have answered "as much out of Rome as possible."

The best place to stay, in my opinion, is downtown in the historic heart, where you can walk to the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, etc. any time you want. That's an expensive area, though, and even cheap hotels cost a little more than what you're willing to pay.

I really can't imagine why you would go to Rome and want to stay as much out of Rome as possible, other than to save money (nothing wrong with that!). I'm sure the farther out you get, the cheaper it will be, but you'll spend a lot more vacation time riding on subways and/or buses, or the expense of taxis to get to and from the things most people go to Rome to see.

Hotel Panda...right in the heart of Rome...just minutes from the Spanish steps, double bed with bath at less than 110 Euros.

http://www.hotelpanda.it/

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Review-g187791-d298628-Reviews-Hotel_Panda-Rome_Lazio.html

If you read the reviews you will see a lot of very satisfied customers interspersed with people who say the rooms are too small....I don't know much experience they have had with Roman hotels...but it's a lot like Venice, Paris or London...small rooms, high prices.

Thanks Bill, I appreciate your response. I am obviously not set on staying near the Vatican, which I why I was asking people for their help with recommendations--like yours! I will definitely check out that website.

We stayed at Hotel Giardino, a Rick Steves recommendation just a few minutes walk from the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain. My TripAdvisor review is HERE.

But of course neither this hotel or Hotel Panda fit with "I want to get as much out of Rome as possible." Indeed, they're quite the opposite.

I've also stayed at Hotel Giardino. Best location for walking everywhere,in my opinion. I'd stay there again.

I LOVE Trastevere, which is located just across the Tiber from the ancient sites. I always stay at the Arco del Lauro. It's a little more than what you want to spend though. I'm afraid that your budget will severely limit you as to availability, location, and amenities. Rome is not cheap! There is no equivalent to Motel 6 in all of Italy. You may have to stay well outside the city center, and if so, it will cost you dearly in time and money to get into the city center to do your sightseeing. You have to factor into your budget what it will cost you for transportation if you cannot walk to the "sights". It may be more cost effective to spend more on your accommodation so that you can spend less on transportation.

Having said this, here is a recommendation that is always a top choice on TripAdvisor.com. It is located in Palestrina which is waaaaaay outside of where you need to be.

Anne's Place Bed and Breakfast: http://www.byanne.com/

Cost: 80 Euro/night double, including breakfast.

Local transport - Palestrina town and Zagarolo Railway station, - free

Day trip into Rome (by train) incl Metro €6 (ca. 30 minutes to the Termini)

Airport transfers ca. €45 for Ciampino and ca. €75 for Fumicino one way

Claire,

I stayed in the Trastevere area on my last visit (Termini area before that) and I'd highly recommend www.casasangiuseppe.it/index.php if you want to try that area. It's a wonderful Hotel and the staff are fantastic! I just checked their rates and a double was listed at €120. Of course this rate may vary depending on what time of year you'll be there.

Happy travels!

take a look at nicolas inn B&B on via cavor. they have phenomenal reviews on trip advisor. one of the owners is from chicago USA and understands foreign travelers needs. never saw so many reviews on trip advisor and so many positives. they must be doing something right.

larry

Thanks everyone. Ken, I checked out the casa san giuseppe and it looks great! The area looks like a great location as well.

The Nicolas Inn also looks good, just a bit higher price.

I'm well aware now that Rome will be the most expensive place, so I've budgeted accordingly.

Much appreciated.

I just want to let everyone know that I found a great B&B in the perfect location for 99E a night, and is highly recommended on several websites and by many travellers. I will share details after my trip and let everyone know how we enjoyed it.

Thanks.

We stayed in June of this year at "Al Pantheon Con Thomas Mann B&B" in the heart of Rome, in the shadow of the Pantheon for under 90 euro a night. We were literally footsteps away from the Pantheon. This was our second trip to Rome. On our first trip we stayed at a B&B near Termini. But this time we were determined to stay in a more convenient area. The old section in the heart of the city is close to everything, Via Corso, Trevi, Piazza Navonna, Largo Argentina, Coliseum, the Forum, Vittorio Emmanuelle Monument all within walking distance. Be aware that Al Pantheon con Thomas Mann was nothing fancy, but it was clean, had an in-suite bathroom and the staff was very friendly & helpful (when they were there). The place is bare bones with no view. But step outside the front door and there is the magnificent Pantheon right there. Bello !!!

Check out the site for Hotel Alimandi. They also have a B&B, which we are scheduled to stay in at the beginning of November. we booked there instead of the hotel ebcause it is cheaper and we get breakfast for 90 Euros!

April
St. Marys, ON
CANADA

Uummm, Patrick? Claire did say, "I want to get as much out of Rome as possible." I think you misinterpreted this. She means she wants to make the most of her trip, not that she wants to be outside of Rome. (Proper procedure now is to thunk yourself on the head!)