Rome hotel

Unless you stay at the airport itself, for example at the Hilton, you are looking at a 45 minute ride into Rome. There is really nothing in between.

I'll vote with Ponygirl to just stay at the airport. There just isn't much at all for tourists between central Rome and Fiumicino, and by the time you get through immigration, you'll likely miss the last express train into Rome, not that you couldn't take a cab (takes longer) but still.... You'd also need to have booked an accommodation with 24/7 desk services; not all of them have that service.

In your potentially jet-lagged state, best to get to bed as quickly as possible and deal with the historic center the next day, when more awake.

You'd also need to have booked an accommodation with 24/7 desk services; not all of them have that service.

Kathy hit on a key point, that should not be overlooked

Personally, I'd get to Rome the night of your arrival, so that you can hit the ground running the next morning as opposed to having to make a hotel change immediately. Most 3 star and above hotels in Rome have 24/7 front desks. I know for certain my favorite, Hotel Smeraldo does! It's also worth considering that most hotels in Rome wont have your room ready until after noon, so even if you get there bright and early the next morning, you will have to leave your luggage with the front desk until your room is ready, potentially infringing on your plans for your your first glorious day in Rome.

The question is: what is your plan the night after your arrival (and maybe beyond)?

If your plan is to stay in Rome at a hotel one or more nights, then it makes no sense to stay at the airport Hilton for one night, and change hotels the next day to stay downtown Rome. Just bite the bullet, and take a taxi downtown to the hotel where you will stay the additional nights, that way you don’t need to change hotels, with all the time wasted check-in in and checking out. Besides the Hilton will not be that cheap as it costs at least $180 a night.

If the next night you plan to spend it somewhere other than Rome, then it might make sense to stay at the Airport Hilton and make your way to that next destination the next morning starting from the airport.

You may also want to consider the Hilton at the airport if your lodging is not available for late check in. For example if you stay at an Airbnb or if you stay at some smallish B&B, they may not be able to accommodate a late check in. But if you stay at a hotel anyway, it is likely they can check you in 24 hours a day. When you make reservations, check if they can accommodate late check ins. If yes, go there with a taxi even if it’s well past midnight. Taxi cabs at the airport work 24/7.

Thank you all for your help. We reserved a room at a hotel in Rome that has airport transport and is open 24/7. All your comments and thoughts were very helpful!!