should we consider staying outside of Rome and commute in

we will be their late May early June 2010 I just ordered Ricks Rome book and the backdoor book.

I just found Rick's book with Rome hotels I saw one called Hotel Opera Rome ...I don't want to pay over 200 USD a night..I was so disappointed we wanted to stay at Hotel Santa Maria Di Paolo across the river..doesn't appear we will be able to it's to expensive Thanks..Carol

You can find accomodation for yourselves if you look hard enough and do enough research. However, if you're not into the "researching on your own" then maybe you should look for a travel agent.

You haven't even told us your budget or your dates so how can we possibly help you with no information from you?

You'll be fine. There are tons of places to stay in Rome that are under $200 US that are clean, with a bathroom and in a safe neighborhood. The RS book is loaded with them. (You don't say when you'll be there. That does influence the price.)

This past July we stayed at the b&b Armonio All' Opera across the street from the Rome Opera House on Via Viminale. It is new, comfortable, and the owner speaks English. I speak Italian, so this is not an important item for me. The cost was 90 euro per night which is about $130.00 per night with breakfast. I found it on venere.com, which is the European version of Expedia. it was about a 10-15 minute walk from Stazione Termini. We will stay there again next year.

Also, we spend a week in Ariccia in a great b&b called Il Melograno di Rita Bovi and commute into Roma using the metro. However, we do use a car to drive into the metro stop at Arco Traventino. [email protected] or 011+39+069331937

Buon viaggio,

RB

Carol: A place that has been mentioned on this board is "Anne's Place", a B&B outside of Rome, but easily accessible by train. Go to www.byanne.com. It looks very nice and a double room with breakfast is 80 euro, which I hope is within your budget. Next time We are in Rome we will stay there.

Rome is not cheap but New York isn't either. And I personally think it's easier to find something clean and central in Rome for under $200/night right in the historic city centre. I would definitely prefer a central location as pretty much everything will be in walking distance. For me, that is a big part of the attraction of a place like Rome. We actually ended up renting an appartment right next to the Forum Romanum. If you're interested in that option you could check out www.vrbo.com

Aside from a specific place to stay, I would recommend searching hard to find a place within Rome, rather than outside of Rome, that meets your budget. To me, one of the great pleasures of Rome is strolling, taking a late meal and enjoying the city at night, or early in the morning as you go to coffee. Staying outside of Rome will mean heading out to the outskirts earlier in the evening and getting there later in the morning, with possibly very little activity near where you are staying.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Research time!!!
Paul you make a point. Being in the city will make for a more pleasant experience..thanks again

When I traveled to Rome in 06 with my daughter, we had a package deal, and our hotel was several Metro stops outside of the old town. it wasn't a big deal. We were just a block or two from a Metro station. We paid our fare and went to the Colosseum stop each morning, then went from there.

We finished touring about 4-5, took the Metro back, and enjoyed the local flavor, away from the mass of tourists.

Our hotel was really nice, had a great breakfast, and there were a few places to eat dinner within a block or two.

Check Venere.com you can look at different neighborhoods, find a price range you want. Details on the site will tell you if there is a Metro stop close, the rates, star rating, etc. You can start to look and pick something that looks like it will meet your $$ needs. Have a wonderful time!

Carol, we were in Rome in mid-September and had found very reasonable lodging in the Trastevere area of Rome. Lodging costs less in non touristy areas. Check out venere.com for lodging with reasonable prices and for that site's reviews of lodging facilities.

I would suggest staying the last night before Rome in a town on the train line.Find a hotel or B&B that would allow you to park while you are in Rome.

If you are staying in Rome for more than a night or two it also might be worth looking into an apartment for rent. There are plenty of places for the less than $200 a night, you may also want to use venere.com to search since you can put in a price range as part of your search. Don't forget to look at B&Bs too.

Carol,

You have to look up in more places than RS books.
His suggestions are expensive.
Hotels.com or hotelreservation.com are good sites.

We've done it both ways...as Norma suggests, we stayed at Anne's Place in Palestrina (took the train each day); the next year, we stayed at Nicolas Inn (a B&B) near the Colosseum.

Anne's Place (www.byanne.com) is a wonderful B&B and a super deal, and Palestrina is lovely (and the restaurants are considerably cheaper and more authentic than Rome). Anne and her husband David will get you to and from the train station and even provide you with a phone so you can tell them when you'll be arriving back - it doesn't get any better than that. But the point was made - and it's a valid one - that by staying in Rome, you get to experience this beautiful city late at night which is special. I would suggest you look at the options within your price range and go from there.

Have you thought about staying at a convent? The rooms are not fancy but they provide a clean, safe place to stay at great rates. Any money you save by staying outside of Rome would probably we spent commuting in/out every day. It would be worth it to be in the Eternal City at night - the city takes on a different vibe after dinner.

Info on convents/religious housing:
http://www.santasusanna.org/comingToRome/convents.html

We just returned from Rome and had a good experience finding reasonable accommodations through B & B Association of Rome

We stayed near the Vatican but would probably pick a different location closer to the city center next time.

We stayed last month in a lovely B&B 10 minutes from the colosseum in what felt a very safe street. The door to the B&B was in the middle of an outdoor restaurant dining area, there were three other restaurants within 20m. Cost 58 euro/night for two.
We had to share a bathroom so maybe that is not for you.
But for a little more, I'm sure you can find somewhere in central rome that meets your needs.

We stayed at a convent this summer called Fraterna Domus. It is centrally located (about 3 minutes to Piazza Novena and about 20 minutes walk to the Vatican). The sisters were lovely. Here is the info if you would like.

Fraterna Domus
via Monte Brianzo, 62
00186 Roma

tel. 06 68 80 54 75
fax. 06 68 32 691
e-mail. [email protected]

Hi Carol - my family and I stayed at the convent Casa il Rosario which is walking distance to the Colosseum, Trajan Market, Forum, St. Peter in Chains, etc., which saves on transportation costs. One day we walked all the way up to the Via del Corso and to the Spanish Steps but took a cab home that night:) The convent was spotless, bathroom great, and the breakfast which was included was quite large so that will save on your food budget. I believe we paid about $120 for a triple and it also has free internet with a pc for you to use. It had a lovely rooftop garden as well and many places to eat nearby. You will be better off staying in Rome as transportation can add up. I hope that helps.

Just got back on Sunday. Get someplace centrally located. It's great to walk back to your hotel after a late meal and a viewing of Roma sights after dark. My sister and I (55 & 60) walked at all hours and never felt unsafe. We were about 2 blocks from the Colosseum. I won't give you the name as we splurged for Rome but I know you can find something in your price range.

I'm not sure what your objections to hostels are, but many of them have private rooms, they are inexpensive, and perfectly comfortable. In addition you get to meet lots of other travelers. Hostels are not just used by kids!
Try hostelworld.com or hostelbooker.com