My wife and I will be in Rome next month and we will be staying, for the first time, at Smeraldo. We need to be at Termini for an 8 o'clock train on our last morning and I asked in an email what time breakfast is served, but they did not answer that question. So, for those Smeraldo fans here, do you know when breakfast starts? It would be Thursday. The other question I had, which they also didn't answer, is about getting there from Termini. They say on the website to use the 64/40. I would assume that the best stop would be Largo Argentina, but I don't know. Is that the stop you would use? Or is it really close enough to Termini to walk? We only have a small bag between us. We have previously stayed around Barberini so the Campo dei Fiori area is new to us. Thanks...
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
Nigel, I'm not sure I'd walk from Roma Termini to Hotel Smeraldo. You're correct. Perhaps the 40 or 64 bus may be the best fit. Or you can ride the 70 bus from Via G. Giolitti next to Termini. They all get to Largo Argentina, although I'd probably jump on the 40 or 70 as they are "usually" less crowded than the 64 - which has a fairly poor and well-deserved reputation. The 70 starts alongside the Roma Termini station, while the 40 and 64 park out front. When you get off at Largo Argentina, you want to head across the street towards the #8 TRAM stop. Now the La Feltrinelli bookstore is to your back. Walk past the Torre Argentina Bus Stop, continuing to the TRAM stop. There, keep walking until you get to the FAR end of the tram stop - like you're headed to Trastevere. At that far end of the tram stop, you'll see a street, Via Santa Anna. Turn RIGHT onto this street and walk two short blocks. The Hotel Smeraldo is on the left in the 2nd block. As it seems with with all Italian streets, the name changes to Via dei Chiodaroli as you enter the 2nd block... but it's a straight shot from the end of the #8 tram stop. Very easy to find. It's a basic, yet clean hotel with a great location. An easy walk to Largo Argentina, Campo dei Fiori, or even Trastevere (although I'd ride the #8 Tram). Good Luck!
Posted by
Boulder, CO, USA
719 posts
Nigel, We stayed at Smeraldo last May, and I believe that breakfast started at 7am, and least that's what I remember. Though, we had our 10mo daughter with us, so we were never down there that early to verify.
We walked from the Termini (far, but we walk everywhere in Europe. Don't miss anything that way, and makes room for Gelato...), but the Largo Argentina stop is very close to the hotel. Ron's advice is quite good.
Posted by
OP
Northamptonshire, England
32932 posts
Oh gents, those are perfect answers, giving us just what we needed. Thank you so very much... Ron, you've outdone yourself. That's wonderful...
Posted by
Atlanta
3253 posts
Hi Nigel,
You've gotten some great advice! FYI, there are other options for breakfast very near Hotel Smeraldo. There is a bakery to the left (Marco Roscioli Panificio) as you leave the hotel and a cafe just across the street. I think that you'll like the location of the hotel - very near Campo dei Fiori!
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11371 posts
It's a great neighborhood, Nigel. Stayed on Via Sant'Anna in Dec in an apartment and absolutely loved the area. But I would not walk to Termini. We took a cab for €13 from Large dei Torre Argentina. Pizzeria Sant'Anna right down the street is decent by the way.