Struggling finding affordablility in Rome

Did you check Hotel Sonya...a Rick Steves recomendation? http://www.hotelsonya.it/

No availability :(

http://www.retrome.net/

Last September we stayed at Downtown Accomodation on Via Cavour. It was just a few blocks from the Colosseum. We paid 70 euros per night. AC was extra. The room was no frills, but clean and it included breakfast...such as it was. If you decide to stay there you should request a room in the back. We were on the street side and there was a lot of traffic noise.

You didn't say when you are going as it will effect price. Check booking.com for Rome and your dates and sort by price. You can read the comments and decide on a hotel. We stay in the Termini area, walking distance to the train and metro stations, as well as many sites. We've paid about 80 euro/night but it has been in March.

check Santa Susanna.org for convents at or below your target price. I always stay(if available) at Snta Maria alle Fornachi near the Vatican. double is 95 Euros.

Hi Aubrey. There are some good budget choices here http://www.cross-pollinate.com depending on your needs and dates. Good luck!

I stayed at the Beehive a hostel near the train station it was great. I had no problems with my stuff going missing. They had only one room with 4 bunk beds. They also have a few private rooms. The hoel Panda near the Spanish steps is nice as well.

Try www.cross-pollinate.com. They have a variety of B & B's for whom they are rental agents. Have used them with no problems.
The same people run Bee Hive.

Al Centro di Roma B&B - central to the Pantheon, Piazza Navona & Campo di Fiori. 105 E a night, so it's a smidge above your budget but it's clean and central. I'd stay there again.

we are staying at Ancient Romance b&b in June, prices were decent, family just returned staying at gli artisi b&b, both are near the vatican.

When are you traveling?

Thanks everyone for the leads! We will be traveling this mid-September. I'm sure I'll find something with all these ideas, thanks again (keep them coming too!)

We also found Rome to be very expensive! We used B & B Association of Rome (http://www.b-b.rm.it/) to find a room near the Vatican.

Try 'Al Pantheon Con Thomas Mann" B&B. 90 euro per notte. We stayed here in 09. It is literally in the shadow of the Pantheon, footsteps away. I cant describe the feeling of walking out the door early in the morning and seeing this amazing building just right there! And having it all to yourself, as the tourists have yet to arrive. The rooms are nothing special. Ours didn't even have a window. But when you're in Roma, who's gonna hang around the room? The place is clean, more like a hotel, but with no one running the place. The only time we saw someone was when we checked in, and the woman who provided our cold breakfast. If you're used to simple Italian accommodations and you dont need much, this is the place. If I remember we found it through Trip Adviser, or Venere.

I would have no reservation about staying at the Beehive if they have space available during your travel time (Reserve early as its very popular for a reason) Its a handy location just a few blocks from the train station and is very well reviewed. A few blocks futher away is where I have stayed my last two trips. Hotel Cervia Roma. With a bathroom down the hall it looks likes it about 70 euro for a double or about 90 euro with private bath. I prefer the rooms directly up the stairs from the office. There are some rooms further up the main stairs which are ok but not as nice. Its basic lodging. If your expectations are reasonable, its a handy place. To maintain our budget, we typically would pick up a nice salad, fresh bread and bottle of wine on our way back to the room each night from the grocery in Termini. (About 15 euro for two people and a nice healthy meal) It is not central exactly but its near Termini so you can catch Metro or the train easily. I like to walk to most places in Rome from there but its a good long walk (maybe 45 min to an hour to the Vatican walking quickly). The Pantheon / Forum is a bit closer but not much. It is near National Museum of Rome (the branch near Termini) which I think underrated.

Last fall I stayed at Hotel Katty about 10-min walk from Termini. Rooms are updated and ensuite. Rates are reasonable and there is an elevator. Family-run; the daughter who runs the desk speaks English. I think $120 would be around 90 Euros. You could also try venere.com.

Totally agree with Carol. Time of year matters. IMO best websites are eurobooking.com and Caupona.net. They will both take you to the country the city and then the area in the city then sort by price and stars and ratings. Then you can go to tripadvisor and check out the reviews, If you need help just ask

Aubrey, I assume there will two of you travelling? If money is really an issue, a double room in a Hostel might be the most cost effective solution. You might have a look at This Hostel which is located in the Termini area (an easy walk from the station). If I read the pricing charts correctly, a double with bathroom is €110. When staying in dorm rooms, Hostels normally charge "per person", however with doubles I believe the cost is for the room. The rooms are equipped with modern card locks (which also activate the electrics in the room), so I doubt that theft would be a problem. I've never had a problem in the dorm rooms there. If you're somewhat "adventurous", you could consider a 4-bed Dorm (with bathroom), which would be €35 PP. Happy travels!

Hotel Parlamento I had some good luck in Brussels and Paris finding a room on eurocheapo.com after looking there, I looked up on tripadvisor what people said about the places.

Try Suites Piazza del Popolo. This is a B&B on Via Flaminia, between the Borghese Gardens and the Tiber. The rooms are large, clean, and artistically decorated. There is a convenient tram that travels straight down the street to the Piazza del Popolo where there are multiple bus stops as well the as the Metro. This is a safe neightborhood with plenty of restaurants.

Aubrey, I stayed in The Beehive hostel and found it very clean, well managed, quiet and the breakfast downstairs fantastic. I loved have cappucino and brioche in the mornings everywhere in Italy for breakfast but after 10 days of it, I was ready for some eggs and english muffin. The very friendly cook at The Beehive served up the best full breakfast of my 20 day trip. I didn't find security to be much of an issue - stayed in the dorm with probably 10 others. Quite a pleasant stay actually. But like others have said, if you don't hop on it soon, the rooms and dorms will be booked. Happy travels and Ciao!