Rick's guide for Rome recommends Suore di Santa Elisabetta as a "heavenly Polish-run convent" with a great price, if not what look to be tiny rooms. Has anyone ever stayed there? Did you like it? I'm all over the place in terms of finding a place for me and my mother to stay; B&B? hotel? now this idea of a convent? Any thoughts? Thank you!
Posted by
London, Canada
14 posts
My husband and I stayed there for 5 nights early last month. Lovely place--the nuns are smiling and friendly (only Italian-speaking however, so learn a few words and phrases or prepare for charades); the breakfast is very good; the rooms are basic but clean; and Termini station is only a 10-minute walk away if you want to catch a bus or the Metro. The 11:30 curfew made us careful to eat close by, since we didn't tend to sit down for dinner til after 8:30 and pretty easily learned to linger for more than 2 hours over our meal. Wonderful concept. There's a tourist information booth at the end of the tiny street the convent's on--you can get a map, Roma Pass and advice---and the piazza Santa Maria Maggiore is right there with lots of places to eat, get gelato, get groceries, etc. There's even a department store. Best of all, the convent has a rooftop patio---one night we bought pizza and a bottle of wine and had dinner up there.
We didn't find the location too far from some sights---we walked to the Pantheon,the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, and more.
Posted by
OP
White Plains, NY
96 posts
Thank you for your detailed report - I really appreciate it.
Posted by
markham, on, canada
1 posts
Rome hotels are relatively expensive. Suore di Santa Elisabetta is another of Ricks European gems. Very basic but so much value to see this great city without breaking the bank. A very diverse clientele - almost all middle class of all ages and various nationalities. The nuns more or less strongly encourage you into speaking a little Italian. They were awesome. Be prepared to speak with your hands if "words" fail you. Remember their first language is Polish, but if you try a few Italian words with them you can get by with humour on both sides.
Great area. 10 min walk to train station. Across street from police station. Grocery store across plaza. Roof top patio awesome - take a few vinos or other libations with you. Free breakfast will set you up for the day Stayed here for 5 nights approx. 4 years ago. They never asked for a credit card until e checked out !! Will be back in Nov. Thanks Rick for yet another awesome value for money location. Lon S