Where to stay in the centre of Rome

Do you have RS Rome Guide Book yet? If so, great. If not, you should get one as soon as possible as it is full of suggestions of places to stay in Rome, one of which should fit your requirements. I, personally, would have booked a hotel room in Rome months ago but this early in the season, you might still find plenty of places available. Happy travels and good luck.

Hi, Grace! Rome is my very favorite city in the world! My advice: go to booking.com (this is a far better website than the others, because they require a certified stay to write a review) and search rooms. I do NOT like the area near Termini. This is a personal preference of mine, many other RS travelers like it because it is less expensive and close to the transportation hub. I don't like it because I think it's seedy, and I do not care for nearby restaurants, cafes, etc. Most people like Centro Storico (City Center) near Trevi/Pantheon/Navona/etc. I like this area too but I'm a little older now, and I like the "Prati" area near the Vatican which is quieter at night and I have my favorite restaurants, cafes, etc. Trastevere is also very nice, young, vibrant and a little out of the Center! Rome is very transportation friendly. The taxis are relatively cheap compared to other cities, and even our favorite cheapskate guru Rick S. uses taxis there! Get on it!! May is very popular. I stay at one of the Alimandi hotels. They have a B&B, a 3 star and a 4 star. They book quickly and are across the street from the Vatican Museum. Not much nightlife there, but I go with my girlfriends alone often and we're all @ 60 years old. Enjoy, I'm jealous, and would love to be in your suit case!

I just noticed you're traveling alone. Look at hotelalimandi.com and call them. Their phone # will be on the website. This is a family owned hotel. They own two almost next door to each other. The alimandi tunisi is just a three star, but the staff couldn't be nicer and they're very helpful and friendly to single women. They even have single rooms with small beds that are reasonably priced. A phone call to Italy is not an expensive thing anymore! They can also arrange to have a car pick you up at the airport. I would definitely avoid the train station alone unless you're familiar with it (I am, and still take a car from the airport to the hotel because I'm dog tired after arrival), and I use the train for connections to other cities when I'm on my way out of the city. I'm more rested and alert. It is not my intention to alarm you or scare you in any way! You will NOT be subjected to any violent crime in Rome or in Italy! It just doesn't happen! But there are pick pockets, etc., and the people at the train station will try to "hawk" you into the van that makes many stops and costs the same as a taxi., etc. I have a "neck wallet" and I keep my passport, most credit cards, and the majority of my money in it, (under my blouse) and keep just "day money" and one credit card in
my purse, which I am careful with. I have NEVER in many trips to Rome lost anything. Ever. I wish I were going with you!!! You will love, love, love Rome!

Hi Grace. You didn't indicate what your budget is for the hotel but you did say you want one that's "very nice". You might look at Albergo del Senato which is currently the #2 rated hotel on Trip Advisor. It's extremely central and in the same piazza as the Pantheon. The Pantheon is close to Piazza Navona and Campo de Fiori and all of these areas are safe and pleasant to walk around at night (with a gelato in hand of course!). I enjoy the liveliness of these areas and they're fun to walk around and people watch, especially at night. I don't have first hand experience with Albergo del Senato yet but I've reserved a room for this September and can't wait to stay there. Donna is right...you had better reserve a room fast as May is just around the corner and the start of tourist season. I also agree with Donna in that I would prefer not to stay in the Termini area (around the train station) as it just doesn't have the charm of the Centro Storico area. Although this is unsolicited, if you need a transfer to/from the airport, I recommend Rome Cabs (highly rated on this & other forums). They are a very trustworthy company and as Donna said, if you take a car to/from the airport, you can then avoid the train station which can be very confusing for the first time &/or jet-lagged visitor to Rome. The cost is only a few euros more than a taxi and they will monitor your flight and meet you outside of the luggage collection area, holding a sign with your name on it. It was a welcome sight after we arrived to Rome 5 hours later than our flight was due and we were very tired after traveling from the west coast. Have a wonderful time in Rome; it's a dynamic and exciting city!

Grace, I usually prefer to stay in the area near Termini station, as it's really convenient for transportation. I also travel solo much of the time, and find the area very "safe". As someone else mentioned, May is not far off so it would be a REALLY good idea to get something booked SOON. You might try Hotel Sonya or Hotel Aberdeen. As Charlie mentioned, the RS Rome Guidebook would be an excellent resource to pack along, and could save you some money and make your trip go more smoothly. The book has many Hotels listed in various parts of Rome. You can also get from the airport to Rome via the Leonardo Express. Travel time is about 35M and cost is €14. Have a look at the excellent www.roninrome.com website for details. One important point to mention regarding the Leonardo Express and other Regionale trains. You MUST validate your ticket prior to boarding the train on the day of travel, or risk hefty fines which will be collected on the spot! With the Freccia and other "premium" trains, reservations are compulsory, and these are specific to a particular train and departure time. Those found without valid reservations will also face hefty fines. Tickets must also be validated for travel on Buses in Rome or again (you guessed it), hefty fines. Be sure to wear a Money Belt, and be vigilant in crowded conditions such as on public transit (the #64 Bus has a bit of a reputation for pickpockets). Rome is a wonderful city! Happy travels!

I've just spent four nights at hotel Selene. It's by the termini. Never felt unsafe. I was with my daughter and husband. There is a metro stop close by.
I will be staying at the Aberdeen hotel when I go back next weekend.

You might also consider staying in a convent or monastery. I'm a woman in my late '20's, and I as frequently travel to/through Rome alone, I usually opt to stay in a convent. Convents are a good budget option, usually have a curfew (11pm or so), and based on the 5 I've stayed at in Rome, they're very quiet, very clean, and very secure. The nuns are sweethearts. They're not going to smack your knuckles with rulers or try to convert you; instead it's like having a pack of Italian grandmothers making sure you got back safe for the night, or that you have enough tea with your breakfast. Take a look at monasterystays.com. The site can be a little aggravating at times, but it's trustworthy.

As an "older" woman alone in Rome I feel completely safe in the Termini area. As mentioned above, it is convenient to transportation and you can walk to all the major sights. For me, part of what makes a stay great is to walk through neighborhoods and discovering unexpected treasures. I don't find Termini seedy, at all. Rome is a safe city. Go with an adventurous spirit and be open to meeting wonderful people. I have stayed at Hotel Oceania, in the Termini area, a couple of times. The rooms are beautiful, breakfast is good, and the staff is very helpful. You can book directly through their website. And taking the Leonardo Express (train) from the airport to Termini station is easy and quite safe.Not knowing your personality and travel style it is hard to suggest what will work best for you. But do know that I have never felt in danger taking this train. And have never been "hawked" or accosted in any way.