Where to stay? Piazza Navona or Colosseum or Termini

Love the area around the Pantheon.

We stayed in Piazza Navona last October. We really enjoyed the location, close to everything. Walked everywhere, Colosseum, Vatican, Pantheon..,. I’m sure you will enjoy any of the locations.

With 4 people an apartment might be nice and it is very central. It’s always nice to be able to spread out a bit with 4 people, have a place to relax, and easy to go back to during the day since it is convenient,

Airbnb right next to Colosseum

Note that the Colosseum is a bit isolated from almost everything else that you want to see - it depends in part on what they mean by "right next."

Piazza Navona would put you closer to everything - I would want more than a single recommendation.

Train station location gives you best access to local transportation - bus and Metro - and convenience when leaving for Florence on the train.

We’ve stayed right near Piazza Navona multiple times over the years. Easy walking to many important sights, and very convenient to restaurants/bars/coffee as well. And Piazza Navona itself is magical at night, after most of the tourists have left!

On the Colosseum, it literally is right next to it - I think a 3 minute walk.

The Piazza Navona location is basically 2x the price of the Airbnb location. Now, the Piazza Navona apartments from a google search have like 25+ reviews, very positive and as I mentioned someone on the forums in reddit shared the recommendation.

I am wondering to get a bed and more room, than the sofa bed in the Airbnb if its worth to pay more and considering Piazza Navona being more central to everything.

As noted above- the Colosseum is isolated and further from the center of the historic center. You will have much further walks to and from the airbnb and all of the other sights you will want to see: Trevi, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Campo de' Fiori...

Ask your teens how they feel about sharing a sofa bed?

If your budget allows- my vote is for the Piazza Navonna apartment. You can't beat that location.
Must have air conditioning

One problem with apartment rental for short stays is the check in check out time might be OK, but if you arrive early- will they hold your luggage? If you want to sight see on check out day- will they hold your luggage?
Will there be anyone available to answer questions, help orient you?

NH hotels are usually very nice and they have fantastic breakfasts. If that hotel gives you the 2 beds/room that you were looking for that's a good deal and that location is fine. Lots of people stay near Termini and prefer that location. It will save you taxi fare to /from train station as well.
You'll want to use public transportation to get to a few places. You CAN walk to Colosseum from there (30min).
You'll have a 24 hour front desk to help you with maps, bus info, etc.

I'm not a fan of apartment stays of only 3 nights, and don't recommend apartment rentals for first time visitors either.

25 reviews is very small for an airbnb

Hi ChristineH,

Great feedback, yeah one of the concerns with the Airbnb and apartment is for early arrival I would have to store luggage somewhere before check in.

The Airbnb at colosseum said they have luggage storage right across.

The apartment I’m not sure but I assume there is some site in piazza navona to store.

I do have an early flight arrival at 9am.

My concern with the airbnb is the sofa bed, it could work and based on dimensions shared we’ve had kids do that in a hotel before.

There is another piazza navona property that had showed up on airbnb with no reviews but it’s got super hosts who have other properties with great reviews, it’s new renovated property which is tempting but not sure we want to try something with no reviews

Storing and retrieving luggage will take time

To me it’s all about location
I’d rate your 3 llocations like this:
1- Piazza Navonna
2- NH at Termini
3-Colosseum

I don’t use Airbnb but it’s my understanding that you can’t really see the actual location til closer to check in.
I like to use Google street maps to explore the area around lodging, see what the building looks like, etc. can’t do that without an address

As I said above I wouldn’t do an apartment rental for such a short stay. Doubtful you’ll be doing any cooking or laundry
You won’t be spending much time in your lodging either

So.. I guess my recommendation would be the NH
It is steps from Termini where you will arrive from FCO
Drop your bags and you are out sightseeing as soon as possible
No worries about communicating with apartment hosts, no time spent being shown how the apartment works, etc