Just off of piazza navonna- Instituto Santa Juliano de Falconeri. I know that I misspelled it, but can probably still find it. Run by the Catholic church. No in-suite baths. Probably no A/C - can't really rmemeber.

Pensione Barrett. It has a website. It has a great location, is michelin-recommended and in your budget. Family-run.

If you are there at least 5 nights an apartment is a great choice and you can find many in your price range.
And lots of them are dead center.

Check slowtrav.com for rental agency reviews and specific apartment reviews.
Or past trip reports here on Fodor's for links to ones that posters liked.

Now that we have finally done the apartment stay I wouldn't chose any other way.

Dawn,

I looked up the location of Sweet Home and the area behind Termini Station is not always savory at night, not very uplifiting, and I think you can do better for your budget in other neighborhoods, which are actually better located, too, for seeing all the sights in Rome you mentioned.

Take a look at these, and read the accompanying reviews. Always check to make sure if it has a private bath if you want one, and a/c if you need it.

http://www.venere.com/italy/rome/#o=default&r=0&m=0&f=B000100000000000&sb=1&ms=2&mz=43195

zeppole - K. Thank you. I will keep looking. Pensione Barrett is to expensive, it shows 155€ a night for a triple, little too steep for us.

iluvitaly - will def check out apt staying, good idea.

D.

Hi

Maybe try B&B Blue Rose - http://www.bbbluerose.com. When are you going? Your options are improved in the off season.

I listed several on your other thread. Do you want the contact info? They will be less than 100€ for a triple. I don't think Istituto Giuliana Falconeri suggested above has private baths if that matters to you.

When are you going? The best deals in Rome tend to go quickly, and may be booked months in advance.

It's worth checking the Hotel Julia website, and its associated other options like Domus Julia. This may or may not be in your range, depending on the timing of your visit. Also look at Hotel Panda, and its associated hotels. In both cases, read TripAdvisor and other review sites and see how you feel about them. Personally I thought the location of Hotel Julia was great, and the room and breakfast were good for the price.

Do you know about this list of convents? I know there are other lists too. But do get cracking on this.
http://www.santasusanna.org/comingToRome/convents.html

The prices on Santa Susanna will not be up to date. They don't bother updating the site often. A more accurate list (though not totally as I've noticed they've put the wrong maps next to a few) is the Rome Tourist Board site. If you want a certain zone, click it on the right and then click applica.
http://www.060608.it/en/content/list/area/accoglienza/id/152

There are several around the Vatican which are cheaper. One on the backside is particularly cheap (rooms as cheap as 35€) and not too far from the Cipro metro. It wouldn't be my choice of locations. This one is a bit more convenient, but still wouldn't be my top choices which I listed on the OP's other thread.
http://www.casamariaimmacolata.it/homepageeng.htm

If you want to get an idea of convent/monastery locations, pics of rooms, curfew, etc. take a look at www.monasterystays.com. I would try to book directly with the convents though as monastery stays markup the rates 10-15€ per night.
http://www.monasterystays.com/

There is also a women only hostel in a former convent which is just across the bridge from the historic center at the edge of Trastevere.
http://www.casainternazionaledelledonne.org/foresteria_uk.htm

Convents are a REALLY good option (my uncle uses convents exclusively and thus can afford to travel) and the list above me is a good one. However, when are you coming? This can change prices on B&Bs and hotels DRASTICALLY, like differences of E50 or E60/night. If nothing is set in stone yet, you don't mind rain, and really want to stretch a budget, I would recommend November or Jan-Feb because the city suddenly becomes dirt cheap. Or, as I often recommend, I always find guests great deals through www.leisureinrome.com. They have a lot of variety, a professional, ENGLISH speaking staff, are quick with responses, and happen to be running a lot of great deals on some really nice places. The rates tend to be cheaper than hotels in general, and apartments offer so much more space and privacy, I really like renting them too. Anyway, happy hunting!

Thanks everyone. I will research. We are traveling Spet 24-Oct 4, 2009. I have a place booked but am looking for another due to comments re: original place. San Miniato, was told not a great location.

I'm looking!!!!

D.

My favorite place to stay in Rome that is reasonable is also a Rick Steves,Frommers and Tripadvisor Favorite-Hotel Aberdeen on Via Torino. It is conveniently located off Via Nationale for shopping,buses to everywhere in Rome,etc.;one block from Piazza Republicca for metro stop and across from a police station for safety and a block from the opera house.
The hotel is VERY popular due to being inexpensive,clean,good area and wonderful staff that are so helpful with your traveling needs around Rome.(I have been staying here for many many years and cannot begin to tell you how I consider it "home" in Rome.)
I have stayed all over Rome both for vacations and for my airline job on layovers and I really think that you cannot go wrong with the Hotel Aberdeen...if you can get a room.Good Luck!
Use their website and you get a discount if you have or can produce a Rick Steves guidebook.

Dawn, are you game?? Go to www.priceline.com/ Click on Hotels and then click on 'name your own price'. Then Fill in Rome, your dates, check 'CENTRAL LOCATION' and 'FIVE STAR' hotel. Now add your price $125US. They will now say little chance of getting a hotel. But add $125 AGAIN and you will have a five star hotel for your dates. So, are you game?? because they will not tell you which hotel until you book. Dick

Bidding on Priceline is not a good option for a group of 3 in Rome, unless you want to bid for two rooms. You are certain to get a double room only.

If your trip is in less than a month, I would not expect to get a great deal, nor your first choice of convents, should you choose that. This is partly because of it being high season, and partly because you are booking so relatively late.

Hey all,

Not to cheat the system but can I ask for a double with 3 people traveling? Heck, we would sleep in a twin and on the floor, couches, etc if acceptable by hotel. We don't need beds for each but was always saying 3 due to number of people, not beds needed...make sense?

Hotel Aberdeen ...booked,

No, you can't cheat the system. It would violate fire codes. Hoteliers are on to that trick, particularly at small hotels where they watch everyone coming and going.

Enter in "apartments in Rome" in fodor search and I bet you can find a lot of information. Apartments are a great way to go especially if you have more than two people. Usually double or triple the space of an hotel room for same price. I assume you are staying for at least 3 nights in Rome...

Thought so and that's the way it should be. Thanks for keeping me honest. Just didn't know if it was more than ethics involved, that alone, keeps me honest vs. "getting away with it" is not a good idea in anything.

Thanks again.

D.

macdogmom - yes, 3 nights Oct 1-4, 2009 feel free to research for me, ha. We are walkers so that is not a prob to walk, walk, walk...not familiar enough with Rome to know where, which end of town is "safe" to stay in....I keep hearing of Piazza Navona, so that area must be recommended?

I will look up apt in Rome though, thank you.

D.

Also take a look at www.hotelscombined.com . It is easy to search for 3 people in a room. Set the distance to about 2 km from the center.

I would not expect to get something near Piazza Navona considering your budget and the time that you are traveling, so just look for something convenient, pleasant, and safe.

We rented a 2 BR apartment through realrome.com, They have reasonably priced options that could include some 1 BRs in your price range. The owner, Tim Pearson, is very helpful and pleasant to deal with

Dawn3333, I feel your pain. I rented an apartment near Vatican City (I googled the address and it's actually behind it). After mentioning this to my chiropractor, who's been to Rome 3 times, he told me the area is kind of sketchy. And, after looking at a street map, I deduced that we'd be on public transportation a lot, just to get started sightseeing.

Like you, my sister and I want to be able to walk out the door and start our day. I went back and combed more apartments and ended up booking a place in the Navona area. Yes, I'll have to eat the original deposit, but, I'd rather do that than spend half my time on a bus or subway.

Good luck with your search.

Dawn; Will was 'so right'. But if two rooms work, in a FIVE STAR HOTEL, review my previous post and use $75US, per room, per night. Dick

Hi,

We have stayed at a hotel in Rome before, right near the Pantheon and very expensive. This time we are staying in an apartment. There are quite a few you can choose from at this site:
http://www.b-b.rm.it
I saw some very reasonable ones near the Spanish Steps. We are staying west of Piazza Navone and spending 120 euro per night. There is a kitchenette there as well.
Some apartments near the Colosseum were closer to 90 euro per night. Most in the above price ranges have a bedroom and a couch or trundle bed in te living space that a third person could use.

Is Castel Sant'Angelo area good to stay or too far away? I guess I do not know areas/distances, etc. I found an apt close to Castel/Piazza Cavour but not sure if an okay area?

Piazza Cavour is just behind Castel Sant'Angelo. It's still not what most consider central, but if you found a nice apartment at your price range it will work. You can walk a couple of blocks and be at the Vatican, a few blocks in a different direction to reach the subway or across the bridge in front of the castel to be in the historic center. It depends how close to Piazza Cavour the apartment actually is. You can also catch a bus to all areas between the castel and the Vatican. Check reviews for apartments on slowtrav.

I'm so glad I checked in here tonight, as I'm planning return trip to Italy in April next year.

That women-only convent looks great. Thanks for the info on that kybourbon.

dutyfree- Hotel Aberdeen also looks promising, but I cannot find on their website what the difference is between a "single" and a "Superior Single". Can you elaborate? It does look they all have private bath, right?

Piazza Cavour is also an easy walk to Piazza del popolo (I know because we mistakenly got on a bus that took us there, then got off and walked through the Prati area (nice residential) to Piazza del Popolo.
The buses in Rome are actually more useful than the metro for most/many sights, but you should be sure to get a good bus map.

Hi Dawn,

I came across this apartment and wanted to share. The owner has a B&B in the same building and may have something for you. Email her and see-

http://www.vrbo.com/108288#photos

zoecat - they are booked, but thank you. I am going to email her as well, but website shows dates booked.

I am still looking. Found a place called Anna Rosa's B & B near the termini - anyone know of?

D.

zoecat - btw, vrbo #108288 listing was fabulous, just what we are looking for...keep me posted if you know of any other place... thank you thank you.

Dawn

zoecat - I can't remember if I told you, Nicholas Inn emailed back and they are booked too, I tried and I thank you for helping me. I just want this trip for my mom, sister and I to fabulous and I know it will be, regardless, we will be in ITALY!!!!! Thanks again. I am the "planner" so kinda getting worried!

D.

Hey all,

So i have narrowed it down to 2 places...which one do you think?

By Termini or in Trastevere, Termini 270€ Trav 360€ for 3 nights....HELP! I need to reserve quickly.

Thanks,

Dawn

I would not stay near Termini and it would depend on where in Trastevere. The closer to the Piazza Navona area the better. It's just more convenient to most things and the areas in the center are more pedestrian with limited traffic allowed.

Hi Dawn,

Can you post the links?

www.annarosabb.com in Termini

Tarchiani - Leisure in Rome website - might be more expensive than I thought, maybe 460€ or so.... Trastevere area

I don't understand the last post. If the Trastevere apartment is near the main street with the #8 tram and especially if it is relatively close to the Tiber, I would pick that area over the Termini location.

Vttraveler - okay. I am not familiar with any area of Rome that is why I am looking for input. I will check out this hotel in Trast again. Thanks.

Based on location, I feel the Trastevere apartment is much better. I don't like the Termini area.

zoecat- thank you. I guess Trast it is!

D.

Happy to help. Enjoy your trip!

I don't know what the difference is between single and superior single at the Aberdeen but I would email them-they are so efficient on EVERYTHING there. I have also stayed at the Olympia next door and Hotel Nationalze(sp?) when the Aberdeen is booked which is further up but doable. I like to use the money on save on hotels in Rome for gelato,wine and a great dinner instead?

Thoughts on hotels in Rome-
Although I take the tram over to Trastevere every trip for either dinner or looking at Oviesse I really wouldn't want to stay in the area as I like what is happening on the other side of the river better-just my opinion.Most of it is residential and rather quiet(read dull) at night.
Piazza Navonna is nice but not necessarily the "only place" to stay in the Rome area.Same holds true for the Pantheon area.Spanish Steps is very touristy to me but has some of my favorite restaurants there.The Vatican area is too far away unless you plan on doing nothing but the Vatican.

The airline I work for used to layover in a "very very" upscale area which was nice but super expensive for eating and doing things but at least we could use public transportation or walk alot to get to the regular places. We have recently changed locations to another hotel and I am not pleased-may give up flying Rome for awhile.
While I appreciate people using points for their hotels in Rome,the Hilton,Sheraton,Holiday Inn,etc. are not nearby and you have to shuttle in everyday which is a drag after awhile because of dealing with their schedules and the time/traffic of getting to and from the city.

My criteria for Rome is always that if you are not in the thick of things then at least be able to get there on a bus or walk (within 10-15 minutes) with great sightseeing on the way.I want a grocery store within a 5-10 minute walk(for wine and snacks), good restaurants and a coffee bar within a short distance for the morning,public transportation and even a metro stop if possible and not a ridiculous price.I enjoy a real Italian hotel-one that is not sanitized by Western standards with the exact same thing in everyroom(read chain hotels).There are ALOT of these Italian hotels that are all over Rome that can be enjoyed for less money and you have the chance to really immerse yourself in the neighborhood.

Termini station in Rome is not an old horrible train station-it is modern and is a typical Italian train station.It has its share of characters and as most travelers will tell you you must be aware of whats going on.There is one side of the station that I would not stay near but the rest of the area is fine-Best Western and other major chains hotels.

If you want to experience Rome then go and wander around the city without the usual tourist spots-the neighborhood coffee bar;the small grocery or fruit stand observing the moms and their babies shopping;the immigrants selling their "stuff" and then suddenly leaving;sitting on the bus or the trams observing people,etc.
The city of Rome is magical and like an artichoke you must return to it frequently to keep peeling the various sections that you missed on your previous trip!Have fun!

Great post Dutyfree. Re the Termini, just out of curiosity which side of the station wouldn't you stay at and why? Is it the East side due to inconvenient location?

Yeah Dutyfree - I have heard yea's and nay's re: the Termini. Which side is better? I was looking at a B & B on Principe Amedeo.

D

In case you don't mind waiting until you get there, there is a booking service in the train station which gets good hotels at discounted rates. I showed up around 6pm and got a 4 star for 70 euros! There is a 3 euro fee for this service.

BTW it was right by the train station - I would say on the "other side" coming from the main attractions. Not sure what side is the "bad" side but I did not feel unsafe and I was a woman alone.

I would "wait" but my mom would freak if I said, Oh, by the way, we don't have a room just yet. She would absolutely freak. Maybe in her younger days but not now....ha. She's 70, still young and a great traveler, walker, non complainer, etc. but not having a hotel room on this trip would rattle her a little.

Thanks though, good to know.

D.

Hi Dawn; Try this--has some good reviews. Google to find reviews. Bed & Breakfast rossana, rome This is the web site. www.rossanahouse.com Dick

Dawn3333,

I can't believe I missed this thread for so long--apologies. When my husband and I were in Rome in April/May, we stayed in a really wonderful place called the Cernaia Suites Bed and Breakfast. Here's their website (also good info. on TripAdvisor, which is how we located them to begin with):
http://www.cernaiasuite.com/en/

Location is near the Termini Station. We actually found this to be a great location near good restaurants, bus transportation, and great for walking.

Price when we ere there was 100E/night.

Here's the great part---this is a really lovely place to stay. There are 5 rooms in this kind of "mini-hotel". Each is very large, with lots of room to spread out. Exceptionally clean, super quiet because of the double windows, great natural light, free wi-fi, fridge in room. Renato is the owner and he couldn't be nicer and more helpful. He will not only greet you when you arrive, but will give you an orientation (via map) of where to go, good walks, restaurants within a block (we ate at all his recommendations and they were excellent). We originally planned to stay 2 nights, but extended to 5 after the first night because we liked it so much.

Also, in response to your original concern about being near the Termini station and safety, this place is located on the "good side" of the station. By that I mean that it seemed very safe where we were, and yet just a couple of blocks away it seemed to be a bit shadier at night. If I were 2 women alone walking, I would feel very secure in this area.

I'd stay again in a heartbeat. Only downside I would say is the breakfast. A bit spartan, but nice in that it is delivered to your room. We didn't much care as we were usually still full from dinner the night before!

Hope this helps--again apologies if this is too tardy to make a difference.

LisaG

Dawn,

Look here:

http://www.eurocheapo.com/rome/

I would cross off neighborhoods #3, #6 & #8 - otherwise these are all pretty well located, cheap, and well vetted.

Thanks all. I will check all these sites.

Another question, I might do a new thead as well. But, what about flea markets.... Venice, Florence and Rome. We will be in Venice Sept 25/26 Fri Sat
Floren Sept 27/28/29/30, actually 30'th a day trip to Lucca/Pisa back to Flor
Rome Oct 1,2,3 fly home early 4th

I read there are some on certain days but want to make sure we get to a "good" one. Any ideas on other "must do's/see's" no one mentions that you may have enjoyed....

D.

Dawn3333, you won't have to find "flea markets" in Florence... they pretty much find you. Barter-barter-barter!

I loved renting from vrbo.com (vacation rentals by Owner) because they are much more flexible when it comes to the rate and tend to fix things much more quicker. Check the following rental at vrbo, they have a last minute sale coupon going: http://www.vrbo.com/169833

I stayed at http://www.vrbo.com/175368 and loved it. Tony has about 5-6 apartments, some in Campo de Fiori and Tratevere and he is wonderful to work with. I bet you can get him to give you discount, not that his reates are bad at all.

A note on the Vatican apartment; a "stone-throw" from the Vaticam Nuseums, a 10-minute walk to Cipro Metro Stop A line. It is a longer walk to Navonna, etc...so take that into consideration. Whatever you decide to stay, close to a Metro/bus station is esential. While bus lines are ubiquitious, metro stations are much more convenient on weekends (specially Sundays).