nancyjacky

I've scoured the posts on fodors trying to find a hotel for 3 pp for 1 night in Rome in July before we head south the next day to Sorrento, but its been tough...so many mixed reviews. Looking to spend under $350 for the night. We arrive after a very long journey from Mexico to Rome at around 10:00 am. I thought it would be best to stay one night somewhere convenient to the Termini station ( walking or a short cab ride) , however, I really would love a recommendation since there are areas that are not so great near the station. Its important to me that the hotel be nice, clean and comfortable, as I'm sure we will really need a good nights sleep. I thought that the Hotel Alpi looked nice from the website, but interestingly enough there wasn-t any feedback on these forums.
FYI, we will be staying in Rome for 2 nights when flying back out, and I reserved at the Hotel Cesari (thanks to all the Fodorite recommendations
Thanks in advance for any recommendations for the one night......

greg

Depending on how you defined a "short" cab ride, the Hotel Cesari to Termini is a "short" cab ride. However, consider also that you may not be able to check-into hotel upon arrival.
Depending on how comfortable you are, you can press onto Sorrento on arrival. The last time I did this, my plane arrived at 11:45am at FCO after a 15hrs flight, took Leonardo Express to terminal to catch 14:00-15:10 Rome-Napoli train, took Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento, and finally at Sorrento hotel at 17:00.
If you started your trip 1:45hrs earlier than my trip, took taxi from Napoli station to Sorrento instead, which costs less than one half of $350 you are planning to spend in Rome, you could probably be checking in at your Sorrento hotel before 15:30 instead of checking in at your Rome Hotel at 13:00.

nancyjacky

Wow Greg its tempting...to move on the same day. It probably makes a whole lot more sense! At first, I thought we could just stay near termini, have dinner in Rome and then move on the next morning just to be safe. I wish I could make this decision when we arriving in Rome, depending on how we feel. Although I've traveled quite a bit, I've usually taken direct flights and this time its two flights from Mexico with a pretty long layover along the way. Difficult decision...ugh....since I really should change my reservation in Sorrento to add the night if we're going the day before we planned. Or make the reservation in Rome. I'm afraid to arrive really exhausted somewhere/anywhere and not have a place to stay. Greg, how did you get from Naples to Sorrento? On another note, any hotel recommendations for Sorrento?
Thanks so much for everything!

Reading54

If you are still looking for a hotel convenient to Rome Termini then look into the Piazza Repubblica area which is about a 10-min walk to Termini.

Google "hotels near Piazza Repubblica Rome Italy" and read the reviews, or get a Rick Steves' Italy book, he recommended several hotels in this area with different price ranges.

fmpden

We prefer the Hotel Sonya, just across from the Opera House and three blocks from Termini, also have used Aberdeen which is a little further. But for our one night stays we used Contilla which is one block south of the side door of Termini. All are three stars.

Mimar

I'd go directly on to Sorrento. You could get a driver or a taxi to Sorrento from the Naples train station. Actually it's not too difficult to walk downstairs in the Naples train station and catch the Circumvesuviana commuter train to Sorrento.

There's also an option of a train to Rome's Tibertina station and a bus directly to Sorrento. But that's a little more difficult (finding your way -- with luggage -- from the train station to the bus station). And departure times for the bus are few and likely to be inconvenient.

Going directly to Sorrento is not much more complicated than going into Rome and finding your hotel. And it's a better use of that first jet-lagged day.

ekc

I agree with Greg and Mimar that you should just continue to Sorrento on your first day. I arrived in Rome last June after flying from Oregon (2 layovers - ugh) and continued on to Positano. Sure, I was tired but it was worth it for me to just keep going and make it to my destination. You will be tired no matter what, so why not spend that wasted time getting to Sorrento - and take a little nap on the train to Naples!

nancyjacky

Thank you all for your suggestions. It has been so helpful. I am pretty sure now we are going to continue on to Sorrento the day we arrive in Rome. Agreed that it is probably the best way to spend "that first jet lagged day"
Thanks again so much and I promise to write a trip report when I get back!!!