WillTravel

I was looking at the www.ratestogo.com web site which specializes in last-minute rates (up to three weeks from the current date). It had a rate of 45 Euros per night for a single room at the Hotel Julia in Rome, at Via Rasella, 29 - apparently a very central and good location according to many posters on this board. The room has a sink and toilet in the room, and a shower down the hall.

I am going to keep monitoring these rates for the Rome portion of my upcoming Italian trip in case they show up for January. But in the meantime, I wondered if anyone had any reports about these particular rooms at Hotel Julia. Most reviews have been of rooms in the 160-Euro range, so I expect this very cheap room might be of a different class.

Any reports?

Eloise

WillTravel: Hello again! We've already crossed paths today on the "Is Europe safe?" thread.

Not so long ago, you posted a number of Web sites listing convent lodgings in Italy, so I rather wonder why you are looking into inexpensive hotels.

The only disadvantage of staying in convents that I am aware of is that they have a curfew.

Do check out Fraterna Domus. The location is ideal (within minutes of the Piazza Navona and with dozens of restaurants in the area); the rooms all have private bath and (Italian-type straight-down-the-drain-in-the-floor no-shower-curtain) shower, with plenty of hot water. I was given a "single" with two twin beds for 48 Euro a night; it wasn't large, but I don't think there are any large rooms out there in Rome for 48 Euro. Fraterna Domus also serves lunch and dinner for 12 Euro; not great, just ordinary home-cooking style. I only ate there once, the evening of the day I arrived; I was too tired to go anywhere else. Curfew is at 11:00 p.m., which was late enough for me.

WillTravel

I'm actually looking into all budget options. I'm not wedded to any solution. I've booked a B&B and I am likely to go with that, but I want to make sure I choose the best possible option given budget constraints.

One reason I'm a bit concerned about a convent is due to the curfew. I'm not inclined to stay out late, and I definitely do not go to nightclubs, but I found I was out until 11:30 PM or so in Paris without even trying. So a 10:30 to 11:00 PM curfew could be a problem.

I have to agree that Fraternus Domus sounds like a very good choice, though.

Thomas_Milligan

I have no experience with the Hotel Julia, but this type of single room without shower is the sort of room that many European hotels market to bus drivers. It is probably very small.

WillTravel

I found the Hotel Julia web site at http://www.hoteljulia.it and sent them a query. The site lists the "Single Economic Room" as having a low rate of 42 Euros when obtained directly. The location really does sound ideal.

hawaiiantraveler

My wife andI have stayed at the Hotel Julia. It is a nice 2 star hotel with a 3 star rating. The rooms are on the small side and the bathrooms are even smaller. They have those small cube showers that I have a hard time moving around in. Other than that the morning buffet breakfast was adequate and it is a couple of blocks from alot of shopping and pretty good restaurants. Also the metro is right around the corner (Piazza Barberini). Hope this helps!

Travelnut

Willtravel, did you look into this hotel? I haven't been there but it is one I would try booking.

http://www.hotelitaliaroma.com/en.htm

http://rome-hotels.tripadvisor.com/S...ome_Lazio.html

WillTravel

That looks good, Travelnut. A very good deal, especially considering that even the single rooms have a private bathroom.

I heard back from Hotel Julia and they are charging 50 Euros per night including breakfast for that "single economic room". I think I will probably stick with the B&B for 40 Euros - which is a splurge for me considering I could get a hostel bed for less than 20 Euros.

Travelnut

You are brave. Let us know how it was.