bouradly

I'm being extremely indecisive on where to stay in Rome. I haven't taken a trip by myself in a different country before, so I am a little nervous. A clean place, private bathroom, friendly staff is high on my list. I've finally narrowed it down to the following:

1. http://www.realrome.com/propscarpettastudio.html (looks like the apartment is located near via salumi? Kinda close to the Isola Tiburina). I heard some good things about realrome from others on this forum, but not a lot of info about this place in particular. Slowtrav does not have any reviews. Has anyone stayed here or know someone who has?

2. Hotel due Torri - heard some nice things about them from this forum that is a couple years old. They get okay reviews. They warned that the room is small, but that doesn't bother me as long as the staff is decent.

3. Hosianum - I can't find any info on this place on this forum. looks like they get mostly decent reviews. Anyone stay here before? What is this area like? It looks like it is somewhere around the Colosseum, but more on the west side?

4. Maison Giulia - I haven't found many reviews, but the few I found were good. It looks like it is located on Via Giulia. I can't find a website on them, but it looks like it can be booked through venere.

They are all pretty much in the same price range. Well, the apartment is only 90 Euro per night. The rest are around 110 Euro, but more in the center. I decided against the Hotel Teatropace as it was 120 Euro and figured some of these others were probably just as good and it will save me a little. Any thoughts?

LowCountryIslander

bouradly...

I stayed at the Hosianum for two nights in early May and LOVED it!

I was in a single room on the 4th floor. The room and bathroom were spotless. I felt for a single room it was more then comfortable based on previous hotel stays in other European hotel rooms, which is to say it was not too small as some single rooms can be.

The front desk staff was pleasant and very efficient. I didn't have any special requests of them, but they always greeted me upon entering the lobby.

The lobby is not fancy or plush, but again very clean. The breakfast was more then adequate. When I was there it was too early in the season for breakfast to be served in the roof top area, so it was in a fairly large breakfast room in the basement (actually 2 rooms). If you like breakfast, they had a very nice selection of all kinds of pastries, breads, fruit, yogurt and also hot items such as scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage. I was also able to request cappucinno and that was brought to my table by a quiet but pleasant attandant. I even had 2 cups!

They also serve cocktails in the evening on the rooftop area or in a lounge just off the lobby...nice touch, although I did not partake.

The location (for me was perfect). It was just a couple blocks away from Largo Argentina...with it's very good public transportation options, but also within walking distcance of just about anything in the Centro Storico. Piazza Venezia is also just a couple blocks away. The hotel is on a small side street just a few steps off a larger street. I never felt unsafe coming or going from the hotel as a single female traveler.

bouradly

LowCountryRider,

Thanks for your response! A clean place with friendly staff is a must for me. Room size isn't a huge issue (since I am aware I am paying on the lower end of the scale). I was very intrigued by the location from the maps. I just haven't found anything about this area being mentioned on this forum and wasn't quite sure.

I still really like the idea of the apartment in Trastevere, especially since it will save me some money, but I don't know anything about this apartment, I'll be by myself, I don't speak Italian, I know I'll stick out like a sore thumb, and I won't have assistance from anyone. I suppose if I make it back to Rome, then I can try out that route.

Becca001

bouradly,
an apartment is a fine idea IMHO. You're going to stick out no matter where you stay so forget that notion. A few words of Italian will take you far. Learn to say good morning, thank you, please...you know, the nice-ities. Many Romans speak great to some English so don't be afraid of a language barrier either. Trastevere is very safe as is all of the historical center. With those issues out of the way you're only left with no one to help you out. And I would agree with that. You are are on your own when renting an apartment. But you can get acquainted with the local grocer or barista and then that person will be available to ask questions of. Especially if you're young and cute! The only negative to the apartment that I can see is less opportunity to meet other people. No lounge, reception area, breakfast room etc. It may leave you feeling a bit isolated. Have you considered staying at a more affordable place? The Beehive has a wonderful reputation, run by American ex-pats. Or a hotel near Termini may fit into your budget better.

that all said, I took my daughter to Italy twice and while she was an adult I may have well been alone. She read not one guide book nor studied one word of Italian or even looked at a map to learn the lay of the city. We rented apartments both times and it was a blast. I never felt frightened and I didn't experience any language barriers that made a difference in my experience. I did feel a little alone though at times. So if you are really leaning toward the apartment, I say go for it.

Becca001

One thing about the apartment....does it sit near to the Tiber? I'm just thinking about you trekking back after a long day of sight seeing. You might want to measure the distance from your apartment to the historical center only so you can make an informed decision. Yes, there are buses but a what a hassle IMHO. Rome is meant to be walked.

bouradly

Hi Becca (I should be working, but I'm too excited on planning my trip lol)

The apartment's location is in the northern section of Trastevere...right in the section of where Isola Tiburia is located. Maybe only a couple streets away.

Yeah, I already know I stick out. Only vacation place I've been to where the residents think I am also a resident is in Hawaii. I love strolling through areas where there are possibly more locals than tourists, but it can be a little intimidating for me, especially my first time there. But if I return, I think I'll definitely look into the apartment option. I don't feel it's right for me at this time. I don't mind spending a little more for something more in the center, includes a meal, and has someone at the front desk (I can be extremely shy with strangers on the street and I rarely approach them for assistance).

I did look at the Termini area for a hotel. While some of them look nice, I don't really want to stay in that area.

Jean

I'm going to disagree with the idea of an apartment for someone's first trip to a foreign country. If you're shy about asking for help, you need hotel staff whose job is to make your visit enjoyable.

It sounds like you're travelling alone. When I'm on my own, I don't like to stay in an apartment because it feels isolated. I like to chat with fellow tourists at breakfast or in the lobby, and I've met some great people this way.

I haven't stayed at the Due Torri, but I have stayed at its sister hotel (Hotel Fontanella Borghese) a few times. Yes, rooms are on the small side, but that is very typical in centuries-old buildings. Locations of both hotels are very good and safe. The staff at the FB were very helpful with museum reservations, restaurant suggestions, sightseeing tips, etc. The owner of both hotels is at one property or the other almost every day, so I think there is good attention to detail at these hotels.

luvtogotoo

I'm agreeing with Jean. Part of the experience of travel is meeting people, and you run the risk of being isolated in an apartment. That, with the added potential shyness, might mean the experience you come away with may not be as rich as it could be.

SusanMargaret

We stayed at the Hosianum Palace in May and found it to be a great location and we were very pleased with the hotel. One reason we stayed there was because of the roof garden. Each evening we went up and had a quiet drink before going off for dinner. The roof garden would be a delightful place to read a book when you need some down time.

Jean

The Hosianum looks very nice (especially that rooftop garden), and their website mentions big discounts for summer bookings. It might be hard to beat their rate.

Cries_Van_Notebook

Don't you want to stay near the Via Condotti so you can shop and Gucci and Prada?

Thin

bouradly

I have absolutely no idea where Via Condotti is! But also, I'm not really big into fashion (but I admit my sunglasses are Gucci). I prefer buying things from the little one of a kind shops.

One thing I'm excited about is checking out a paper shop in Florence. I have a Murano glass dipping pen and still handwrite letters. Use wax seals on them too! So I love nice paper.

bouradly

Jean,

I found that there were some good deals on a lot of places. I was surprised when I sent email inquiries regarding rates and availability and the quote I received was less than what their website stated for high season (I am going in September). In case any solo travelers are going in Sept:

Hosianum - 112 Euro
Due Torri - 110 Euro
Teatropace - 120 Euro
Maison Giulia - 110 Euro

farrermog

This Trip Advisor link from a recent post by Aussiegirl68 -

http://tinyurl.com/l8uxxj

Her preferred accommodation Baldassini B&B very highly rated on TA's traveler reviews.

Cries_Van_Notebook

What paper shop in Florence--Pineider???

I prefer Mrs. John L Strong.

Thin

Jean

bouradly, I highly recommend you download or purchase a street map of Rome. Location should be one of the factors you consider when choosing your hotel. You need to know where it is relative to the things you want to see.

The Fontanella Borghese is less than a block from the beginning of via Condotti. It's also fairly close to the Spagna metro stop if you think you'll use the subway. The Due Torri is a little bit farther from via Condotti and about halfway between the FB and Piazza Navona.

bouradly

Hi Jean,

I do have a map of Rome used it a lot when I was looking for a place to stay, but when I wrote the above earlier, I was at work and didn't have access to it.

I probably won't be using the subway much in Rome. It doesn't seem as useful as the Paris Metro or the London Underground. Maybe to a few places, but I'm guessing walking/buses will be the main way to go.

bouradly

Thin,

There are a couple paper shops the Fodor's book lists. I'll go into any paper shop if I happen to come across it!

KarenW

I used to live in Via dei polacchi, where the Hosianum Hotel is located. The hotel wasn't there at that time, but it's a great location, within walking distance of many of the sites you'll want to see, including Piazza Venezia, where you can get buses or taxis to everything else. I would also feel perfectly safe walking there at night alone.

annw

IF you are interested in an apartment in Trastevere but with a bit more help, consider WRH Trastevere guest house. About 150 eu a night (on weekends, anyway) which is maybe more than you want to spend. http://www.wrh-trastevere.com/ or check venere.com or tripadvisor.

The office is staffed office hours only (9-5-ish weekdays, less on weekends) though the staff is extremely helpful, recommends restaurants, ordered a car for my trip the airport, etc. They have snacks, kitchenette, coffee machine for cappuccinos, etc. 24/7. It's a lovely mod updated place (5 rooms) with in room laptops and the like. I just reviewed it on Venere.com.

However, I agree with the poster who suggests as a first time visitor getting a hotel or B&B instead so you have the support and infrastructure you need. I enjoyed my stay at this place but I've been to Rome 3 times previously.