Flame123

Having been to Rome so many many times, and loving the city each time anew, but lodging usually in the Piazza Navona / Campo / Pantheon areas, I am looking for something a bit different and new. Many people have suggested the Monti area and so I am happily looking for accomodations for a 4 night stay in March.
However, I am reading conflicting opinions and reviews of where exactly in Monti one should stay in terms of safety, ease of getting to sites (not those in the centro storico as above but those around Monti), etc.
So I ask once again of you great and knowledgeable Fodorites for some opinions and sugegstions of where to stay for a nice, clean, comfortable but up to 110 Euros per night for a couple accomodation.
Thanks in advance as always!! Quick replies appreciated !!

sandralist

If you have been to Rome many many times you have probably already been to Monti. It is where the Colosseum is located. There is nothing unsafe about the area, and it is most definitely in the "centro storico". It is the original center of the historic Roman empire.

You might find this thread useful

http://www.slowtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58047

Other places you might consider for something "different and new" is the area right around the via Margutta and the via Ripetta.

But it really depends on what sites you want to see during your 4 days and whether you are willing to use buses, trams or taxis.

Flame123

Of course we have BEEN to, and in, Monti. Just never stayed there and explored it like we enjoy doing when we "get" into a neighborhood. Thanks for the link - not useful since mostly talking about places to eat or apartments to stay - we want a B&B or small hotel. The sites we want to see are those in and around the Monti area mostly. I am thinking of choosing it specifically because those are sites we have either never seen or not for a long time. Definitely willing to use public transport but also love to walk the city.

annhig

Flame,

On our first visit to Rome, we ended up staying in Monti on the via dei Serpenti [which runs between Via Nazionale and via Cavour]. Although I wouldn't recommend it for a first time stay in Rome, for old-timers like you it would be ideal as it has a real neighbourhood feel with lots of "local" shops and businesses, like little work shops, cafes, bars and a great gelateria.

There are good connections via the buses up on Via Nazionale or at the Colosseum, or using the metro stop on Via Cavour. lots of good restaurants too, and many sites within walking distance. The only thing I would say is that it's easy to walk further than you think you are, which can lead to the dreaded Roman Foot.

Flame123

"Roman Foot"??? Do tell.......
Where exactly did you stay Ann? In a hotel? B&B?

sandralist

Since hotel rates are very seasonal in Rome, best to use booking.com to plug in your dates, and see prices for your dates. You can also search for amenities you might want (like wi-fi and air-con). You can see copious pictures of any hotel. You can read reviews and see the location of whatever appeals to you -- but I don't know of any "bad" streets in Monti. I have never heard that any area is unsafe -- but imagine that some streets might be noisy because of bars or traffic (but reviews will tell you that).

sandralist

Also, b&b owners in Italy often use airbnb as their booking portal

https://www.airbnb.ca/s/Rome?room_ty...ss_id=14fxjwsn

bvlenci

One of my favorite streets in Rome is the Via Urbana, in Monti. The Hotel Rafaello is on that street, and is very highly rated. I've never stayed there, but one day I will.

The Colosseum isn't in Monti, but it's right on the southern border, which is Piazza del Colosseo and Via dei Fori Imperiali. I believe the Colosseum is in Celio.

Flame123

Thanks Sandra. Looking seriously to book Residenza Maritti on Via tor de Conti 17. Any thoughts of the B&B or the street/area there?

bvlenci

I don't consider any parts of central Rome unsafe. I feel a little more unsafe in some of the residential neighborhoods just outside the center. We once stayed in Parioli, because my daughter was attending a conference at the Auditorium (and I was babysitting). That's a rather elegant neighborhood, but the streets were a bit too deserted at night for my taste.

annhig

Flame - we stayed in an apartment, which apparently belonged to a film director - there were lots of arty books around. There was a terrace from which you could just see the Colosseum, but there were over 80 steps to get up to it, so we tried to do shopping while we were out.

as for Roman foot, it was simply what we called the soreness of our feet after tramping the streets of Rome for a day. Very painful!

sandralist

Yes, I guess when Celio was broken off from Monti it took the Colosseo with it. But I think Monti still definitely qualifies as the centro storico.

Whenever I look for lodgings in Rome I am less concerned about safety than I am about noise. Not because I am reckless, but because I never worry much about the safety of any Roman neighborhood (it will turn up in reviews) but because a great many lovely streets in Rome can be incredibly noisy, for various reasons. The only way to find out is to track down lots of reviews -- if noise bothers you. It doesn't bother everyone like it bothers me.

sandralist

annhg,

Have you seen the recent film La Grande Bellezza, which is mostly set in an apartment in Rome whose terrace has a view of the Colosseo - ?? Directed by Paolo Sorrentino

http://www.mediaset.it/bin/98.$plit/C_116_fotogallery_74_lstFoto_foto_1_upiFoto.jpg

annhig

lol, Sandra, no, not seen it yet. What a view!

sadly our view was from rather further away and not such a good angle - but you could see it - just.

bvlenci

I'm fortunate in being able to sleep through anything.

ElizabethMinchilli

I always suggest people stay in Monti, whether it's their first time or their 10th The entire area is as safe as anywhere in Rome. That said, there are certain parts I would avoid staying if only because of noise. Do not stay in Piazza della Madonna dei Monti, since people hang out here till quite late and it can be hard to sleep. Quite streets nearby include Via Baccina, Via Madonna dei Monti and Via Clementina.

There are quite a few small hotels in Monti, including the Apollo and Grifo, but I'm not sure you'll be able to find something for 110. Best to look at airbnb for that price. One thing to be aware of when looking at airbnb in Rome is that some of the apartments are on the ground floor and so may be a bit dark. You can usually tell by looking at the photographs carefully.

Monti is within walking distance of just about everything. I live here, in Monti, and walk everywhere. The Pantheon is a 20 minute walk, as is Campo dei Fiori. The Vatican is a 40 minute walk, or a short bus ride away. Buses run on Via Nazionale and Via dei Fori Imperiali, and you have the Metro stop Cavour.

There are tons of great restaurants here, including Taverna dei Fori Imperiali, Urbana 47, Brocoletti, Aromaticus, l'Asino d'oro, Valentino, Alle Carette.

Hope this convinces you!!

annhig

Elizabeth - lucky you! i love Rome and have very happy memories of the week we stayed in Monti.

if I may say so, I think that you probably differ from the average tourist in that if you walk to the Pantheon, you don't then try to walk to the Vatican and to walk back again. That is where many, including us, go wrong, and end up with very sore feet.

when we got the hang of the buses, our feet were a lot happier.

jmct714

I stayed here with my sister in April 13.

http://www.romanreference.com/en/rome/apartment/238

The location on Via Cimarra was perfect. It's perhaps a bit big for two - we never used the living room once, spending most of our apartment time on the lovely terrace. It was on the fourth floor (I think) with no elevator, but otherwise very convenient. I liked the proximity to the metro on Cavour and to Via Nazionale and tons of bus options (to help prevent annhig's roman foot). We visited many of the restaurants Elizabeth mentioned, and spent a few nights people watching in Piazza della Madonna dei Monti. We loved Monti. (sigh... now I want to return...)

sandralist

annhig

Not that Oscars mean anything, but it did win a Best Foreign Film award and it is a ravishingly beautiful view of Rome, all the way around. If you enjoy Italian movies, this is a very colorful and thought provoking view of today's Rome from a "sorrentino", with many nods to Fellini and some other great italian artists. I am sure you can order it over the internet and view it at home.

bvlenci

In March, prices should be at low season rates. I just checked the Hotel Raffaelo, which I mentioned above, for a random date in March, and see that it was €125 a night, with free cancellation. That's a bit over your budget, but it's still a great price for that hotel. The Hotel Grifo, mentioned above should be well within your budget at that time of the year.