Seeking ideas for Trastevere hotels near station and restaurants
May 12th, 2014, 04:44 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,274
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Seeking ideas for Trastevere hotels near station and restaurants
Howdy, I was wondering if anyone has ever stayed in a place near the Trastevere station which also has a few restaurants nearby. I've never been to this part of Rome.
We are planning a trip to Puglia for the month of June, but we have a long haul to get to FCO from California. I'd just like to try something different, and I thought this might be a cool experience for us. I want to stay a couple of nights to get re-charged before we make our way to the Adriatic. I appreciate any and all suggestions. Thank you!
We are planning a trip to Puglia for the month of June, but we have a long haul to get to FCO from California. I'd just like to try something different, and I thought this might be a cool experience for us. I want to stay a couple of nights to get re-charged before we make our way to the Adriatic. I appreciate any and all suggestions. Thank you!
May 12th, 2014, 05:38 PM
#2
In 2009 we decided to stay in Trastevere for the same reasons you mentioned. We very much enjoyed the area. We stayed at the Hotel San Francesco. The hotel is located next to the San Francesco Church and Convent, right over the bridge near the Porta Portese. We arrived by train from Bologna and took a taxi to the hotel. Following is an excerpt from my TR describing the hotel.
Arriving at the hotel, the desk was manned by Max, a very pleasant gentleman thus completing our string of outstanding hotel staff for this trip. We were given the key to our room. This room did not meet our expectations, mainly because it was overlooking the street and there was scaffolding on that part of the building right at the window giving Mi Chica visions of early morning workmen peering in our room and bath (as it turned out, the work had already been done and the scaffolding was just waiting to be removed.) Max gave us a different room on the other side of the hotel that overlooks a very lovely garden complete with a Palm tree and an Orange tree, still with fruit. He told us that we would have to vacate that room the next day but our luggage would be moved to another on the same side. That is what happened and the new room was even nicer and larger. For those who may want to stay at the San Francesco, it is the even numbered rooms that are the nicest and overlook the garden and of those, the ones ending in 6 are the largest and best. It has free internet with a workstation. The off season rate was only 70 euro/night with a cash discount bringing it down to an incredible 64 euro![2009 off season] That included a most excellent breakfast buffet. The hotel's public spaces are very nice and spacious and the breakfast area is almost elegant making for a most excellent morning experience.
We went up onto the rooftop terrace, that has a bar during the high season, for the view that was spectacular.
Arriving at the hotel, the desk was manned by Max, a very pleasant gentleman thus completing our string of outstanding hotel staff for this trip. We were given the key to our room. This room did not meet our expectations, mainly because it was overlooking the street and there was scaffolding on that part of the building right at the window giving Mi Chica visions of early morning workmen peering in our room and bath (as it turned out, the work had already been done and the scaffolding was just waiting to be removed.) Max gave us a different room on the other side of the hotel that overlooks a very lovely garden complete with a Palm tree and an Orange tree, still with fruit. He told us that we would have to vacate that room the next day but our luggage would be moved to another on the same side. That is what happened and the new room was even nicer and larger. For those who may want to stay at the San Francesco, it is the even numbered rooms that are the nicest and overlook the garden and of those, the ones ending in 6 are the largest and best. It has free internet with a workstation. The off season rate was only 70 euro/night with a cash discount bringing it down to an incredible 64 euro![2009 off season] That included a most excellent breakfast buffet. The hotel's public spaces are very nice and spacious and the breakfast area is almost elegant making for a most excellent morning experience.
We went up onto the rooftop terrace, that has a bar during the high season, for the view that was spectacular.
May 12th, 2014, 05:55 PM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,274
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That sounds great, and thank you for being so specific as to the layout of the rooms. The price has more than doubled. Rats! I will add it to my Rome notes though in case I can't find something more economical. At least they have our nights available.
I don't think we will be booking in advance, which I hope doesn't end up biting us in the butt. We did that once and the airline screwed up our flight so we missed our first night in Rome and got charged for the room anyway. We wing it, and have had some incredible luck doing so...but finding a room in Rome seems like such a chore because there must be 1,000 to choose from.
Thanks again, Basingstoke!
I don't think we will be booking in advance, which I hope doesn't end up biting us in the butt. We did that once and the airline screwed up our flight so we missed our first night in Rome and got charged for the room anyway. We wing it, and have had some incredible luck doing so...but finding a room in Rome seems like such a chore because there must be 1,000 to choose from.
Thanks again, Basingstoke!
May 12th, 2014, 07:50 PM
#4
Glad to come up with an idea for you. A little more about the hotel that may be useful:
Buses are around the corner and trams a block away on the Via Trastevere. The Via Trastevere is a busy boulevard with lots of shops. There is a regular supermarket, a whole foods supermarket and a place to do your laundry all within a few hundred yards of the hotel. There are also many nice, reasonably priced places to eat nearby. This is more of a neighborhood than tourist central.
If you stay in Travestere there is a restaurant that we found to have down home Roman cooking and very inexpensive prices. What intrigued us about the restaurant was that passing by, it was filled with all sorts of people, from young folk with backpacks to women in furs and men in suits - a place that is popular with locals. The menu is on blackboards. I do not recall the name or even if it had a name other than "Pizza." It was on the right hand side of Via Travestere if walking toward the river, about half way between a line perpendicular to the hotel and the river.
Here are some photos of the hotel:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/basing...7615206904395/
Buses are around the corner and trams a block away on the Via Trastevere. The Via Trastevere is a busy boulevard with lots of shops. There is a regular supermarket, a whole foods supermarket and a place to do your laundry all within a few hundred yards of the hotel. There are also many nice, reasonably priced places to eat nearby. This is more of a neighborhood than tourist central.
If you stay in Travestere there is a restaurant that we found to have down home Roman cooking and very inexpensive prices. What intrigued us about the restaurant was that passing by, it was filled with all sorts of people, from young folk with backpacks to women in furs and men in suits - a place that is popular with locals. The menu is on blackboards. I do not recall the name or even if it had a name other than "Pizza." It was on the right hand side of Via Travestere if walking toward the river, about half way between a line perpendicular to the hotel and the river.
Here are some photos of the hotel:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/basing...7615206904395/
May 12th, 2014, 11:11 PM
#6
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The trastevere station and the fun/action/restaurant packed area of trastevere are on opposite ends of the rather long viale (not via) trastevere. Completely different vibe.
Winging a hotel room in june is risky, you might end up paying too much for a bad room - it is high season. And trying to find something you will like and within budget after a long flight from california is not the best situation.
The pizzeria mentioned is possibly ai marmi - very popular and atmospheric but very low quality place.
Winging a hotel room in june is risky, you might end up paying too much for a bad room - it is high season. And trying to find something you will like and within budget after a long flight from california is not the best situation.
The pizzeria mentioned is possibly ai marmi - very popular and atmospheric but very low quality place.
May 13th, 2014, 03:37 AM
#7
vinoroma - thanks for correction of viale vs via. That helps my tape learned Italian. As far as the restaurant, I am not sure if this is the same place as ai marmi - I would not call it atmospheric, rather very basic. I thought the food quite good as did DW. On the other hand, they had Bacala, i.e. salt cod. I like Bacala so that might of influenced me.
MmePerdu - that's a banana tree? Live and learn.
MmePerdu - that's a banana tree? Live and learn.
May 13th, 2014, 08:23 AM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,274
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Basingstoke: Thank you, but I can't figure out by looking at the map the description of the restaurant location. Another question, I've read about the "tram" that goes back and forth on the viale. How do you get tickets? Is it the same type of thing as riding a bus?
vino: Thanks for the warning. Believe me, I am not excited about winging it at this time of year either. Nor after all of those flying hours. As a result, I spoke with hubby and we decided that it probably <i>would</i> be best to book one night somewhere. Then if we want to, we can stay another night. I did the google map thing and I'm going to spend time looking at, and cross checking hotels that look interesting with other websites. As an example, I found this one, Hotel Villa San Pio. Not in Trastevere, but on the outskirts of the hub, which I like. Gets good ratings. But I think I will try to find something closer to the center of Trastevere, meaning as I understand it, where the "nose" is. (For example the streets of Via di Porta Portese up to and including Piazza di Santa Maria)
vino: Thanks for the warning. Believe me, I am not excited about winging it at this time of year either. Nor after all of those flying hours. As a result, I spoke with hubby and we decided that it probably <i>would</i> be best to book one night somewhere. Then if we want to, we can stay another night. I did the google map thing and I'm going to spend time looking at, and cross checking hotels that look interesting with other websites. As an example, I found this one, Hotel Villa San Pio. Not in Trastevere, but on the outskirts of the hub, which I like. Gets good ratings. But I think I will try to find something closer to the center of Trastevere, meaning as I understand it, where the "nose" is. (For example the streets of Via di Porta Portese up to and including Piazza di Santa Maria)
May 13th, 2014, 08:47 AM
#9
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My last trip I took the train from Fiumicino to the Trastevere station, went to the newsagent/tobacconist in the station and bought tram tickets (you can get individual ride or whole-day tickets), then hopped on the tram about three stops to this place which has a real high rating at booking.com, was close to the tram stop, and at a great price:
http://www.booking.com/hotel/it/bb-r...897463;srpos=1
From there it was a short walk or another stop on the tram further north on Viale Trastevere to the densest restaurant area. The next day I rented a bike and explored the area more (here are piccies: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dougla...7637640291643/ ).
http://www.booking.com/hotel/it/bb-r...897463;srpos=1
From there it was a short walk or another stop on the tram further north on Viale Trastevere to the densest restaurant area. The next day I rented a bike and explored the area more (here are piccies: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dougla...7637640291643/ ).
May 13th, 2014, 09:31 AM
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,274
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
dfourh: Thank you for that. Great price! Unfortunately, they only have one single room left.
So is there a different ticket for the tram as opposed to the bus? Or are they interchangeable?
So is there a different ticket for the tram as opposed to the bus? Or are they interchangeable?
May 13th, 2014, 09:51 AM
#11
>>>Another question, I've read about the "tram" that goes back and forth on the viale.<<<
The tram tickets are the same as the metro/bus tickets. You can buy at many little shops or stations. The tram goes all the way to Piazza Venezia (right next to the Forum). I would stay a bit further from the Trastevere station (more towards the pedestrian only area). You might take a look at this B&B, but I would imagine most things book up (may already be booked for June).
http://www.arcodellauro.it/?lang=en
The tram tickets are the same as the metro/bus tickets. You can buy at many little shops or stations. The tram goes all the way to Piazza Venezia (right next to the Forum). I would stay a bit further from the Trastevere station (more towards the pedestrian only area). You might take a look at this B&B, but I would imagine most things book up (may already be booked for June).
http://www.arcodellauro.it/?lang=en
May 13th, 2014, 10:01 AM
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,274
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thank you, ky. You're correct it is booked. I am finding a lot of options fortunately, but I haven't quite decided yet which one. I didn't realize that there is a pedestrian only zone. Could you please indicate where that is for me?
May 13th, 2014, 01:19 PM
#13
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would go to www.booking.com and put in your dates, then go straight over to the map feature on the left side of the page. Then zoom into Viale Trastevere. The tram goes straight up the Viale to Largo Argentina then cuts over to Piazza Venezia - - if you zoom roughly along that path something convenient with a good rating (preferably over 8.0, though over 7.0 is usually acceptable) at a good price might pop up.
May 13th, 2014, 08:43 PM
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,274
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I went ahead and did it! Found this hotel, and I think it will be a nice one based on booking.com and TA reviews.
BTW, booking.com had a <b>much</b> better price than the hotel's website! 164 vs 224 Euro. It's called, VOI Donna Camilla Savelli Hotel. Yea!
BTW, booking.com had a <b>much</b> better price than the hotel's website! 164 vs 224 Euro. It's called, VOI Donna Camilla Savelli Hotel. Yea!
May 14th, 2014, 04:36 AM
#16
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Looks like you take the tram 4 stops from Trastevere Station, and from there take a bus 4 stops. The hotel website says it is bus #125 but Google Maps has it as bus # 115.
Fine looking hotel - - and what great reviews!
Fine looking hotel - - and what great reviews!
May 14th, 2014, 06:56 AM
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,274
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
df: Great info. Thank you! After our long flights, we'll grab a cab, but maybe we'll go this route back to the station. Yes, the reviews are great on Yelp and TA too. Very exciting!
BTW, I had closed my browser and shut down my computer last night, so when I started up the computer I opened my browser and told it to restore the windows from my previous session and booking.com opened up to the hotel and it has dropped 2 Euros today. I guess we should have waited. :-? Just kidding!
BTW, I had closed my browser and shut down my computer last night, so when I started up the computer I opened my browser and told it to restore the windows from my previous session and booking.com opened up to the hotel and it has dropped 2 Euros today. I guess we should have waited. :-? Just kidding!
May 14th, 2014, 11:26 AM
#20
>>>bus # 115<<<
115 used to be one of the little electric buses that ran through the pedestrian area (like the 116 and 117 that run through Piazza Navona area and Spanish Steps area).
The transportation website for Rome is www.atac.roma.it
The 115 route is:
http://viaggiacon.atac.roma.it/?serv...ercorso=115AT1
115 used to be one of the little electric buses that ran through the pedestrian area (like the 116 and 117 that run through Piazza Navona area and Spanish Steps area).
The transportation website for Rome is www.atac.roma.it
The 115 route is:
http://viaggiacon.atac.roma.it/?serv...ercorso=115AT1
