If you name the hotels maybe someone has stayed at them to tell you more.

The hood near the train station isnt the greatest.

The one near the train station is Domus Praetoria which doesn't have many reviews on Fodor's and the one in central Rome near the attractions is called Hotel Julia which did receive some mixed reviews on this site. Thanks!

My daughter and I stayed at the Domus Julia (apartment annex to Hotel Julia) this past May for three nights. We were very happy with its location, and the value for the price of our room. Breakfast was included, which is served in a nice breakfast room of the Hotel Julia. It includes pastries, hot boiled eggs, cold ham, cereal, yoghurt and nice cappuccino. Our twin room was quite large, with a nice new bathroom. I think we paid 170EUR.
We were completely content. The top of the Spanish Steps is just up the block and over a bit. The Barberini Palace is at the top of the street. The Trevi Fountain is down the hill a couple of blocks. We were able to walk all over Rome from Domus Julia. It is a very clean and well-run budget choice. They offer a shuttle service from the airport, which was only about 14 EUR, which is much cheaper than any other I could find. And, if you book directly with the hotel, there's a 10 percent discount coupon you can download from another site (I can't remember its name, but you could Google and find it, I'll bet, if it's still available). They wouldn't honor it for me, since I'd already booked through venere.com.

I thought about Domus Praetoria and corresponded with them. They were very prompt and courteous and the price was right. However, when I realized how close it was to the train station area, I decided I did not want that. And chose instead the Pantheon/Piazza Navona area. It is a much nicer area in terms of neighborhood and if you are not staying for too long, very centrally located and close to what you want to see usually.

You could be robbed anywhere indovina.
We were on the metro in Paris and these young males came onto the train- laughing and fooling around with each other. All of a sudden one of the males dropped a coin under our seats and started looking for it. We foolishly looked on the floor to help him.After him finding his coin - (Less than 20 seconds later ) the boys got off the train and my husband realised he had been pickpocketed.
Did we feel stupid! 75 euros poorer, we were determined to get on with our day and not let the incident spoil everything, but it leaves you a little shaken.
A lesson learned.
Watch out for this trick -wherever you go.

Sorry carylspall about your pickpocketing experience - I will remember the coin trick....I am actually considering Hotel Julia which is different from Domus Julia, I believe. Still looking forward to hearing other opinions - thank you!

The area around Roma's Termini train station is not that great. However, if you plan to utilize the train a lot, it might be prudent to stay close by so you can easily catch trains, etc. Have you considered staying in the Campo dei Fiori area? I stay there every time I am in Rome. It is about a 15 min bus ride on the #64 from the Termini Station to the Corso Vittorio Emanuele bus stop. The hotel rates in the Campo are about 90-100 for a double and the area has a daily morning market that is fun to shop at. Also, there are shops and cafes around the piazza area.

The Spanish Steps area is heavily touristed so it will be crowded. It all depends on what you are looking for.

P.S. You don't have to take the subways, I manage just fine with busses and walking around everywhere. Keep your items on your person and avoid carrying the obvious tourist/video equipment in plain sight. Buon viaggio!

The Spanish Steps are nice location but will probably be crowded with tourists and young kids hanging out until the wee hours of the morning. My wife and I took the train from Airport as well as took the Metro all over Rome and had no problems. If the one hotel offers a shuttle at 14EU from the airport - take it. I may be cheaper than the train plus as of right now, the taxis in Italy are on strike.

In addition to the "dropped" coins, my boyfriend's brother was the victim of the same ploy involving a "dropped" key.

I highly suggest you stay at the hotel near trevi/spanish steps. It will be much more centrally located to where you will be walking and exporing each day.

The hotel near the train station will only be a good choice if you plan to do day trips out of Rome. The area is not as nice either.

Stay near the trevi/steps and you will be so happy you did.

If you are worried about riding the metro, then just walk every where. Rome is small enough to do so, and if you get too tired to continue, you can take a taxi.

The area near the train station is not very tourist oriented. There are a lot of hotels and apartments in the area. There's nothing wrong with the neighborhood where Domus Praetoria is located.

If you are not handicapped and enjoy walking this is not a bad neighborhood. For over 17 years I have always stayed around here, almost always at the Hotel Canada which is not in the price range of the Domus Praetoria. The people who tell you it is a bad neighborhood should be asked to explain why the Exedra which is the newest super luxury hotels in Rome is only a few blocks away.

Indovina, the train station area may be real life Italy but I suppose not the reason why you are visiting Rome. It has very little of interest and I remeber it looking "gray". It would be a track for you to sightsee everyday if you stay there. trevi/spanish steps area is very convenient, you can walk everywhere, even to the vatican.

We stayed near the forum [via dei serpenti off via nazionale] at easter, and spent a lot of time on the buses, when it was already quite hot. so I second/third the suggestions to stay in as central a spot as possible. Trevi would be good, piazza navona etc. even better. You will appreciate it, even if it costs a bit more.

Thank you everyone for your great advice! I have decided to stay in more central Rome at Hotel Julia. Taking the train and buses in August in Rome is not something I really want to do.

When I get back, I will give you my review of the hotel and my trip!

Many thanks again!

Safe journey indovina. Have a great holiday!

I hope you have a good experience at Hotel Julia, like we did. Enjoy Rome!

I liked Hotel Julia, and it was very convenient. My main concern for August, though, would be which hotel has the best air conditioning. Because I was there in January, that wasn't an issue for me. Also, Hotel Julia has small rooms, but so do many hotels. You might want to check on room size for each hotel if that matters to you. I found that the street Hotel Julia is on is very quiet, which will be great for summer nights.

Yes, I did confirm they have airconditioning in the queen size room. The size doesn't matter too much too me b/c to be honest, we will be out most of the time! I will give my report on the hotel when I return. The good news is they provide shuttle service to and from the airport for only 14 euros - reall good deal!

Have a wonderful summer everyone!

indovina, I used the Hotel Julia shuttle from the airport, too. It is a great price. But be aware of this: my driver was really a creep-- he dropped me off at the bottom of the hill, with all my bags, by myself, and told me the hotel was right there. Well, it was right there somewhere, like UP the hill about a block at least! What a jerk. I guess he was too lazy to circle around and come down the one-way street, to drop me right in front of the door, like taxis would do.
So, I cursed him while I (jet-lagged from flying from Denver via D.C. and Frankfurt) schlepped my carry-on, my backpack, and my gargantuan rolling bag up that hill, bumping over cobblestones, etc.
Don't let him pull that trick on you!
At least I didn't tip the creep, before I knew he'd pulled a fast one on me.

Thanks Maureen for the advice...they're so wise, he probably wanted to be paid to drive up the hill! Did you complain to the hotel?

Where did you find the shuttle exactly at the airport? The hotel was a bit vague and I want to make sure I know where I am going when I get out of the arrivals area. Thanks!

Indovina, here's what my hotel told me in advance: "The shuttle bus is available from  7.45 am to 10.00 pm and leaves every 45 minutes  and the voucher can be taken at the desk of Hotel Reservation located in International Arrival Terminal. "
With that sketchy information, I found it no problem, believe it or not! Did your hotel direct you to the same general desk?
(Yes, I did complain to the hotel desk, for what it was worth. At least it helped me to vent!)

Duh, I forgot you're at Hotel Julia, too. Jeez, must be the heat!

I'm back and Hotel Julia was excellent. I highly recommend it and it was perfect for my husband and I. Read my Trip to Rome report on this web site, I give all the details about the hotel.