dnvh

We'll finish our cruise early Wed morning and plan stay back for 3 days to explore Rome. I'm trying to decide if I should book hotel near FCO airport and take train into central Rome vs. staying near central Rome. Another area I'm considering is EUR area? There's a Holiday Inn (Eur Parco Dei Medici) there that looks fairly updated/clean and reasonable (111 euro/night). For those who have visited Rome recently - what are your thoughts ?

dutyfree

I work for the airlines and layover in Rome ALOT! Do not stay out by FCO or EUROPE as you will miss the whole Rome experience!
Plan to stay in the city center so that you can see everything when you want rather than relying on shuttle schedules,etc. The magic of Rome is strolling,stopping for a gelato,people watching,having a glass of wine and shopping with your sightseeing itinerary.Each day pick an area to explore and yes,Rome is safe-just watch your purse on the number 64 bus to the Vatican in high season as the pickpockets have a hey day with tourists not watching their valuables!
Go to Booking.com and Tripadvisor.com for the various hotels and see the areas with reviews of each place by real people.
I just discovered a great place last year in Camp de Fiori called Hotel Smeraldo. It is in a real neighborhood,close to the Pantheon,Piazza Navonna and the tram to Trestevere.It was really reasonable .and had two rooftop areas to sit with a glass of wine at night and listen to the sounds of Rome.
I have stayed at the Holiday Inn Medici before going to Sicily-it a business hotel with nothing around it. it is a sterile business hotel so don't ruin your trip to Rome staying there if you don't have to?

Another great hotel that our family has stayed at for over 15 years and is now a Rick Steve's favorite is Hotel Aberdeen on Via Torino-wonderful 3 star with a family staff that helps with your trip planning questions. Check out the reviews on Tripadvisor.

The Italians love children and families-enjoy this wonderful city and make history come alive for your kids!

jamikins

Absolutely agree with dutyfree!!! Dont stay out by an airport when visiting Europe - the time and money you will waste getting into centre are not worth it. Plus you lose all the atmosphere of being in an old European city.

willit

I agree with dutyfree and Jamikins. I was in Rome last month (I wrote a trip report - click my name to find it) and while EUR is interesting, it is not somewhere I'd choose to stay.

I don't think you need to be absolutely dead centre of Rome, but you'd want to be close enough so everything is walkable. We were 15 minutes walk from the Vatican and it was fine. Next time I might look at Trastevere as again, you are close enough to the main sights but still definitely "in Rome".

willit

I meant to add, in terms of Safer, I never felt unsafe in Rome, but possibly the closest I came was looking at signs in a Park near EUR which was appeared to be pointing out "safe zones and alarm points" - I am happy to be corrected as my Italian is poor.

loumartinez

Definitely, city centre. What you can do for comfort's sake is to book a hotel near the main train station, because you will arrive there from airport (unless you prefer to take a taxi but it is very expensive, about 40 Euros a couple of years ago). Hotel Raffaello http://www.hotelraffaello.it/positio...rome-colosseum half way between Colosseum and trian station.

phieaglefan

Defininitely stay in the center. Assuming you have three nights (not two), consider an apartment since you're staying with a family. We traveled with my Daughter, and got a spacious apartment right by Campo di Fiori for WAY less than a hotel, and in a much more central location than we could have afforded in a hotel. We only stayed for three nights, but it was so worth it.

I can't quite remember who we rented through, but it was one of the bigger agencies. It might have been sleepinitaly.com, but there are others as well.

Have fun,
H

tarquin

If you stay near the airport, your children will be weary and cheesed off before they even get into the city. And being able to have pit stops during the day is invaluable, even more so with kids.

barkingdonkey

We were there last summer and stayed at a b & b. the subway was literally outside the door. Wonderful for local flavor! Continental brfast included, safe neighborhood. The rooms were large and comfortable. prices were quite affordable (booked through venere but could've gone direct). The email is [email protected] One other thing, If you want to see all the highlights in a really fun way check out www.mybesttour.com It is a golf cart tour of Rome and is a great way to see all the highlights in one day.

dnvh

Thank you so much for the wealth of information from everyone. For those who stayed in a "triple room" before - how large is the double bed? Reason I ask is that most hotels would describe the triple room w/ beds "large double and 1 single" - not sure how accurate the "large double" compare to our regular double/full size bed in the states.

"Dutyfree" - I looked at both Hotel Smeraldo and Aberdeen Hotel and was wondering if you have to choose between the 2 based on your previous stays - which one would you go w/? Both hotels are quoting me approx 500 Euros for the 3 nights stay. Thanks.

ira

Hi EUR,

We stayed at the Holiday Inn (Eur Parco Dei Medici)for the night before leaving from FCO.

It was very nice. Excellent bkfst. Very good dinner.

That said, there was no advantage to not staying in the city.

tedgale

For 500 euros you can find a nice apartment for 3 nights at Sleep in Italy.

I just did a search, using Vatican/ Prati as the location (relatively central but less pricey than, say, Spanish Steps or Piazza Navona or Campo de' Fiori).

Lots on offer for a June date chosen at random.

dnvh

Hi Tedgale,

Thank you for the info on apartment. I didn't thought of it. The dates I need it for are 5/22 to 5/25 and just did a search and found a nice apartment for 415 euro (Labriola One - Vatican/ Prati area). How is staying in these apartment different than the hotel ?

nytraveler

The double beds will be regular double beds - not queen or king. Queen is usually found only in upscale rooms and a real king in europe is practically impossible to find.

indy_dad

Not addressing your lodging question directly, but perhaps the photos and tips will be helpful (from our trip in Oct 2011):

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...log-photos.cfm

tedgale

RE your question "Why an apartment instead of a hotel room?": 1. More space.
2. A kitchen - I really don't want to leave my own space until I have had breakfast and
3. We always rent apartments with a washing machine, which means we can cut in half the number of clothes we bring. (This may not be important to you if you are staying only 3 days at the very end of a trip)

tuscanlifeedit

dnvh: you ask how is staying in apartments different than a hotel. This is what I would say:

1. You won't have a front desk to help with anything. Many apartment owners and/or rental agencies will give you a phone number and assist you, but there really isn't anyone at hand.

2. You have to arrange your arrival.

3. No daily housekeeping or change of linens. You'll probably have to take out the trash and wash any dishes before you leave.

4. You'll have more room (most likely).

5. You will have a kitchen or kitchenette. I find this invaluable.

6. You have to do a little more planning to know where you're going and how to get around, as there won't be anyone at a desk to help you.

In Rome, you needn't worry about safety. It's not dangerous.

I suggest looking in the Vatican/Prati area and Trastevere for less expensive but still central apartments. Busses, trams, and the subway will help you get around.

tedgale

Within the price range you mentioned for the hotel room, you could also have these apartments:

http://www.sleepinitaly.com/rome/cam...=s#prettyPhoto

(2 bedrooms, great location. Kids would love being near the lively Campo de' Fiori)
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http://www.sleepinitaly.com/rome/pia...=s#prettyPhoto

(I've had my eye on this rather old-fashioned apartment. The neighbourhood, via della Croce, is fantastic. One sofa bed, one large bed separable into twins)
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http://www.sleepinitaly.com/rome/pia...=s#prettyPhoto

Smallish - but a great location near the Ara Pacis

annhig

Reason I ask is that most hotels would describe the triple room w/ beds "large double and 1 single" - not sure how accurate the "large double" compare to our regular double/full size bed in the states>>

the double is likely to be a standard 4'6" wide; the single 3', possibly 2'6".

I'm seconding the suggestions here to stay in the centre. for a 3 night trip I'm not sure I'd bother with an apartment but I would definitely try to stay as centrally as possible.

jgg

We just returned from our 4th trip to Italy (3rd to Rome), and I find that double bed often just means two twins put together which is closer to a Queen/King bed then an actual double.

Also, in the past we have always stayed near the Pantheon but this time stayed in an apt in Trastevere. We loved Trastevere, but for a first trip with young kids and only 3 days, I would spend the extra money and try to be even more central (Campo de Fiori, Piazza Navona, Pantheon). Just that much closer to everything, will be particularly helpful if kids need to head back for a small break.

BTW, we spent an afternoon exploring Prati on a food tour. It is a beautiful area but felt a little more Paris than Rome with the wider streets and trees. May not matter to you, but just an impression.