we like to stay right by the spanish steps-- as you can walk in any direction and see amazing sights. (well-- i guess that's true for all of rome...)
we stayed at the town house spagna last time-- but it is not for first-timers.

my dear friend recently stayed at HOMS hotel which is right there. it's small, but has a classy feel. (i did a walk-by.)

now-- this friend of mine is in her 70's and is well travelled-- and has MUCH higher hotel standards than i have. (and a much higher budget.) she and her friend LOVED the HOMS and, surprisingly, it's pretty affordable. just a random search for august 21-24 shows 383E for the 3 nights.

Check out BW Hotel Astrid, we're also staying there in August, in a triple room for under 100 euro per night, free wifi, free breakfast, and coffee, water, snacks all day. I booked it a couple months ago after extensive research. My understanding is it's in a relative central location, and has great reviews on tripadvisor.

I know its been said, but you really should look into apartments. I used VRBO.com. I stayed in Parioli. 2 min walk to bus stop and subway to city centre. We stayed 9 nights for 440.00 euro. My "landlord" hired a car for us from the airport, gave us a local cell phone to use, had refreshments in the apartment when we arrived. Had a lot of maps/guides/suggestions. Made reservations for us before we came at a couple different attractions. You can't beat that service.

Hotel Astrid will presumably work with transport links, but it's not at all central. You can see that for yourself by looking at this table of distances on its website:

http://www.hotelastrid.com/roma-%2clocation-it.html

Karina, to help you get around on your own, buy everyone a RomaPass, at one of the museums (not the Vatican: that's a different government). The places where you can buy it are on the Internet. You not only get the museum benefits, but also free bus transportation for the three days. when we had the passes four years ago, there was a great booklet that came with it that had a map of the bus routed that was pretty easy to follow. I hope someone who has used one recently will confirm that the map is still provided.

In Rome, in the tourist areas, many, many people, including most shop owners and restaurant workers, speak some English, and can be very helpful. Although, the saying is that the best way to start an argument in Italy is to ask for directions. Everyone will have a different idea.

To learn a little Italian, download the free 5-minute lessons at mydailyphraseitalian.com to an MP3 player. I think there are 100 lessons and you will at least have some basics.

If you stay in the Campo dei Fiori or elsewhere in central Rome, you won't need to use public transportation for the major sights of Rome; you can walk. So instead of being stuck on a bus or an subway (watch your wallet), you can sightsee as you walk, passing the odd Roman ruin or interesting shop. If your mother gets tired, pick up a taxi to get back.

Karina,

I have been to Rome several times, and the last 2 times have stayed at a wonderful, very centrally located hotel--Albergo Del Senato. There are numerous other threads on this forum that recommend it as well. It would normally be way out of the price range you've given, however, I just checked their website to see what their prices are in August (typically less). They have a summer special discount if you stay at least 4 nights. I randomly chose an arrival date of Aug 14. I chose 2 rooms (they were all booked on triples, and I think their triples are very small anyway). The price they quoted was 756.80 euros per room, for 4 nights. While that's still over your price range, it's pretty reasonable, so I thought I'd mention it in case you are able to increase your budget. I absolutely love, love this place for the location (right in the Piazza della Rotunda, which is the same small piazza where the Pantheon is located--and they have a small roof-top bar--very quiet--that provides amazing views, including over the roof of the Pantheon, which is literally diagonally adjacent to the hotel) and the wonderful, helpful friendly front-desk staff. They really make guests feel at ease. They don't have much in the way of "amenities" (such as a restaurant) but they do have decent breakfast and, most importantly, as others have said, good A/C! The rooms are small-ish, but very thoughtfully laid out--they do not feel claustrophobic.

I am all for getting an apartment, and I agree that they can be a lot less expensive than a hotel, but I also understand wanting to be in a hotel for your first trip.

Enjoy your trip!

Rome hotel prices shocked me into renting an apartment for 3 for our first trip to Italy last October. I, too, was unsure which location to choose. We stayed just across the river from Campo dei Fiori (which we all loved) on the pedestrian Ponte Sisto in Trastevere. Very happy with the location just around the corner from an English language bookstore with a most helpful Irish proprietor. Bus #116 takes you near many must see sites. My husband recommends sturdy-soled shoes for dealing with the cobblestones, his new curse word.

Hello everyone,

Many thanks for your AMAZING feedback! Your help is something of a godsend -- I'm referring to this post more than my Rick Steves Rome guidebook

I'm looking into the hotels and apartments that everyone has mentioned. My list keeps getting longer, but it's definitely worthwhile. I've never posted a question to a travel forum before, and this first foray has changed the rest of my traveling days.

Thanks again... and keep them coming!

Has anyone stayed at:

Hotel Nazionale - recommended by Rick Steves

Red Apartment, Residenza Giubbonari - stumbled upon while checking out apartment reviews on www.slowtrav.com


Thank you!!

Hello everyone,

I am in the process of clinching an apartment in Campo dei Fiori (2 bedrooms, 2 bath) for 640 Euros for 5 nights. This seems like a screaming deal to me, and just wanted to get your opinion on whether or not it is? Reviews on www.slowtrav.com are good.

Many thanks!

Are you speaking of Residenza Giubbonari? It always gets excellent reviews. We had planned to stay there four years ago but were not able to at the last minute.

If not, which apt. are you asking about.

Hello charnees,

It is the "Green Frog" apartment in the same building as the Residenza Giubbonari. The apartment we wanted with them was booked, so the proprietor recommended the "Green Frog" apartment in the same building but owned by someone else. Good reviews on www.slowtrav.com also.

By the way, I am thinking of buying the Roma Pass for all of us. If you can recall any tips with the Roma Pass, I would greatly appreciate it.

Many thanks!!