I have been reading so much information here but still need help with where to stay in Rome. We will be there for three nights in mid-Nov. We are an active couple in our late 30s. We would like to stay somewhere close to sights but are not opposed to walking. We would love a neighborhood feel with good restaurants and atmosphere. As to budget we would like to spend no more than $250 per night. Thanks for your advice.

This is the deal: best area to stay to be close to sights is Centro Storico, typically portrayed as anywhere within 1/4 mile radius of Piazza Navona. The best restaurants are in the Trastevere area, sort of south Rome/by the Tiber River. If you can find a hotel for that money (likely for a Mid-Nov stay), then stay around Centro Storico, taxi/bus to Trastevere for dinner. There you are done, stop the dilly-dally, Nov is here

Check our Arco de Lauro and Hotel Santa Maria, both in Trastevere for a neighborhood that meets your desires. This is an active area with lots of cafes and restaurants.

You can check rates at Albergo Cesare and Albergo Santa Chiara in the Pantheon area for a central location.

I also like the area around the Borghese Gardens.

Make a list of the things you want to see most of all and then decide where to stay.

For example, if your priorities are to see the Vatican, the Colosseum, the Forum, and the Borghese Gallery, there is really no reason to stay in the historic district. You would want to stay somewhere along the Metro line.

If you want to see the Pizza Navona, The Pantheon, the Campo Fiori, the Doria-Pamphilj Gallery, then stay in the historic district.

If you want to shop, see the Spanish Steps and Santa Maria del Popolo, go to the Borghese Gardens and Borghese Gallery, then stay somewhere near the Via Condotti/Spanish Steps.

Thin

http://www.hotelgenioroma.it/index-eng.html
steps from Piazza Navona
rooftop terrace
good breakfast
one of the best pizza places around the corner
November rate aroud $156 for double

http://www.albergocesari.it/
steps from the Pantheon
beautiful roof-top terrace
very close to Trevi Fountain also
November rate around $178 for classic double

Have a wonderful vacation

We stayed at the Hosianum Palace in June. The location is great, near the Piazza Venetia and within easy walking distance of everything, with the exception of the Vatican - we took a bus there. The hotel is fairly new and is in a wonderful historic building (www.hosianum.com). Breakfast is included and the hotel will be well within your budget in November as they have a 30% discount up to Christmas. We particularly loved the roof top garden, where we had drinks each evening before going out to eat. In the summer breakfast is served there. I highly recommend this hotel.