Neither of these hotels is within 5 blocks of the train station, but both are in excellent, central areas. I'd say they were more like 1-2 miles from the train station. Why do you want to stay by the train station?

If you mean FCO as the airport, you could take the Leonardo Express from the airport (about 10 Euros each) to Termini station, and then take a taxi to your hotel. If you are staying at Parlamento, you could take the metro from Termini to Spagna, and walk a few blocks from there.

But now that Italian taxis are on a fixed fare basis from the airport, and I think there is a limousine service that you can prebook that only charges 35 Euros from the airport, you likely needn't fuss about with the above methods of transport.

Guidebook writer's tip:
The Residenza Canali is more of a B&B than a hotel. Its in an old building that was the family home, winding stairway up to the 2nd & 3rd floors. (they help with bags, but do pack light) Very well decorated and the best possible location for being smack in center (Piazza Navona) yet on a quiet street, almost exclusively pedestrian, antiques shops, restaurants. If you remember the scene in "Under the Tuscan Sun" where she gets lost, then picks up Marcello-it was filmed there.Check www.elegantetruria.com for articles on Rome, antiques, history.

Someone asked how I could find it noisy and I will mention that on the lower floors the walls are very thin and you can hear conversations in the next room and you can hear water in the pipes in the ceiling and walls. The staircase was right outside our door and has no buffer wall so when people walked up and down the stairs all night it echoed a lot.

WillTravel, I was thinking of the subway/metro when I said train. Thanks for clarifying.

We have had mixed results from taxis in foreign countries. Does the driver tell you what the fare to your destination will be when you enter the cab? Any recommendations on limousine services?

Thanks

We stayed at the Parlamento in March 2007. The building was under renovation (inside) and with a scaffolding in front of our window, which made it unpleasantly dark. Our room (no. 96) was very small. The walls could use a fresh coating of paint as they were damaged and dirty. The bed was good, the bathroom was smallish but okay and everything was kept clean.
However, we found 140 euro for our very small room to be much overpriced. Add 12 euro per day if you want A/C!
Staff were friendly and helpful.
And the location can't be beat, of course.

@ 2Travlrs
We used Rome Shuttle Limousine (not to be mixed with Rome Limousine Tours).
They charge 35 euro one-way for upto 3 people with luggage and you have to pay to the driver.
Very punctual service: our driver was already waiting for us in the arrivals hall at Fiumicino, holding a sign with our name. Also for our return he was at the hotel at 3 pm sharp, as we had ordered.
http://www.romeshuttlelimousine.com

I know that Residence Canali will help you arrange transportation to/from the airport, and otherwise will be able to tell you what the fare should be if you do it on your own.

Miriam & GoAway, thanks for info on transportation to hotel. Having limo svc would be much better than making our own way there. How long does it take to get to/from the airport?

We have heard from both hotels, & HP is cheaper by 40E.