My husband and I are going to be in Rome from December 26-29. We are looking for a clean, safe hotel close to major attractions for about $100 a night. Any suggestions? Thanks.

You'll want to start thinking in euro... so ~80/night

welcome to Fodor's!

The Beehive is pretty good, according to reports.
http://www.the-beehive.com/

Various convents would work. See numerous other postings on this forum.

Hi - I stayed at the Hotel Julia last year. I think it meets your requirements. I just checked their website and it looks like they have some booking specials.

http://www.hoteljulia.it/

I very much doubt two people will get a room for 80 Euros at Hotel Julia. That said, I agree it's a good choice based on my experience there.

Sorry, I read their special offers incorrectly - it is 88 euros for a double with a queen-size bed. It doesn't say when the special rates are good but it might be worth the extra 8 euros per night.

Dec. 26 - 29 is part of a high season interval. After January 6 would be low season, and 88 Euros per night might be possible then. But then again, the Hotel Julia management does grant discounts now and then, so it might be worth a try.

http://www.accommodationinrome.com/

I stayed at the Aphrodite last Christmas season, when I wanted to be right by Termini since I was taking daytrips to Naples and Florence. It was far, far better than I could have reasonably expected, and its very convenient.

Actually, the Aphrodite is Euro 120. I don't think you're going to find a hotel (convent or hostel, maybe) in Rome for $100.

We stayed at the Pensione Panda near the Spanish Steps for 90E per night. We found it very decent for the price, and the location was excellent. Also heard good things about The Beehive or you could try convents, as one of the posters above has suggested.

The hotel Florida near the Vatican might fit your price range. It occupies 2 floors of a larger building. There are a number of bus routes and the underground nearby. It is a 2 star. Rooms are nicely furnished and decorated and very clean. We found the desk staff to be helpful. There is no breakfast.

I've stayed at the Panda several times but NEVER agree to what they call a "small room". They sent me to the Pensione Paradiso when they were full a couple of years ago. I had a clean little room for 32 euro per night! You might inquire.

Thanks everyone for your input. We decided to use our Hilton Honors points and are staying at the Hilton airport hotel. Now...I need to find a hotel in Naples or Sorrento for about $100 a night.

You may want to start a new post with your Naples and Sorrento question as the title.

The airport is not close to most attractions; it really isn't even close to Rome. You probably will spend more on transportation than the cost of a hotel in Rome. Just a thought.

I've stayed at the Panda also. It isn't a luxury establishment but certainly met my needs. http://www.hotelpanda.it/englishpnd/basestart.asp

It doesn't take much, in transportation costs and your own waste of time, to negate any perceived $ savings when you stay at a hotel so far away from what you want to see and do every day.

HBS, although I think that there is a lot to be gained from being right in the thick of things, I would not consider your decision to opt for the points subsidized Hilton a bad choice at all. (thought you are goingto get a lot of disagreement.

Two reaons: the first is that this is a lovely relaxing hotel with a great FREE shuttle service in and out of Rome ...if you are organized as to timing, you won't really miss out seeing, doing and eating what you want.

The second is that for first timers (which I gather you are) you might find Rome overwhelming. I remember we did the first trip. In time, we came to love the city and wouldn't stay anywhere else but our beloved Hotel Sonya right near the Opera.

Now as to Naples, PLEASE use all your Rome hotel savings to opt for something decent there as a good hotel in Naples is more of a security necessity than a luxury. And, yes, do post a separate question.

But that first time, we stayed at the Holiday Inn near the airport and it turned out to be a good choice for us.

Thanks everyone! About how far would you say the airport is from the center city?

LJ- Thanks for your response. The reason I decided to book the Hilton was because it did offer the free shuttle service into the city. The hotel advertises that it is 30 minutes away from the city...but I know sometimes they advertise things just to get you to book with them. We don't mind waking up a little early to compensate for being 30 minutes away from town.

I will take your advice about Naples and spend a little more on a hotel there for safety reasons. Thanks!

30 minutes with no traffic is about right. Probably 30-45 minutes would be a good estimate.

In my opinion the problem with staying so far away is that it is a real pain to go back and rest a bit or get freshened up for dinner or stay out late.

HBS Also check the shuttle schedule if you can to see if it is one that you can be happy with.