PonyUp

We're heading to Rome May 25-June 4 with our 18 year old daughter and her 17 year old girlfriend and are looking for something that is nice and clean but inexpensive. Also, can anyone recommend which part of the city is best to stay in? Thanks for your help.

Vttraveler

Realrome.com is a very reliable agency with good, relatively inexpensive apartments. I would try the ones in the Navona or Campo dei Fiori areas.

Apres_Londee

I can second the recommendation for realrome.

charnees

You don't say how much you are willing to spend. We stayed in an apartment on Via Giulia halfway between Castel St. Angelo and Campo de'Fiori that cost 140 euros a night. That's close to $185.

If you want a cheap apartment you may have to stay outside the historic center. Look for Trastevere neighborhood apartments. Trastevere is the area across the Tiber (Tevere) river from the center, and south of the Vatican. You might have to hop on a bus to get to the main sights, but buses run often and you can buy a bus pass to save money. It's a much more residential area and more interesting in many ways.

petunia0409

I would recommend sleepinitaly.com - the Falegnami is a great place - near the campo di fiore and a real bargain.

PonyUp

Thanks for all your feedback. I found this apartment at a very good price 106 Euros but am not sure if it is a good neighborhood. Does anyone know the area - Prati? http://Realrome.com/propcesare1bed.html

Apres_Londee

That would be near the Vatican, not a bad neighbourhood I'm sure but not exactly central to the main sites either. I think you'd be happier in the Historic Centre, especially on a first trip.

I stayed in this apartment over New Year's:

http://realrome.com/propreginella1.html

It's about 15 euro a night more expensive but you can walk nearly everywhere. The Jewish Ghetto itself is wonderful.

PonyUp

Thanks Apres for the suggestion. The apartment looks nice and I like "talking" to someone who's already stayed there, but I couldn't find this apartment on the Realrome.com page so couldn't get the name to check it out. Do you know the name of the apartment? PonyUp

Vttraveler

Apres Londee and I actually stayed at the same apartment in the Ghetto (two years apart). It is a 2 BR, one BR with twin beds, so it might work for you. there is only one bathroom.
If you look at the web site it is called Portico Reginella in the Campo area. It is just south of Piazza Mattei. The link she gave you should work but if not just go to realrome.com and find the listing.
I think teenage girls would enjoy this neighborhood more than the Prati which is a nice residential part of the city but far from major sights.

PonyUp

Vttraveler, Thanks for the name of the apartment. That's what I needed.

Vttraveler

If you look at Apres Londee's trip report there is some discussion of the apartment and at Jan. 10 entry a link to her pictures of Rome which include shots of the apartment and the neighborhood.

PonyUp

You've all been so helpful and I appreciate it greatly. Unfortunately, I've just realized we can now NOT stay in this apartment because I've told "the world" our dates and where we would be staying with two teenage girls. What an idot I am! Has anyone seen the movie "Taken"? That's enough to make you stay home with your daughters... Ah....what to do now.....

sacc

Pony, you must be joking about "Taken," yes? You're not really afraid someone is going to snatch two young adults from central Rome?

Don't forget, these rental apartments make public the street name but not their exact address. There are literally dozens and dozens of apartments in the neighborhood of Piazza Mattei (where families, young and old) live. No one but your landlord would know precisely where you're at.

Secondly, you're looking to book mere weeks from now -- chances are, a lot of places -- including this one -- will be already reserved (in case you seriously fear it has been compromised.)

Please don't fret too much about safety, I'm a young-ish woman who travels alone all the time, eight trips to Rome so far with my ninth coming up in June. Other than a few concerns about pickpockets, Rome is quite safe.

PonyUp

sacc, Thank you for your advise. It does make me feel a LOT better. I'll keep looking for other apartments though... just in case ;-)

jammac

Bed & Breakfast Association of Rome has both B&B and Apartment rentals in all areas and prices.Very helpful too.
Perhaps a B&B would give you a safer atmosphere?

sacc

Pony, I'm sorry I didn't actually answer your original question about where to stay in Rome. I think the historic centre -- Piazza Navona, Campo de'Fiori, the Jewish area, even out to the Colosseum -- is really the best. It's a bit more expensive (because it's the best location, in my opinion!) But it gives you so much more freedom because you can easily walk to the main sights, and it feels safe -- day or night -- since there are always so many others out strolling. It's handy if someone in your group is tired and wants to return to the apartment/hotel for a few hours, or if your girls want to go shopping on their own for a while. Everyone can easily go their own way and meet back the room later. (Taking a few cellphones that work in Europe would also make things easier for you!)

I have a favourite hotel, but last year I rented a wonderful apartment for two weeks from Natalia at DolceRoma (http://www.dolceroma.it/) I stayed in her Campo de'Fiori apartment, which actually has 2 bathrooms and 2 bedrooms, so good for a family.

Natalia and her husband have four or five apartments in Rome, and managing these is their full-time jobs. She is terrific to work with, especially if you're a bit nervous about the city. She gives her guests a cell phone to use, if they need to call her (or anyone else) and she phoned me almost daily when I rented from her just to say hi and see if there was anything I needed.

She also provides an enormous amount of useful information about sites to visit, restaurants in the neighborhood, where to shop -- all kinds of support. Her English is fantastic (she is a retired flight attendant.)

Anyway, good luck with your planning and I hope you have a great trip.

PonyUp

Thank you sacc for your suggestion and comments. Their apartments look very nice and I have written to them with a request.

daveesl

PonyUp, do not be concerned about kidnappings or such in most European cities. I live north of Orlando and can tell you that you have a far better chance of being robbed or shot near MickeyLand than in Rome.

That doesn't mean these are utopias, but violent crime is far less than in almost any American city. Pickpockets, scam artist, sure. Robbed at gunpoint, probably never. As with any location, be safe and observant. Don't let handbags swing off your arm. Don't flash wads of cash. Don't hold cameras by their little thin straps while walking.

Most of all, enjoy this trip.

delvino

Folks,

I do not want to unwarrantly alert anyone, but I and my young niece nearly fell into a trap where we would have been abducted. I take full responsibility as my Chicago street smarts were certainly not working on that day. My husband came from a shop he'd been in, saw what was going on and abruptly put a stop. The fellow took off in his car immediately.

This was in Rome, buy the Cat Sanctuary, and I do believe this could have happened in any city in the world. Never let your guard down.