Booked (back in January) before I started reading incessantly up on Rome, a room at the Hotel Hermitage in the Parioli district in Rome! This area of Rome appears on none of the travel maps I have seen. I am beginning to wonder how far from the City center I really am??
I was wondering if any intrepid Fodorites new any info about this area in Rome or the Hotel in particular. Cheers!!

My hotel (Polo) was in Parioli. It's on the northwest side of the Villa Borghese park, a little ways from the city center but not too far. It's one stop away from the Flaminio metro station on the train, and from Flaminio you can walk pretty much anywhere in the historic center (Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain etc.)
Parioli is actually a really nice residential neighborhood that's peaceful and quiet at night. There aren't too many restaurants but quite a few little markets.

We also stayed in Parioli at the Villa Glori which was about a mile from the Flaminio stop BUT there was an electric tram/train right at the corner on which trains circuit all day and late into the night. The tram will bring you just outside the wall to Piazza del Popolo and across the street from Flaminio as well.

I had never been to Rome (and just one trip to London/Paris/southern France the year before) and it was a life-long dream come true. We arrived at our hotel at 4:00 pm on a drizzly day; tired and excited and knowing it was too early to go to sleep for the night. We decided to take a walk and headed towards the city and in no time, there we were. I can't explain, but still can feel, the excitement of seeing that huge wall and then passing through the arch to what became "our" piazza. We strolled there, admiring the fountains and statues and decided to climb the stairs that traveled up above the piazza to (what we later learned was) the Pincio Gardens. Despite the weather there were many people outside enjoying the park or having fun at the carnival which was set up nearby. From there we had our first view across the city to the dome of St. Peters. It was magical!

You're right, most of the tourist maps don't feature that neighborhood and I went through the same thing with wondering just where we would be! I agree with martytravels, Parioli is a great neighborhood. After spending from 8 am to 8 pm wandering around the city we'd arrive back in the neighborhood and stop for pizza or other take-away food to bring back to the hotel. At one groceria I empathized with an older gentleman who struggled with making change for Euros (this was last year). We felt like "regulars" and were treated respectfully on just our second night of shopping in the neighborhood.

Thanks for bringing your question to Fodors--I got to relive my vacation!

We stayed in Parioli several years ago and found it very pleasant. We ate most of our evening meals in the area. After sightseeing in the better known areas of the city, we would return to our hotel to rest, and then start walking in the evening. We'd walk until we found a place to eat that looked interesting. Never saw a menu in English. Had wonderful meals at reasonable prices.

It isn't central, but if you don't mind not being able to step out of your hotel and walk to the sights of Rome, then it is fine.

Have stayed at the Aldrovandi Palace in Parioli several times..the neighborhood is in many ways very upscale (for Rome) and basically residential. There ARE restaurants, markets, etc., but you may have to wander a bit to find some of them. The section used to have a lot of "diplomatic" types in the residences..wonderful for walking to view some of the larger residential buildings and it is adjacent the Borghese gardens and the zoo. If you're on that side of the district it can be a pleasnat walk down to the top of the Via Veneto, the Borghese Gallery, etc.
Last time I was there it was August and a great many of the homes were shuttered and I suspect many residents were on holiday..made it a little quieter than usual.
All in all this is NOT going to be the place to stay if you're one of those who just HAS to be near the Spanish Steps or one of the other foci of tourism. Quiet and refined is the best way I can describe the area.