tleila

Hello, I've relied on Fodor's forum recommendations before to my benefit and am now hoping you can help me again. I'm going to Rome for the first time in late Feb 2006. I'm a single woman, traveling alone. Looking through reviews on venere.com and tripadvisor.com as well as these forums, I've narrowed down my budget hotel choices to the following:

Hotel Giuliana, Via A. Depretis 70, 2 star - 7 days @ EU 550 / US $ 670 though Venere.com
Hotel Italia, Via Venezia 18, 2 star - 7 days @ EU 420 / US $ 510 though Venere.com
Hotel Tirreno, Via San Martino ai Monti 18, 3 star - 7 days @ EU 330 / US $ 410 though Venere.com

I'm leaning toward the Tirreno because of the price differential, though I have to wonder why a 3 star would be so much less than the two 2 star hotels. They're all north and west of the Termini station, say they're walking distance to all attractions (except Vatican) and they all have some negative reviews mixed in with the positive ones.

My questions:
I'll be returning to the hotel alone, at night. Is this a safe location? Women who know the area: would you feel safe/ comfortable here?
Have you stayed at any of these hotels? Would you stay there again?

Betsy

Would you consider staying in a convent? I stayed at Istituto Santa Giuliana last spring. The location, near Piazza Navona, was perfect (better than the Termini area) as was the welcome our group received there. Sister Kathryn, born in the US, is a total gem. You don't have to be Catholic to stay there. There may be a curfew, but since they've hired a man to sit at the desk at night, you may be able to stay out as late as you want.

The rooms are spartan, but clean. There is a sink and bidet in each room. The shower and toilet are in the hall, but there are several on each floor and there was never a problem with being able to use one whenever I wanted.

Here's the contact info:
Instituto Santa Giulianna Falconieri
Via Calasanzio, 1
00186 Roma, Italy
tel: 06/68803344
fax: 06/6871471
email: [email protected]

Type the name of the convent into the search box at the top of the page, and many relevant posts will appear from the archives about the facility.

Betsy

Single rooms were about 45 Euro/night, including a continental breakfast.

tleila

Thank, I'll definitely look into the convent. Money is a concern, of course; I've a finite budget and the more I save on lodging, the more I have to spend on fun.

SeaUrchin

I go to Rome on solo trips sometimes and frankly I would not want to return late at night to a hotel by Termini.

imanta

Hi! I just wanted to add in my experiences of traveling in Rome with my twin sister. I have been to Rome 3 times---once with my family when I was a teenager, once with a boyfriend, & then once with my twin sister when we were 26 yrs old. The first 2 times I had no significant problems, but the time when I was alone with my sister we got a significant amount of harassment from men. To the point where we were ready to leave the city & actually did up going to the coast where it was, for some reason, much better (although we also met 2 guys there that we hung out with the rest of the time so that may have been why). I was just kind of stunned at the difference we noticed as solo female vs. with a male with us. We didn't necessarily feel in danger, but we did have times of discomfort & persistent men even after trying to firmly say we were not interested. I would just be aware of this possibility & know that what you may think is a friendly, but firm statement of disinterest may not be taken as such. We had one man in a car follow us & stop to talk to us three separate times even after firm rejection & then ignoring. I do want to say though that in general we did love Rome & it was a friendly, wonderful city. Just a completely different experience as 2 young women.

msfelithatsme

I was a solo female traveler in Rome this past summer and I must agree that the area surrounding the Termini was a bit on the shady side, especially at night but sometimes during the day as well. Walking to my hostel near the termini i was almost robbed by a young boy and i was also followed at around 5 am when i was walking to the termini to catch a train to the airport. I don't mean to scare you, but it is definitley worth mentioning that you should be on extreme alert for theives while walking around there. Rome was one city where I made sure I wore my money belt every time I left the hostel. Nonetheless I will definitley be returning to Rome just this time just a little more aware!!

rkkwan

We were in Rome 12/25-29, staying at the Hotel Sonya on Via Viminale, directly across from the Opera House. It's pretty close to your first two choices.

I find that direction from Termini very safe, day or night. Somewhat quiet during the Christmas week, but never saw anything remotely shady.

SusanP

I also recommend Istituto Santa Giuliani Falconieri. Fabulous location, much better than near Termini. Note, though, that all rooms do NOT have a sink and bidet. I was just there in Sept, and my single room did not. I never would have stayed anywhere with a shared bath before, but did so due to the wonderful location with an elevator at that price, and the shared bath was really not bad at all.

Like any big city, just be aware of your surroundings. I was in Italy for 18 days alone, including 5 nights in Rome, and never felt unsafe.

Eloise

Another vote for the area in general and for Istituto Santa Giuliana Falconieri in particular.

The area is so much more convenient to everything you might want to see in Rome, and it is full of restaurants and cafes, so that there are many people on the streets late into the evening.

WillTravel

One hotel people have mentioned lately is Hotel Giardino, which is pretty conveniently located and not near Termini.

I liked Hotel Julia - http://www.hoteljulia.it . You might be able to get a reduced rate for the single, economical rooms and you will get a quiet street in a nice, convenient area.

I didn't stay near Termini, but I have read several accounts of women who did and who then felt discouraged from pursuing night-time activities, knowing they'd have to return to a not-so-nice area later.

Another option:
http://www.hotelpanda.it right near the Spanish Steps.

With any of these hotels, or with the convent mentioned, you would be able to avoid the need for cabs. Returning to Termini late at night might mean you would want one otherwise.

WillTravel

Another convenient hotel often mentioned is Hotel Parlamento.

laartista

hi
I've been to rome 4 times alone and always stay at the hotel concordia located between the spanish steps and trevi fountain. I've always felt safe walking around there at night. I don't think i would stay near the train station.

lyb

Another vote against the Termini area. When I went to Rome, I was there only 2 1/2 days, my first time in Europe and with an escorted tour. The hotel was wonderful, felt perfectly safe during the day, but being a single female traveler, I wouldn't feel comfortable walking around that area at night.

There's so many other areas, that I would keep looking if I were you.

AyQuehago

hello I'm in a bad situation right now. I was supposed to meet a friend in rome but she backed out. I already bought my tx and now I'm wondering if I should go to Rome alone. I have a return flight from barcelona since we were planning to go there also....can someone give me some advice? I am really freaking out on the idea to going to Rome and Barcelona all on my own....what should I do?

WillTravel

Many women go to Rome and Barcelona alone with no more problems that can occur in any city. I'm sure with reasonable good sense you will be fine. Have you found a place in Rome? Maybe post a separate thread about Barcelona if you want advice on the best location.

eternalburg

I have to also go against the Termini are. In february it will get dark pretty early and you evn 9pm will seem pitch dark to be going around termini. I have been in Rome for 2 years and the only time I came close to being pick pocketed was at Termini! Also if you ask me its not that central to all the sites. I would definitely opt for the convents which are so centrally located, though as far as i know curfew is at 10:30 so not too bad specially since you'll be freezing after that anyways!!

prhirsch

I have never counted, but can't resist.
Us, Canada, Mexico, Belize, Argentina, Uruguay, Bahamas, Australia, New zealand, French Polynesia, China, Thailand, hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Israel, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, England, Ireland, france, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Vatican city. 33 so far.

Can't wait to go to Turkey and Croatia.

travelbunny

..re Termini..as a solo female I would vote no. You (or at least I) would take the subway to the major sights. Walking in the evening from the subway through to the RR station was a bit frightening. In the off hours not empty. I did not like the feeling and would not do it again. To the traveller who has to go to Barcelona and Rome alone as her travel companion backed out..no worries. Barcelona is great (though I would avoid the Ravello). Look over you hotels. Where are they? (and can you change for another area if necessary)..You can have a great (and sometimes better) trip on your own.

travelbunny

..whoops should read in the off hours quite empty