We have a party of 6 (3 couples) who are going to stay in Rome for 3 nights in October, before going to a villa in Positano.

Many of the apartments and B&B's that are large enough and have pretty good reviews (in Venere.com) are located in Esquilino. Is that a good / acceptable area to base ourselves out of?

Also, another major travel site has recommended the Hotel della Muse as a really good bargain, but it is located north of the Villa Borghese in Parioli. Is that too far out?

Thanks,
Randy

blackbr, have you done a search for Parioli? I have at least one post on the area. I'm sure the Hotel della Muse has also been discussed, search for it too.

Is blackbr for black bear, as in Maine?

Esquilino is the name of the quarter where Stazione Termini is located.
The area around the station is not that elegant neighbourhood, lots of hotels (from 1 to 3 stars), but it is safe as all the area has an high police control.
Around Piazza Vittorio , it becomes an indian and chinese area I would not recommend.
The part of Esquilino between Via Merulana and the Colosseum is a good place to stay in. Nice neighbourhood and ease to move towards the tourist targets.
Parioli is a fascinating and upper class quarter with nice buildings dated since the end of 19th century.
It could be less easy to go to your places of interest . A bus ride during daytime and a taxi at night are not that problem after all.

I stayed at Hotel Polo in the Parioli neighborhood. The Cottral train (from the Euclide station in Parioli) connects with the Flaminio metro station (one stop down). From Flaminio, you can take the metro or walk. Piazza Flaminio is the beginning of the historic district, and leads to the Piazza de Espana and the Corso, off which practically all the famous sights are located (save for the Colosseum and Forum)

The Esquilino aerea is very convenient also.... Very close to Santa Maria Maggiore, Via Cavour and Via Nazionale... From there is a nice walk to the Roman Forum and Piazza Venezia...Also is close to Piazza Vittorio, famous outdoor market....The Parioli aerea is much quieter and farther to the sights...Mostly depends where the apt. is located, because it is a large quartier...but very chic also...

so, blackbr, just give us the address