I am a single female travelling alone to Rome. I'm looking for a good hotel, preferably quaint and charming, in a safe area very reasonably priced. So far shopping around, it looks like most hotels in my price range (2 star) are near (or a bit beyond) the train station, or on the other side of the river near St. Peter's Square. Are these good and safe locations for a single woman travelling alone? Any hotel recommendations?
debi
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Look at Hotel Panda.

debiness - check out www.venere.com, karenbrown.com, and fodors.com. All will have good suggestions at reasonable prices. good luck!
I am staying at Grand Relais vaticano about 8 blocks from the vatican for 99 euros a night soon. don't know if that's in your budget or not but it looks pretty comfy. when are you travelling and perhaps I can keep an eye out when I am there for you?

Debi:

When are you going? That can make a big difference in price.

I would stay away from the train station. St. Peter's square is in a more quiet area of Rome.

Check out this women-only hostel: Fosteria Orsa Maggiore, in Trastevere.
casainternazionaledelledonne.org

I have not stayed there but two of my girlfriends and I considered staying there this May; only reason we aren't going to is because we are also traveling with a married couple, and ultimately decided we all want to stay in the same hotel. I would definitely consider staying there on a future trip or if solo. It looks very nice on the website, and has rooms w/ or w/o bath, and meals available (and yoga classes and other fun stuff...)

Hi debiness, I have posted this before but will again.

A friend and I were planning to go to Rome and she wanted to get the least expensive room possible, with requirements of course. She found a hotel in the area of the train station.

My son-in-law, born and raised in Rome said an absolute "NO" to our staying within the area of the train station.

As it turned out we did not take the trip but if we had I would not have stayed in the area of the train station going by my SIL statements. I know others have and have been fine with the area but it reminds me of areas say in SF that I would not stay in that some think is acceptable.

Maybe the "innocence is bliss" idea. I like to know that where I am staying is as safe as I can get.

BTW, I believe it was GoTravel that was in Rome by herself and stayed in a place by the Via Veneto and was quite pleased with it. Do type her name into the search box here on Fodors for her thread. This might be a perfect place for you.

We stayed at a budget hotel- Hotel Kennedy near Termini in 2003 and (although admittedly was with husband) had no issues with security. There are so many people around - eating quite late at night - that I do not think you would have a problem unless you were coming back at 2 - 3 am walking - which I would not do anywhere really. It was very convenient - not quaint and charming perhaps but clean and OK room and bathroom, pleasant staff etc

debiness, I think LoveItaly might have meant me. I stayed at Hotel Julia (a 3* hotel) near the Via Veneto and was very happy with it. I was fine with what they call the "single, economical room". The location was excellent, the breakfast was very good, and the hotel has 24-hour desk service. Those were the things that mattered most to me. The room itself was quite small and plain, but it was clean and everything worked properly, and I had no complaints with it.

I have a question about staying near a train station in any city in Italy. This is it: How far away from the train station is considered "safe?"

For instance, there are some lovely hotels in Rome that are labeled as being in the termini area, but they are so far away, they are almost in another area.

How far away is far enough?

I think an even better question is "what does 'SAFE' really mean"?

Hi Debi,

I traveled solo to Rome in November and stayed in the Hotel Giardino http://www.hotel-giardino-roma.com/
I think it fits your requirements. It is located near the Quirinale Palace and a short walk to the Trevi and the Forum. The owner is English and offered great advice about navigating the city. I would stay there again.

Hi WillTravel, yes indeed I did mean you! Well I was "close" to the name but not close enough, LOL. I am glad you saw this thread.

Hotel Julia, yes that is where you stayed. And it sounded IMHO an excellent choice.

I am so glad that you saw this thread Will Travel.

So this is a hotel to check out debiness.

I_Am_Kane, my SIL has said several times that the area south of the train station is the worse.

The Hotel Julia sounds nice. We stayed in Prati which is closer to the Vatican but not right next to it. We walked from Prati up to Via Veneto. As I recall the Via Veneto is close to the Spanish Steps.

Everybody.... thanks for the responses. In my experience, areas near the train stations in large cities are usually seedier and not quite as safe. I will look into the hotels mentioned and keep on with my search. I guess I'm also having a hard time figuring out how big Rome is... for example, how long does it take to walk from the train station to the Spanish Steps? or from St. Peters Square to Piazza del Popolo? I will probably be there in October (high season for most hotels). I would prefer not to spend more than 100 euros for a single room (bathroom is a must!!). I'll keep a watch on this thread and truly appreciate all of your suggestions.
debi

Try the Aberdeen. 93 euros in Jan. Ministry of Defense in front of it so safety never an issue,although it is a few blocks from the train station. It is walkable to the historical area. Very clean, nice small hotel with a great staff. Fast food place with pizza right on the corner. Not far from bus stops amd very walkable to the train station. We met quite a few people in the hotel of all ages. Would be very good for a person traveling alone. Check it out on Trip advisor.com

I believe you can get a single at Residenza San Pantaleo for less than 100 euro. In my opinion it's the best value for a wonderful location,just a block from Piazza Navona, with great access to public transportation. I've stayed there a few times and can strongly recommend it.

Don't know how long you're staying in rome, but have you considered renting an apartment?

Also, check out B&Bs, like Banchi Vecchi, which is in the center of the city. http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/frame...ivecchi115.com

Ooops! I messed up that link. Here it is: www.banchivecchi115.com

Hi Debiness,

I also will be traveling solo - in September which is high season.

Based on recommendations here and good comments on Venere.com, I booked the Hotel Giardino - Rome. It's in the location I wanted and the price was right - 90E /night for a single.

There were several properties that could not be booked far in advance on venere.com, so I just contacted the hotels directly and was able to get eveything I wanted.
Buon viaggio!