How is the area around the Termini Station? I hear it's a little spooky and not necessarily very clean. Any answers?

East and south makes me a bit uncomfortable. Directly south is not too bad, though we don't find it a suitable area to stay because it's a bit off-center, and lacks restaurants to some degree. <BR> <BR>To the north and west is okay, though again it's not where we'd prefer to stay. <BR> <BR>Right around the station is like right around any tourist/traveler center in the world. Keep eyes on your baggage and other belongings. Heck, if you made a living as a thief would you hang around a kindergarten or a place where the jet-setters congregate. <BR> <BR>Can't tell you about spooky ... couldn't recognize a CIA agent if I stumbled over her. I've never noticed cleanliness is a problem. <BR> <BR>Ed

East and south makes me a bit uncomfortable. Directly south is not too bad, though we don't find it a suitable area to stay because it's a bit off-center, and lacks restaurants to some degree. <BR> <BR>To the north and west is okay, though again it's not where we'd prefer to stay. <BR> <BR>Right around the station is like right around any tourist/traveler center in the world. Keep eyes on your baggage and other belongings. Heck, if you made a living as a thief would you hang around a kindergarten or a place where the jet-setters congregate. <BR> <BR>Can't tell you about spooky ... couldn't recognize a CIA agent if I stumbled over her. I've never noticed cleanliness is a problem. <BR> <BR>Ed

It is a little dark and a little seedy. There are a fair amount of hucksters, gypsies, etc. there. Watch your wallet. <BR>a cheap but nice place near the spansih steps is the Trinta de Monte. If the husband and wife owners don't keep you up with their fighting!!

The area around the station can be a little iffy, but we stayed at the Kennedy Hotel nearby and it was very nice. The public rooms were very nice. Our room was quite large and looked out over the park grounds with a bit of antique Roman wall able to be seen. Included breakfast too. We enjoyed several restaurants nearby as well.

Judy. Have you heard of Hotel Papa Germano? It's Northeast of the Station about four blocks. Thanks

We stayed at the Hotel Rex on Via Torino, south of the Termini and had no problems. Not only were we satisfied with the hotel, the area was safe and convenient--two blocks from the termini and metro, ndear many bus stops, close to many restaurants and other services.

There's a permanent police station at Termini, and I noticed a great improvement in the lack of people hanging around since the police station was set up. <BR> <BR>But there are still people partying at the metro Termini station on Friday and Saturday Nights. This will affect you only of your staying in the Termini area and arriving back late from a weekend night out. <BR> <BR>As a rule, the Termini area isn't bad. Alot better than it used to be. It was a pleasant surprise on my last trip.

No, Mike, I have not heard of that hotel. Sorry.

http://www.pathfinder.com/travel/TL/tarticles/1692.html <BR> <BR>This is an article in this month's Travel & Leisure which talks about San Lorenzo (the neighborhood behind Termini) as the "next great neighborhood."

Didn't Termini Station just get a big face lift? With a piano player and everything? Or am I just dreaming of Rome again? Let me research my newsletter tonight.

Yes, Termini did get a major facelift along with better connections to the Da Vinci airport, better food, improved security, and a piano player during lunch hour(s). Don't know if this affected the area surrounding it, but it sure can't hurt. I've avoided the station in the past, but now I think I won't next time I'm in Rome.

Has anyone stayed at the Hotel Villafranca (Best Western)northeast of the station?

I would avoid the area around the terminal. I don't think it is very attractive. Why not stay near the Piazza Navona which is more central? There are lots of hotels around there. My friend stayed in the inexpensive Hotel Marcus and said it was decent. On the otherhand what about the Hotel Due Torri which is very centrally located between the Piazza Navona and Spanish Steps.? The staff is very friendly, the bathrooms are modern and the rooms are quiet. The hotel also includes a nice continental breakfast with the rate. <BR> <BR>For links to the Due Torri and Hotel Marcus, pictures and other stuff about Rome, check out my websight! It not completely finished but the Rome path is ready. <BR> <BR>http://home.earthlink.net/~richardab/ <BR> <BR>Follow the path Enter&gt;Fly&gt;Europe&gt;Rome <BR> <BR>Enjoy!

About two years ago we stayed at Hotel Noto, about three blocks from the station along the road on "its left" if you are looking at the tracks. The hotel was perfectly OK, as was the area in general. We had just a short walk to either the Termini or the Repubblica subway stations. And we also walked back from the "city" several times late at night w/o any problems. <BR>Just beware of people inside the station offering taxi services, hotel recommendations, etc. - they hit you when you've just arrived.