I've been posted many threads about our itinerary..and one poster had mentioned that my hotel is in a bad area and that he/she recommended we look for something else.
My husband and I are staying at the Ambra Palace Hotel in Rome. It's very close to the train staion and nothing else really.
We got a wholesale price from our travel agent at about 200Euro a night...roughly.
I'm not too worried becuase I know we'll usually take a cab to our destinations and walk most the day, then a cab back.
Has anyone stayed here? I wouldn't really want to start changing things around at this point....only 2 more weeks to go.
Any thoughts...opinions??

Thanks in advance,

Samantha

I stayed by Termini a couple months ago- nothing to be worried about. Two college girls and we felt perfectly safe.

As I stated on another post-I've walked all over central Rome, including Termini, late at night by myself with no problems. There is nothing to be afraid of in central Rome and this area-Termini is not the Termini of the 90's and before-some of the hippest new clubs and hotels are opening in the area, plus Termini Station itself is a great shopping destination and holds art exhibitions-it's an ideal area to walk to most of Rome's ancient sites, the beautiful Santa Maria Maggiore, great little restaurants-this is one of my favorite areas to stay in-Esquilino/Via Cavour/Nazionale.

There is no need to waste money on a cab in the daytime. Take the Metro or the bus, you'll be fine. Or just walk.

I agree with the others. I stayed near the train station and it was great. And it was safe and I liked eating and shopping at the train station. There several police officers hanging around there too. And don't forget you can catch a bus or train there to anywhere in italy. I thought that was pretty cool.

We stayed at The Empire Palace Hotel.

I guess my question would be whether you are getting good value for 200 Euros per night. I know Rome hotels are expensive, though.

Termini is seedy but I don't think particularly dangerous. Some hookers around at night, a few drunks sleeping it off in the day. Pretty mild compared to most "skid row" neighborhoods in, say, New York. In fact, I wouldn't call it a skid row.

I, too, am wondering if 200EU is well-spent, when you are also buying cab fares every day. So many nice hotels in Rome, less than 200EU, centrally located, and recommended highly here-- why deal with an out-of-the-way location? I feel the location of the hotel determines so much how you will feel about a city. I prefer to be close to things, so I can come and go easily if I need something from the hotel, or to take a break.
>-

Is there some reason you wanted to stay in that area? The Pantheon area and the Piazza Navona area are so central and so easy to walk to most anywhere from, I would think that it would be more desirable and I know you can find accommodations for about the same money and even less. Go on TripAdvisoe and look at places like Locanda Senatorum or Albergo Del Senato, both great places and so much more central, I would think. But, regardless, relax and enjoy the entire experience, it's like no other, in my humble opinion. Godspeed,
Leslie

The area is fine, Not sure I would say that it is great as someone else suggested. However, I do question the 200. Not familar with your hotel. We have stayed in this area three times and will be returning in late May. Our hotel is a 3 Star, double, 135 Euro.

Thanks for all the opinions. When we made the arrangements over a month ago, we did it with a travel agent, since both my husband and I were unfamiliar with Rome overall! We had a budget, and the hotel looks very nice and have heard great reviews on it, besides the location. I am however from Brooklyn, and even though I live in a beautiful beach town in Cali now...always see "bad" areas.
I think we will use the train often..can't be any worse off than the subways in Brooklyn right? lol
Now that I'm more familiar with Rome after reviewing many posts and doing our itinerary, is when I had second thoughts.

Anyone who calls the area "seedy" doesn't know the area, and/or hasn't been around Termini in quite a while, and as far as "dangerous," (that makes me smile) let me remind everyone that there were two very serious assaults on young women in central Rome last year-BOTH of them in the area of Pantheon/Navona/Campo dei Fiori, and they were foreign women, one American.

200 Euros a night for the Termini area (probably safe but terribly dull)?

Three weeks ago we paid (off-season and discounted) just over 200 USD a night for a lovely 2 bed, 2 bath penthouse apartment with wrap-around terrace (vrbo.com #74310) near the much posher Piazza de Popolo.

Personally (and this is just my suggestion) I would contact www.sleepinitaly.com and ask what they have available in apartment rentals -- you cannot go wrong with the charming Giulia, their NA contact person.....

I stayed i near Termini some time ago. I felt safe but after a few day I changed hotels to be in a nicer area ( the Spanish Steps) The hotel rate was the same. I would not stay in that location for the reason you mentioned and I found out - there is nothing there.

Sammy-I just looked up your hotel-you are on Via Principe Amadeo, right off the Via Nazionale and just down the street from the Colisseum in one direction, and Santa Maria Maggiore in the other-your hotel gets very good reviews, and many people commented on the good location- for its convenience to the ancient sites, you'll be able to jump on any of the three marvelous hop on/off buses right there at Termini-and/or go whereever else you want in Rome by bus or by train, plus, there is a huge shopping arcade in Termini, as well as hip clubs (ICE CLUB) on Via Cavour and a lovely little cafe/bar right in front of Santa Maria Maggiore, where you can admire the beautiful frescoes on the front of the basilica all lit up at night-that won't be more than a 5 minute walk from your hotel. You'll see.

Girlspytravel...thanks for the info..and everyone else for their opinions. I knew we were close to the Coliseum...thats great!
I'm excited! Is the termini the same as the subway?? Is that where we could take it to the Vatican and places a little more distant?

There are 2 subway lines: both cross at Termini, the train station.

The one that goes to Collosseum will not take you to the Vatican; for that you have to change at Termini.

"Anyone who calls the area "seedy" doesn't know the area, and/or hasn't been around Termini in quite a while,"

Hmm . . spent two or three hours in the area in February. Struck me as seedy -- drunks, beggars, cheap stores -- none of which should prevent the OP from having a great time.

I've never stayed in that area and have no desire to. I've accepted the idea that some people do, but usually because they didn't want to spend much for a hotel. But for 200 euro, I'd be looking for a more central location.

What hotel is your travel agent getting a 200 euro "wholesale price" for and what exactly does that mean? Is wholesale a 10% discount from full rack rates or what?

Hmm. well, again, as far as "seediness" and "drunks" one can see that anywhere in central Rome-perhaps you haven't noticed all the graffiti in the tourist choked areas of central Rome. Th area around Santa Maria Maggiore could not be more lovely, particularly at night, and some very good restaurants are in this area as well-there are less tourists, more locals, small ancient monuments, cobblestone streets-all right down the street from Termini. It's an excellent location, and it is where many of the new hotels are going up, where they are renovating old palazzos into hotels, like the Hotel Antico Palazzo Rospigliosi, former home to a 16th century Pope, which is just to the side of SMM.