I am a solo traveler planning a trip to Rome next spring. I've read lots of posts from people renting apartments in groups -- which of course is very cost effective. Does anyone have any budget ideas on where to sleep solo? I am not into the hostel idea and home stays don't appeal to me much either. Any suggestions?

I would probably choose a studio apartment.
There are several threads describing convents which might interest you especially if you do not mind early curfews

A cheap hotel, perhaps?

Good thought on studio apts.

I'm open to cheap hotels, but the ones I'm finding so far aren't all that cheap. Any specific ideas on cheap hotels in central areas?

Thanks!!!

I didn't find apartments to be cost effective for Rome traveling solo. How much do you want to spend per night? Do you mind a curfew? There are two hundred convents in Rome that rent rooms. Some have curfews (can be as late as 1 am or as early as 10pm)while others have no curfew. Some have private bath and others don't. The rooms are usually very basic, but clean. A single can run anywhere from 15€ - 200€ depending on convent. I think this one near the Vatican is about 35-40€ per night for a single.
http://casamariaimmacolata.com/homepageeng.htm

deeinkc,

My last trip to Italy was solo and I would have liked to try an apartment, but I didn't find an appealing one that made $$ sense for 1 person.

I stayed 5 nights at the Giardino Rome**. It has some single rooms available, which are plenty big enough and nice baths (although low water pressure). Great location on Via XXIV di Maggio between Trajan's Market and the Quirinale. Easy to walk everywhere, except maybe the Vatican.

Katy, the owner, and her staff are very welcoming and extremely helpful. Cosy place and double-paned windows cut all the traffic noise. Typical breatfasts. they answer e mails very promptly!

I paid $90E per night in mid-Sept, although this was 4 years ago. I was very happy here. You can find them on www.venere.com. You can also sort lodging on the web site by price or location. It's a great sight, even if you don't end up booking through them.

Hope this helps!

A block over from via XXIV di Maggio that Dayle mentioned is the convent Il Rosario. A single there will be about 50€ per night with a midnight curfew. Another block away from Il Rosario is Santa Sofia (on Piazza Madonna di Monti)which is also 50€ and midnight curfew. Both are private bath.

I considered this B&B, but didn't end up booking it. It is just across the river in Trastevere and has a fridge and coffee machine, but no kitchen.
http://www.elp.it/bb/location.html

Not sure what you consider budget.
realrome.com has studio apartments for as little as 75-85 euros/night. We had very good luck with this agency
Of course with an apartment you can save money on food

Traveling solo, I would personally opt for an inexpensive B&B or 2-3 star in a good location rather than an apartment. The convents are also a good alternative for a budget traveler if a curfew is not an issue.

bootsnall.com has a nice choice of less expensive lodging as does romeby.com. See what appeals then check reviews on Tripadvisor.com and venere.com.

Try www.eurocheapo.com to look for inexpensive places to stay

I also inquired about this B&B, but it was booked for my dates.
http://www.b-b.rm.it/accommodations/desc.php?id=306

I had never thought of convents before. See, so glad I asked about this. I think 50E/night is a good aim, but like Vttraveler mentioned, in an apt you can save on food. I will check all of these web suggestions. Thanks so much for your feedback. If any more ideas pop up, keep 'em coming!

Hotel Julia often has a very good deal with its "single, economical rooms". http://www.hoteljulia.it
The price includes a reasonable breakfast (or at least it was in 2005).

Even if you are in a hotel, you can still buy food from the grocery store or markets for one or more meals.

Fraterna Domus is a very well-located convent.
FRATERNA DOMUS
Via del Monte Brianza 62
00186 Rome.
Tel. 06.6880.2727; Fax: 06.683.2691; E-mail [email protected]