stay at hotel in rome near train station or near trevi/spanish steps??
Jul 5th, 2006, 08:19 AM
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stay at hotel in rome near train station or near trevi/spanish steps??
We are going to Rome in early August (yes, we know it will be hot) and can't decide between two hotels that are the same price. I need your help and opinions!
First hotel is right near the trevi, spanish steps but only got three stars and a 7.5 guest rating on venere.com. On trip advisor, it also receive three stars and is in the top 300 hotels out of 989. Very good location....
The second hotel is near the train station, recevied 2 stars on venere.com and got a 9.1 guest review. On trip advisor, it recevied, 4.5 out of 5 stars and excellent reviews. Also in top 10 hotels out of 979.
Since it will be August and hot, is it smarter to stay at the hotel near the train station? Would it be less expensive to stay in more central Rome and avoid the chance of being pick pocketed on the train? I'm a little worried about the subways in Rome, I heard tourists get robbed.
Thanks for all your help in advance!
Indovina
First hotel is right near the trevi, spanish steps but only got three stars and a 7.5 guest rating on venere.com. On trip advisor, it also receive three stars and is in the top 300 hotels out of 989. Very good location....
The second hotel is near the train station, recevied 2 stars on venere.com and got a 9.1 guest review. On trip advisor, it recevied, 4.5 out of 5 stars and excellent reviews. Also in top 10 hotels out of 979.
Since it will be August and hot, is it smarter to stay at the hotel near the train station? Would it be less expensive to stay in more central Rome and avoid the chance of being pick pocketed on the train? I'm a little worried about the subways in Rome, I heard tourists get robbed.
Thanks for all your help in advance!
Indovina
Jul 5th, 2006, 08:37 AM
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The one near the train station is Domus Praetoria which doesn't have many reviews on Fodor's and the one in central Rome near the attractions is called Hotel Julia which did receive some mixed reviews on this site. Thanks!
Jul 5th, 2006, 11:31 AM
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My daughter and I stayed at the Domus Julia (apartment annex to Hotel Julia) this past May for three nights. We were very happy with its location, and the value for the price of our room. Breakfast was included, which is served in a nice breakfast room of the Hotel Julia. It includes pastries, hot boiled eggs, cold ham, cereal, yoghurt and nice cappuccino. Our twin room was quite large, with a nice new bathroom. I think we paid 170EUR.
We were completely content. The top of the Spanish Steps is just up the block and over a bit. The Barberini Palace is at the top of the street. The Trevi Fountain is down the hill a couple of blocks. We were able to walk all over Rome from Domus Julia. It is a very clean and well-run budget choice. They offer a shuttle service from the airport, which was only about 14 EUR, which is much cheaper than any other I could find. And, if you book directly with the hotel, there's a 10 percent discount coupon you can download from another site (I can't remember its name, but you could Google and find it, I'll bet, if it's still available). They wouldn't honor it for me, since I'd already booked through venere.com.
We were completely content. The top of the Spanish Steps is just up the block and over a bit. The Barberini Palace is at the top of the street. The Trevi Fountain is down the hill a couple of blocks. We were able to walk all over Rome from Domus Julia. It is a very clean and well-run budget choice. They offer a shuttle service from the airport, which was only about 14 EUR, which is much cheaper than any other I could find. And, if you book directly with the hotel, there's a 10 percent discount coupon you can download from another site (I can't remember its name, but you could Google and find it, I'll bet, if it's still available). They wouldn't honor it for me, since I'd already booked through venere.com.
Jul 5th, 2006, 11:52 AM
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I thought about Domus Praetoria and corresponded with them. They were very prompt and courteous and the price was right. However, when I realized how close it was to the train station area, I decided I did not want that. And chose instead the Pantheon/Piazza Navona area. It is a much nicer area in terms of neighborhood and if you are not staying for too long, very centrally located and close to what you want to see usually.
Jul 5th, 2006, 11:53 AM
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You could be robbed anywhere indovina.
We were on the metro in Paris and these young males came onto the train- laughing and fooling around with each other. All of a sudden one of the males dropped a coin under our seats and started looking for it. We foolishly looked on the floor to help him.After him finding his coin - (Less than 20 seconds later ) the boys got off the train and my husband realised he had been pickpocketed.
Did we feel stupid! 75 euros poorer, we were determined to get on with our day and not let the incident spoil everything, but it leaves you a little shaken.
A lesson learned.
Watch out for this trick -wherever you go.
We were on the metro in Paris and these young males came onto the train- laughing and fooling around with each other. All of a sudden one of the males dropped a coin under our seats and started looking for it. We foolishly looked on the floor to help him.After him finding his coin - (Less than 20 seconds later ) the boys got off the train and my husband realised he had been pickpocketed.
Did we feel stupid! 75 euros poorer, we were determined to get on with our day and not let the incident spoil everything, but it leaves you a little shaken.
A lesson learned.
Watch out for this trick -wherever you go.
Jul 5th, 2006, 12:08 PM
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Sorry carylspall about your pickpocketing experience - I will remember the coin trick....I am actually considering Hotel Julia which is different from Domus Julia, I believe. Still looking forward to hearing other opinions - thank you!
Jul 5th, 2006, 12:11 PM
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The area around Roma's Termini train station is not that great. However, if you plan to utilize the train a lot, it might be prudent to stay close by so you can easily catch trains, etc. Have you considered staying in the Campo dei Fiori area? I stay there every time I am in Rome. It is about a 15 min bus ride on the #64 from the Termini Station to the Corso Vittorio Emanuele bus stop. The hotel rates in the Campo are about 90-100 for a double and the area has a daily morning market that is fun to shop at. Also, there are shops and cafes around the piazza area.
The Spanish Steps area is heavily touristed so it will be crowded. It all depends on what you are looking for.
P.S. You don't have to take the subways, I manage just fine with busses and walking around everywhere. Keep your items on your person and avoid carrying the obvious tourist/video equipment in plain sight. Buon viaggio!
The Spanish Steps area is heavily touristed so it will be crowded. It all depends on what you are looking for.
P.S. You don't have to take the subways, I manage just fine with busses and walking around everywhere. Keep your items on your person and avoid carrying the obvious tourist/video equipment in plain sight. Buon viaggio!
Jul 5th, 2006, 12:13 PM
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The Spanish Steps are nice location but will probably be crowded with tourists and young kids hanging out until the wee hours of the morning. My wife and I took the train from Airport as well as took the Metro all over Rome and had no problems. If the one hotel offers a shuttle at 14EU from the airport - take it. I may be cheaper than the train plus as of right now, the taxis in Italy are on strike.
Jul 5th, 2006, 01:49 PM
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I highly suggest you stay at the hotel near trevi/spanish steps. It will be much more centrally located to where you will be walking and exporing each day.
The hotel near the train station will only be a good choice if you plan to do day trips out of Rome. The area is not as nice either.
Stay near the trevi/steps and you will be so happy you did.
If you are worried about riding the metro, then just walk every where. Rome is small enough to do so, and if you get too tired to continue, you can take a taxi.
The hotel near the train station will only be a good choice if you plan to do day trips out of Rome. The area is not as nice either.
Stay near the trevi/steps and you will be so happy you did.
If you are worried about riding the metro, then just walk every where. Rome is small enough to do so, and if you get too tired to continue, you can take a taxi.
Jul 5th, 2006, 02:08 PM
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The area near the train station is not very tourist oriented. There are a lot of hotels and apartments in the area. There's nothing wrong with the neighborhood where Domus Praetoria is located.
If you are not handicapped and enjoy walking this is not a bad neighborhood. For over 17 years I have always stayed around here, almost always at the Hotel Canada which is not in the price range of the Domus Praetoria. The people who tell you it is a bad neighborhood should be asked to explain why the Exedra which is the newest super luxury hotels in Rome is only a few blocks away.
If you are not handicapped and enjoy walking this is not a bad neighborhood. For over 17 years I have always stayed around here, almost always at the Hotel Canada which is not in the price range of the Domus Praetoria. The people who tell you it is a bad neighborhood should be asked to explain why the Exedra which is the newest super luxury hotels in Rome is only a few blocks away.
Jul 5th, 2006, 02:17 PM
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Indovina, the train station area may be real life Italy but I suppose not the reason why you are visiting Rome. It has very little of interest and I remeber it looking "gray". It would be a track for you to sightsee everyday if you stay there. trevi/spanish steps area is very convenient, you can walk everywhere, even to the vatican.
Jul 5th, 2006, 02:37 PM
#14
We stayed near the forum [via dei serpenti off via nazionale] at easter, and spent a lot of time on the buses, when it was already quite hot. so I second/third the suggestions to stay in as central a spot as possible. Trevi would be good, piazza navona etc. even better. You will appreciate it, even if it costs a bit more.
Jul 6th, 2006, 05:03 AM
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Thank you everyone for your great advice! I have decided to stay in more central Rome at Hotel Julia. Taking the train and buses in August in Rome is not something I really want to do.
When I get back, I will give you my review of the hotel and my trip!
Many thanks again!
When I get back, I will give you my review of the hotel and my trip!
Many thanks again!
Jul 8th, 2006, 11:35 AM
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I liked Hotel Julia, and it was very convenient. My main concern for August, though, would be which hotel has the best air conditioning. Because I was there in January, that wasn't an issue for me. Also, Hotel Julia has small rooms, but so do many hotels. You might want to check on room size for each hotel if that matters to you. I found that the street Hotel Julia is on is very quiet, which will be great for summer nights.
Jul 14th, 2006, 10:22 AM
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Yes, I did confirm they have airconditioning in the queen size room. The size doesn't matter too much too me b/c to be honest, we will be out most of the time! I will give my report on the hotel when I return. The good news is they provide shuttle service to and from the airport for only 14 euros - reall good deal!
Have a wonderful summer everyone!
Have a wonderful summer everyone!
Jul 14th, 2006, 01:02 PM
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indovina, I used the Hotel Julia shuttle from the airport, too. It is a great price. But be aware of this: my driver was really a creep-- he dropped me off at the bottom of the hill, with all my bags, by myself, and told me the hotel was right there. Well, it was right there somewhere, like UP the hill about a block at least! What a jerk. I guess he was too lazy to circle around and come down the one-way street, to drop me right in front of the door, like taxis would do.
So, I cursed him while I (jet-lagged from flying from Denver via D.C. and Frankfurt) schlepped my carry-on, my backpack, and my gargantuan rolling bag up that hill, bumping over cobblestones, etc.
Don't let him pull that trick on you!
At least I didn't tip the creep, before I knew he'd pulled a fast one on me.
So, I cursed him while I (jet-lagged from flying from Denver via D.C. and Frankfurt) schlepped my carry-on, my backpack, and my gargantuan rolling bag up that hill, bumping over cobblestones, etc.
Don't let him pull that trick on you!
At least I didn't tip the creep, before I knew he'd pulled a fast one on me.
