I have a reservation to stay at the Residenza Cellini in October. Have heard its a great place, but I'm wondering about the location in Piazza Repubblica. It seems close to the train station, which is supposedly a seedy area and maybe a little out of the way. If anyone knows anything about this area, I would really appreciate hearing from you.
Thanks,
Annie

If you mean Piazza della Repubblica, fka Piazza Esedra, in Rome, you are indeed close to the Termini Train Station. The area gets a bit spotty at night, and you do need to be very careful about pickpockets and gypsies at all hours. There is a metro station directly underground, so public transportation here is excellent.

Although fairly close to the train station, I don't consider the area around Piazza della Repubblica particularly seedy. We stayed at one of the loveliest hotels in Rome, the St. Regis Grand, in 2001 and it is right across from the Piazza. We had no trouble walking around the area at night, even with two small children. Although a bit out of the historical center, you can still walk to many things and the area is well served by the metro and many bus lines.

We stay at the Cortina which is in that area. You are far enough away from the Termini to ba away from the seedy part. We have walked around at night with no problem. Grab a cab to the historic center (about 5 or 6 dollars) or the metro or bus. As far as gypsies...they're all over. We had an encounter with one near Piazza Navono. BTW......he lost.

My husband and I stayed at a hotel on the Piazza della Repubblica in late March and felt the area was fine. Was it seedy? Probably depends on your personal experiences. We felt it was fine, but we have lived in NYC, Houston and Chicago, so our judgment might be different than say my parents, who live in a small town. Right near the train station might be hit or miss, but Piazza della Repubblica was totally fine. We took cabs most places, but technically it would have been okay to walk. I would definitely stay in this area again.

One of the BEST hotels in Rome is nearby....the Mascagni...We've stayed there twice and walked all around in daytime & early evening...no problems !!

Rob [email protected]

Recently back from Rome where we stayed in the Boscolo Aleph about two blocks away...the Piazza is very vibrant during the day, everything form folks selling art works to a Mickie D's...Metro right there..Termini two blocks away. It isn't any "seedier" in my opinion than some other parts of Rome...depends on one's definition I guess..some of the activity that goes on around the oh so "hallowed" Spanish Steps that so many folks want to be "near" would make your hair stand on end...so enjoy your stay. Good bookstores nearby, too, especially if need something in English.

Notice that I described the area as "spotty" at night, NOT "seedy", which in my opinion is a very different description. What is perhaps more significant is that the Piazza is noisy day and night, albeit conveniently located.

We too have stayed a few blocks from the Piazza. Perhaps not the most esthetic area, but certainly convenient and we never felt unsafe even late at night walking back to our hotel. You can walk down Via Nazionale and end up at Piazza Venizia and on to Trajan's Market, the forum, etc. We wouldn't hesitate to return to the area.