Staying in Rome on half a shoestring
 

Hi everybody,

So last March my girlfriend and I stayed in a quiet, clean, and unassuming hotel in the backstreets of Montmartre. It was a little run-down, but we had a double bed, corner room, and balcony, all for 40 Euros. (Shared shower and toilet though.) What a steal! Right now I'm rooting around the internet the equivalent of that hotel in Rome. Prices in Rome seem to be higher; the general consensus is that if you go down to 50 Euros, you're guaranteed a lumpy, formadelhyde-smelling matress in a matchbox-sized room with no view.

I'd like to think that there's an exception to this rule. Does anybody out there know of a decent hotel somewhere in Rome that has doubles for 60 Euros? I'd like to avoid the area around the termini, preferably staying in an atmospheric (read: decrepit) old building in or around the Centro Storico or Trastevere, or any other cool and vibrant neighbourhood you may know of. (I suppose I can forget about hanging my hat somewhere near the Spanish steps.) I'm also willing to pay less for a room by taking the top floor and trudging up many flights of stairs. All the other amenities would be nice -- a view, access to a terrace of some sort -- but then again, beggars can't be choosers.

So: who knows of Rome's best bargain, and who's willing to share it? I'm all ears!

Thanks a bunch,
JVM

We have stayed at the Hotel des Artistes and liked it. they have a sister hotel that I don't remember the name of but it is on their web site. The rooms were ok and there were showers down the hall. It was a great value.

Various choices on www.eurocheapo.com

Best wishes,

Rex

Gulliver's House is a Hostel, BUT, they have a private double that is quite large just an 8 minute walk to the Colliseum. Simon and Sarah run the place and I think I paid 13Euro a night (26 total ask to not include breaksfast) Also, if you say you saw it in Rick Steeve's book you get a discount. It's a great find. so homey and clean. You will have to share the bathroom though! Good Luck

I'm looking for similar digs in Paris in April/May? Any suggestions?

You can try www.hostels.net

It will give you a lot of cheap options for Rome. They list hostels & B&Bs etc.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Anyone else have any specific gems to recommend?

I forget who asked -- somebody with a Canadian Shaw account -- but here's a review from Rough Guides about that place in Montmartre:

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Hôtel Bonséjour 11 rue Burq, 18e tel 01.42.54.22.53, fax 01.42.54.25.92. Set in a marvellous location on a quiet untouristy street on the slopes of Montmartre, this hotel is run by friendly and conscientious owners, and the rooms, which are basic, but clean and spacious, are Montmartre's best deal. Ask for the corner rooms 23, 33, 43 or 53, all of which have a balcony. M? Abbesses. €30?40
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Hope I didn't break any copyright laws by cutting and pasting that. Anyhoo, yeah -- that place has undulating floors, retro/ugly wallpaper, an old-timey springy bed, etc., but that's part of the charm. Also, the balcony is perfect and the price is unbeatable.

And now, back to cheap deals in Rome...

I've booked with this place - http://www.italianbandb.com . I haven't been there yet, but my correspondence has been friendly.

This place has many recommendations:
http://www.hotelpapagermano.com/

Consider this place right next to the Spanish Steps:
http://www.hotelpanda.it

I haven't stayed there but I ran across this website and thought it looked interesting and rather stylish though it's a little above your budget at 70 Euros for two.
http://www.the-beehive.com

Hope you find somewhere.

Whoops! Just noticed the regulation on the front page regarding the cribbing of others' material. Sorry, Fodors! My apologies.