AlessandraZoe

Hanabilly--I laughed when I read about the sounds you loved. As I told you, we got upgraded because our reserved room never became vacant (honeymooners? If so, we are grateful--hope they enjoyed OUR room; we sure enjoyed having to take the alternative). We ended up with an outside terrace overlooking the Pantheon. We pulled up chairs to the rail, poured gallons of wine down our throats as we watched the Pantheon parade below us. Hari Krishnas were really active that weekend, so it was rather fun to seem the parade of orange try to get through Rome Easter weekend throngs.

Ironically, I am a total sound phobic. Yet I made my husband keep the bedroom doors open to the terrace so I wouldn't miss a sound of anything happening below all night or any of the morning sounds you described. So fun!

BeachGirl247

While we stayed in an apartment next door my friends were in the Senato and loved it. I have to say the people at the desk were very helpful to us and we weren't even guests of the hotel but had come to recognize us from our visits to meet my friends.
I saw the rooms and while small they've been renovated and are fresh and lovely.

You cannot beat the view from your window! And, be sure to go to Tazzo d'Oro coffee bar just steps away from your hotel (out the door to your right). The best cappuccino ever served.

hanabilly, you described the scene perfectly! I loved watching the piazza come to life every morning. Lovely, lovely location!

pearl1220

Well you're right. Its bit shaddy but not a big issue to be worried. You can definitely have good areas there to stay. Specially if you are staying near a market place then it would be the best.
You can try out: HotelItaliaRoma(http://www.hotelitaliaroma.com/), Lodjee Rome Department(http://www.lodjee.com/rome),St. Moritz Hotel(http://www.hotelstmoritz.it/)

However according to me these places are quite safe but still I would like to suggest to Keep your money in a money belt out of sight or in your front pocket and walk carefully.

Nlingenfel

I am a 69 year old female, I always stay around the train station, last week at Hotel Selene, I was never afraid walking around by myself. Use care, the only time I have been pickpocked was near the Spanish Steps, when I was helping my friend(that was a few years ago, and they were very well dressed mid 60's couple). My own fault, should have been more aware of my purse. I now tie my change purse to the zipper of my handbag, and I also use a SafePac bag.
Via Urbania, was my favorite local street, but each trip, more of the local business's are gone and upscale stores have replaced the old merchants.

MBrattebo

Just booked Hotel Villa Duse ..boutique hotel for 118 euro nite. Upscale neighborhood but several miles to central Rome. Highly rated per Fromers/Fodors

Mimar

MBrattebo, if this is your first visit to Rome, I would reconsider that location. You will spend valuable vacation time and money getting into the historic center to the sights and then back out. It won't be easy to drop back to your hotel during the day. Somewhere around the Campo dei Fiori/Piazza Navona/Spanish Steps is more desireable, and there are some inexpensive options there.