Rome is one of those cities where the location of the hotel makes a huge difference. Much more than one expects when making a reservation.

On a map, everything can look "close to the centre". But in reality, the difference between a hotel near the Pantheon and a cheap accommodation on the periphery means tens of extra minutes on the metro or buses every day.

But if you pick the right neighbourhood, you can walk most of Rome.

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The best part of Rome for a first visit

If it's your first time in Rome, I wouldn't think too much of it.

Look for a hotel in these areas:

• The historic centre around the Pantheon, Piazza Navona or Trevi Fountain.
• around Termini train station
• around the Vatican
• or in Trastevere

This is where you will usually walk through a huge part of the main sights on foot.

And in Rome, that's a big advantage.

The metro tends to bypass the centre and the buses tend to be slow.

The historic centre

Rome has a compact centre and if you can find a good value hotel here, I certainly wouldn't hesitate.

• ✅ Walking distance to practically all the sights
• ✅ wide choice of hotels, guesthouses and pensions
• ✅ the atmosphere of "real Italy"
• ❌ higher prices
• ❌ poorer accessibility from Rome's two airports

View hotels in the centre of Rome

Around Termini station

Is it worth staying around Termini Central Station? Probably the most common question.

Yes and no.

• ✅ Best accessibility from both Rome airports
• ✅ great choice of hotels
• ✅ lowest prices within the centre of Rome
• ❌ very busy area
• ❌ less safe at night
• ❌ not as nice neighbourhood as in the centre
• ❌ often very bad hotels: read reviews thoroughly!

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Vatican area

This is a good compromise between cheap accommodation and pretty good accessibility.

• ✅ If your main destination is the Vatican, then this is the number 1 choice
• ✅ Lots of cheap private host offers
• ✅ lots of cheap local restaurants in the area
• ❌ few quality hotels from multinational chains
• ❌ poorer accessibility to other sights
• ❌ no direct connection to the airport

If you want good accessibility, I would especially choose hotels near Ottaviano metro station.

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Trastevere

Trastevere is one of my favourite parts of Rome.

It has a great atmosphere, especially in the evening. The narrow streets, pizzerias, bars and pubs create a "typical Italian" atmosphere.

• ✅ The best food and drink in town
• ✅ beautiful narrow streets
• ✅ lively atmosphere in the evening
• ❌ high prices
• ❌ less accessible from Ciampino airport or Termini station
• ❌ less quiet

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My picks for the best hotels in Rome

If you don't want to spend time looking for the best deals, we've selected the best hotels in several categories.

Cheapest accommodation

• Piccolo Hotel Boutique - a very small hotel with small but beautiful and modern rooms 500 metres from the Vatican
• Hotel Mosaic Central Rome - a simple clean hotel with an absolutely great location: a few dozen metres from Termini station towards the historic centre and the Colosseum
• Rossi Hotel - a simple budget hotel right in front of Termini Station ideal for late arrivals or early departures

The golden mean

• Best Western President - a classic 4* chain that you always know what to expect. This hotel is two metro A stations (Manzoni station) from Termini station and 450 metres from Koloesa
• Hotel Nautilus - a regular 3* hotel with good ratings in a great location about 400 metres from the Vatican between the A metro stations Lepanto and Ottaviano
• Eccelso Hotel - one of the best 3* hotels in terms of price vs performance. It has modern clean rooms, is 50 metres from the Vatican and 200 metres from Ottaviano metro station

International chains

• Mercure Roma Centro Termini - of the large hotels, it has the best location a short walk from Termini Station towards the historic centre
• Aparthotel Adagio Rome Vatican - a classic Accoraparthotel in a quiet area about 2.5 km from the Vatican and right next to the city's railway station
• Hilton Garden Inn Rome Claridge - the cheapest of the Hilton family of hotels, located in the northern part of the wider centre, right next to the tram stop towards the metro and the centre
• Clarion Collection Hotel Principessa Isabella - another classic in a great location between Termini Station and Borghese Park

Luxury hotels

These are the most luxurious and expensive hotels in Rome.

• Bvlgari Hotel Roma - an iconic brand, quality without compromise, modern design and a good location between the Spanish Steps and the Vatican
• Rocco Forte Hotel De Russie - a magnificent hotel by the Piazza del Popolo
• Six Sense Rome - my favourite luxury brand, great location by the Pantheon overlooking the Altare della Patria monument

How much do hotels in Rome cost and high season

Category	Price per night for 2
budget	From 70 eur
regular 3* hotel	120EUR -220 eur
better 4* hotel	220 eur -400 eur
luxury	from 500 eur

Prices are rising significantly:

• April-June
• September-October
• Easter
• Christmas
• Long weekends

Find hotel prices in Rome

The biggest mistakes when choosing a hotel in Rome

I've been to Rome many times and several times I've picked a really bad hotel.

1️⃣ Hotel far from the centre
In Rome, the cheapest hotels (including the big multinational chains) are mostly found around the highways on the outskirts (especially for motorists passing through Rome). From here, you'll have a really hard time getting to the centre.

2️⃣ Choosing by price only
The differences in quality are huge and you will find a large number of really awful hotels in Rome. Always read reviews and comments!

3️⃣ Last minute bookings
If you are travelling to Rome at weekends, summer, Christmas or Easter, book your hotel at least 1 month in advance.