When looking for accommodation in central Rome, I preferred a mix of good value and great location.

The plan was simple:

• be at St. Peter's Basilica in the morning within minutes before the long lines formed.
• in the evening to walk to the Gianicolo hill for sunset
• and at the same time have the historic centre within easy reach without having to use the buses

After several hours of searching, it was the Domus Giulia that finally won out.

There were several reasons: very good reviews, private bathroom, reasonable price for the center of Rome, and a location that matched exactly what I needed.

Choose the best hotel in Rome

First, one important thing: What is an affittacamere?

If you're not a regular traveller in Italy, you may be coming across this term for the first time.

An affittacamere is a cross between a guest-house and a hotel.

Typically, it's a few rooms set aside in a regular apartment building, often on one floor of a historic building.

So don't expect a 24-hour reception, restaurant, lobby or hotel facilities familiar from larger hotels.

That's exactly how the Domus Giulia works.

From the outside, the house looks like a regular apartment building and without a sign you wouldn't even know there was accommodation inside.

Why and how much did I book?

The great location combined with the good price were the main reasons I stayed here.

• 💰 1 night in a room with private bathroom - 144 eur
• 🥯 Breakfast included
• 📆 Date - end of April 2026
• 🕗 booking in advance - approx. 3 weeks

This is a great price for central Rome in a well rated hotel.

Find out the current price at Domus Giulia

And the location? Unbeatable.

• 📍 Largo de Fiorentini, map
• Vatican City: 10 minutes on foot
• Gianicolo: 20 minutes on foot
• Piazza Navona: 15 minutes on foot
• Trastevere: 20 minutes on foot

Check-in and great communication

It did take me a little while to find the entrance to the hotel, but that was more due to my inattention.

I had already received several messages in advance via my booking account and email with exact instructions on how to find the hotel and how to check-in.

The front desk is only available from 7:00am to 3:00pm, but the instructions for picking up the keys after that time were very detailed and easy to understand.

The property responded quickly to my inquiries, so no problem.

Domus Giulia is located on the 1st floor.

Spacious room

The first impression was actually quite pleasant.

The room is clearly trying to look more modern and stylish than its price range suggests.

I would describe the result as an interesting combination:

• older Italianate buildings
• slightly old-fashioned elements.
• cheaper modern IKEA-style furniture

It's not a design hotel you'll share on Instagram. But at the same time, it doesn't feel cheap or shabby.

I was most surprised by the size of the room.

It's really spacious for the historic center of Rome and I didn't feel cramped during my stay, which is common in similar accommodations.

The room is a bonus:

• refrigerator with 2 bottles of water included.
• kettle and instant coffee or tea
• safe

Bathroom

The bathroom is also unusually spacious for this type of hotel.

Older but clean and well maintained with a shower, hairdryer, toilet and bidet.

Breakfast was a pleasant surprise

I honestly didn't expect much from such a small accommodation.

In Italy I am used to a few croissants and sweets in similar types of hotels.

The "dining room" itself is very modest.

In fact, it's a space in the corridor between the reception and the rooms, so definitely don't expect a hotel restaurant.

Yet here you will find:

• sweet pastries
• yoghurt
• cereals
• several savoury options (ham, cheese, sausages, beans, bacon)
• coffee prepared by the staff
• eggs also prepared by the staff (scrambled eggs, omelette and other ways)

Definitely a nice extra for such a small accommodation.

What I liked and what I didn't

Domus Giulia is not a hit, but a nice compromise between good location and cheap accommodation

• ✅ Excellent location
• ✅ Spacious functional room and bathroom
• ✅ Pretty good breakfast included (for a small hotel)
• ✅ Seamless self check-in even after reception closing time
• ✅ Good communication with the hotel before arrival
• ❌ Limited reception opening hours (if you need to deal with something, you only need to phone or WhatsApp)
• ❌ Far from metro or trains (and therefore to the airport)

Find out the current availability at Domus Giulia

Who would I recommend Domus Giulia to?

I would stay here in the following cases:

• you want to stay in the historic centre at a reasonable price
• you plan to spend most of the day outdoors
• you're looking for your own room and bathroom under 200 eur for the night
• you want to be close to the Vatican

I would look elsewhere if:

• you expect a classic hotel with services
• you're looking for luxury or a designer experience
• you need a reception available all day