I last visited Rome in 2004 so my comments may be a bit outdated. We stayed at the Banchi Vecchi in Campo de Fiori and Piazza Navona. It was absolutely charming with exposed wooden ceiling beams and wooden window shutters. It was so much more fun than staying a big hotel. We walked everywhere from this location and there is a bus line a few streets away.

Posted By Angela on August 20, 2009, 12:32 PM

Food:
I just put a post up about where we ate in Rome (and also Venice, Florence & Cortona. I put some recommendations of where not to eat in there as well. You can read it here:

http://mouseandmarmot.typepad.com/mouse-and-marmot/2009/08/italy-where-we-ate.html

Sleep:
We stayed at the Hotel Nardizzi in Rome. Since there were 4 of us traveling we booked a quad room for pretty cheap (the beginning of April is still "off-season"). On top of that, they discounted the room because we paid in cash and because we had a Rick Steves' guidebook. Breakfast was included, and pretty good. Free wireless and a computer available. Close to the train and metro stations.

Posted By Kelly on August 20, 2009, 3:02 PM

If you need a meal by the Vatican we had a good experience at Dino e Toni's. It may not be the cheapest place around- a small carafe of house red, a massive antipasti platter and two primi came to around 40 euro- but at least it isn't touristy, replete with a pot bellied waiter who mocked my husband for not finishing his pasta. The pasta in question was penne alla amatriciana, the house specialty, and our favorite dish in all Rome, a heady mixture of sweet tomatoes, smoky gaunicale punctuated with salty pecorino romano and a bit of pepper in the background. Don't expect a menu and try to get one of the outside tables where you can sit under the shade and watch the non glamorous side of Rome shuttle past.

Posted By M. Hoover on August 20, 2009, 3:13 PM

Villa della Fonte in Trastevere, Rome
small, family run, beautiful terrace for breakfast (included) and general use.
AND
D' Augusto nearby restaurant frequented by locals, no menu, excellent food,very small, get there early.

Posted By P on August 20, 2009, 3:31 PM

Yes, Yes, Yes to D'Augusto - Great place! Also, Abruzzi is great, especially for their GREEN Sambuca digesto.

Posted By Pam on August 20, 2009, 3:41 PM

This may seem like an unusual suggestion, as there are so many wonderful restaurants in Rome, but sometimes weary travelers are just too tired to sit for another long, leisurely Roman meal. If that's the case, consider going to a small grocery-type shop and buying takeout that you can eat back at your hotel. A particular favorite of mine (if you're staying within reasonable walking distance) is the many food shops at the Stazione Termini. Wide variety of takeaway food, at reasonable prices.

Posted By Linda Jenkins on August 20, 2009, 3:42 PM

WE have stayed several times at Albergo Lucia, just a few blocks away from Roma Termini. It is safe, clean, and the hosts are helpful and friendly. They have accommodated early arrivals, held luggage for late departures, etc... Also incredibly reasonably priced.

Posted By Stephanie on August 20, 2009, 5:05 PM

Forgot to leave the URL in my recent comment on Albergo Lucia. http://www.hotel-lucia.com

Posted By Stephanie on August 20, 2009, 5:07 PM

For John Cleese lovers: FAWLTY TOWERS! It's a small 'above stairs' hotel only a few blocks from the main train station. No frills, but clean and comfortable.

Posted By Betty Tegt,meier on August 20, 2009, 5:12 PM

I would like to comment in favor of Hotel Vatican Holiday. We booked our room thru www.easytobook.com. Our double room X 6 days, breakfast included, was a total price of € 600.00.

Elegantly appointed room, yet a bit small, typical of Rome. Non-smoking, clean, quiet and your own perfectly working climate controls! Owners did everything to make it comfortable and arranged affordable transportation to and from airport. Great location, convenient to metro and local attractions. Very reasonable rates, especially for the quality. We would stay again and recommend to anyone without reservation (Must be able to climb a small stairway). Only issue is that initially tricky to find, if you don't arrange transportation.

Hotel Vatican holiday
Via Andrea Doria 36
00192 Rome
+39 06 39736126

Chao

Posted By Kathryn Lacey on August 20, 2009, 5:48 PM

I highly recommend the Franklin Feel the Sound (near Vatican City). I took my nephew to Italy in June 2009 as a graduation gift. After extensive research on multiple sites, I decided to book this hotel. I have traveled extensively (34 countries so far) and am pretty picky about where I stay and I want good value and good service. The Franklin really exceeded my expectations. Value: Excellent! Our room was large by the tiny European hotel room standard. Everything in the room was very modern. Excellent sound system and a flat panel TV! Our bathroom had a mirror-ball and blue light that flooded the room when we put our room key in the slot! We couldn’t stop laughing! Snare-drums served as bedside tables! The reception area is funky, with a huge drum for a desk and hundreds of CDs to choose from to take to your room. Lots of modern, music themed art around the hotel in the hallways and stairwell. The reception staff were outstanding in recommending restaurants and giving directions. The buffet style breakfast was good. It must be an Italian thing to have only one cup of coffee (or espresso based coffee) as that’s all you’re going to get! Location: Close enough to walk the Vatican. It’s a short walk to the Metro as well. Best of all - the hotel is NON-SMOKING! A welcome respite from the cigarette smoke filled streets of Rome.

Posted By Dawn on August 20, 2009, 5:53 PM

I have stayed at Hotel Ranieri in Roma 6-8 times (I've lost count). Luana, Diego, Carlo, and the rest of the staff are magnifico. Being right across from the ministry of Finance and within walking distance of Termini, it's a winner.
We never leave Roma without a meal at Trattoria der Pallero. The only choice you make there is if you want white or red vino; you eat what Signora prepares.You get 4-5 courses for under 25 euro! It can't be beat for fun and value.

Posted By jackie on August 20, 2009, 6:17 PM

We've stayed twice at the Hotel Oxford in Rome. It's near the Via Venato and Spanish Steps. The rooms have been upgraded and the staff is extremely friendly and helpful. Great little lounge to enjoy a drink.

Posted By Ed on August 20, 2009, 6:29 PM

I have a "reverse trace" comment...
across the "circus" from the Pantheon is/was an inexpensive 3-story walk-up hotel where I loved staying back in 1970's. Floor to ceiling shutters instead of glazed windows, wonderful cofee aroma from the morning bustle at the shops below; thick masonry walls provided cooler sleeping than any modern AC system. Only drawback: communal W.C. Could it possibly still be in operation? Does it ring a bell with anyone?

Thanks,
Marty Holzer; Aurora, IL

Posted By martha holzer on August 20, 2009, 8:56 PM

We enjoyed Hotel Papa Germano during our 8 night stay in May. The staff was friendly, helpful, and efficient. They even let my adult daughter check-in early before the rest of us arrived (prearranged). My husband, adult daughter, teen and I shared a family room which was comfortable with an extra pillow, good reading lights by the king bed, room for all luggage, mini frig, decent sized bathroom (although shower is tiny). We loved the optional cold air conditioning. The hotel is spotless, quiet, affordable, and convenient. Computers in the lobby are handy. Breakfast was good and ample. Great coffee, and we still sigh over the fresh buns with butter (plus the usual ham, cheese, cereals, fresh fruit, juice, and pastries). It is located near the Termini station on Via Catafimi. This location was great because we used the Express train to and from the airport, and also did day trips by train to Florence and Pompeii. In Rome we walked a lot then hopped on the metro when we got tired which took us to 2 nearby stops (Termini or Republica). We felt safe in the neighborhood. We ate at the 3 restaurants across the street - La Famiglia italian, a chinese restaurant, and an ethiopian restaurant - all tasty. Many other restaurants within a couple blocks. A bonus was a laundry a block or two north where my daughter dropped off her laundry and picked it up a couple hours later before continuing her journey. Hubby found a market a block or so away and bought cheap bottled water (tip!), cookies, wine, and fresh fruit for us to snack on. The hotel even gave us a treat at the end of our stay. Thanks Papa Germano! Lynn

Posted By Lynn on August 21, 2009, 12:50 AM

My daughter and I stayed at Hotel Eliseo during Holy Week. Located at the top of Via Veneto and across from Villa Borghese. Very nicely appointed rooms, mini-frig, rooftop breakfast area - lovely view of park and Vatican - very friendly staff. Rates quite reasonable. Walk to most everything otherwise, public transport very close - Barberini station.

Posted By nancy on August 21, 2009, 10:22 AM

We have stayed in convents and monasteries while in Italy. They are usually located close to significant attractions... clean... quiet... verrry economical and good resources for other such facilities down the line. Though we tended to eat at the smaller mom and pop cafes, many convents and monasteries have modest meal plans.

Posted By Jim on August 21, 2009, 1:13 PM

The Lemon Garden near the Vatican was wonderful with delicious breakfasts and beautiful bedrooms,

Posted By milie on August 21, 2009, 8:17 PM

These are not budget hotels. I advise the Youth Hostel in Roma around 20 Euros per bed per night. They do have a couple of family rooms, otherwise dorms, men on the Zero Piano (our 1st Floor) & women on 1st Piano (our 2nd Floor). It's bare bones, limited amenities, group showers with only partitions & a few shower curtians, but it's the cheapest in Roma.

The website: www.hihostels.com

Use the dropboxes for country (Italy) & city
(Rome).

Ciao!

Posted By Bruce Edward Logan on August 22, 2009, 12:52 AM

Hotel Columbia, close to the Temini station, small and quaint with a very friendly staff and great breafast served on the top terrace area, which is great for a light snack and wine in the evenings!

Posted By linda on August 22, 2009, 10:58 AM

Could anyone recommend more quaint inexpensive hotels near the Spanish steps?

Posted By Denise on August 24, 2009, 11:52 AM

I started and finished my recent trip to Italy in Rome, so had the good fortune of staying at two beautiful little hotels. The first, Hotel Bramante, was very reasonably priced, about a block away from the Vatican, and wonderfully comfortable. I had flowers in a window box outside my bedroom, and a beautiful breakfast every morning. The second hotel, Hotel Due Torri, was equally as affordable and quaint, and was nicely situated within easy walking distance of just about everything, from the Pantheon to the Piazza del Popolo.

As for eating, I had plenty of beautiful meals, but the best and cheapest were from I Fratellini, a hole-in-the-wall (literally) selling panini and chianti, and La Antica Salumeria, a little deli where they'll make you a picnic that you can enjoy right in front of the Pantheon.

(On a side-note, I will never forget the kindness of Vita at the salumeria, who helped this solo traveler arrange an unforgettable last meal in Rome! La Vita e bella!)

Posted By Julia on August 25, 2009, 4:48 PM

The Sunset Hotel on Via Serpenti was walking distance to the main Termini station and was easy to find after arriving by plane. The rooms had modern furnishings and ceiling beams gave them character. If you stuck your head out the window and looked left you could see the Coliseum at the end of the street and even us 50 somethings found it an easy walk to the Forum, Pantheon and Trevi. Within one block there were many groceries, gelato and small restaurants - our favorite was the DoDo two doors down for seafood risotto. Right next door was an excellent Apple internet site. 130e a night.

Posted By JoAnne Hughes on August 26, 2009, 10:19 AM

We stayed at La Porta Magica B&B for 80,00 per night for a wonderful double Room. Good article.

Posted By mike on September 14, 2009, 10:28 AM

I really enjoyed the Beehive in Rome (http://www.the-beehive.com/). Good location - very close to the train station and easy to walk to many places from here. Very modern and stylish and very clean - a great budget-priced hotel.

Posted By kriskelly49 on October 26, 2009, 12:36 PM