I think Hostel Alessandro Palace & Bar is suitable for you.

I think I passed over Alessandro because it includes a bar and I’d rather leave that to the people who really enjoy it. I gave it another look, but I’m still unconvinced. I was really hoping not to stay right by Termini.

Hostel Des Artistes is another one I’m looking at that it still near Termini, but looks a bit quieter and is less per night.

Still unsure. Thanks.

They’re all pretty close to Termini, and I understand you not wanting to stay close to there. I don’t exactly recall this neighborhood, but Sandy hostel looks to be close to Santa Maria Maggiore which is a really nice church/piazza. I don’t remember much about the surrounding areas though.

You could also look into budget hotels for any options…

I just added ‘Hostel Reviews’ to the hostels here on eurotrip. Hopefully that will help you in your research. Cheers…

Thanks a bunch. This really helped me to find some places I hadn’t seen on the other sites. I feel much better about my choice of accommodations in Rome now.

Hi Moomagoo,

I stayed at Hotel Des Artistes as a backpacker in 03. We liked it, especially because the lobby is fancy like a real hotel, and when we came in from the heat, drenched in sweat, after our overnight train they let us take a shower in the lobby’s private bathroom. I also don’t like staying near Termini in rome, its kinda sketchy and not the glorious part of the city by a long shot, but I remember that considering i was in that area, it didn’t seem so bad. (I studied abroad in rome, know the areas pretty well). It was fairly quiet. though i think a lot of the noise factor is luck—who is sharing the dorms with you that night. you know those kids who come in drunk chatting loudly and turning on the lights. argh!

I don’t completely agree. I think the area immediately around Termini is pretty seedy, and I’d avoid it at night as a solo female traveler. I didn’t really like being around there after dark, and I always had at least one other person with me. I mean, I’m not saying it’s ridiculously dangerous or anything like that, but I’d rather err on the side of caution and just stay a bit further away from Termini. Just moving a bit north/west of Termini gets you into some nicer areas.

Also, it’s so easy to get to Termini quickly that you don’t need to stay near there in order to get there to travel to your next location.

To some extent it depends on which door you use to leave Termini. We stayed on Via Volturno. The hotel was a very short walk from Termini and there was nothing I consider seedy near the hotel or on the walk between the hotel and Termini — frankly, I can’t think of anywhere I’ve stayed in 10 trips to Europe that I would consider safer. Further, you’re very unlikely to be on the street near Termini when there aren’t a lot of other people around — far more comfortable for me than a “quiet” street somewhere else.

I dunno. I lived on a “quiet” street (with a host mother) in Trastevere (not right over the river either, but like 20 mins further on the tram) and I felt like that was a much safer neighborhood than the Termini area. Of course, that was not an area where there were hostels/hotels (there was a hotel about 5 mins from my apartment).

Anyway moomagoo, I think one of the hostels you mentioned was pretty close to Santa Maria Maggiore, which is close to Termini and that was a very nice area as I recall. (also the church is really nice and worth a look!)

I don’t mean to overstate any “dangers” about Termini. I just would be careful being alone later in the evening (which of course is not exclusive to Termini but rather good common sense almost anywhere).

Personally, I can understand not wanting to stay near Termini. I’ve lived in Rome and am familiar with the different vibes/feelings you get in different parts of the city. I’ve also seen many acquaintances book hotels near Termini not knowing much about the areas of Rome and then complaining a lot about the area. I would go even further and say that a few people have told me they didn’t like Rome, found it dirty/noisy/seedy/overwhelming etc. Rome is my favorite place in the world (also my birthplace!) so when I hear that someone didn’t love it, I am always sad and ask a lot of questions to figure out what happened. In each of those situations, the people stayed near Termini. I think the atmosphere just isn’t a good ambassador for the beautiful eternal city. So now, when people ask me tips for travel to Rome,I tell them not to stay right near the train station, but to get as close as they can to the Trevi fountain area/Spanish steps, as that makes for happy first-time traveler to Rome. I’m going in July and am staying near the Colosseo. I would love to stay in Trastevere but surprisingly it’s quite expensive there.

I agree 100% with this. The atmosphere in the ancient part of Rome is just so special and wonderful, and thats what I love about Rome too. I only got to live there for 3 months and wish it was longer!

sarahbeths- when are you going in July? I’m also going in July too & I’ll also be staying right near the Colosseo! I’m so excited- especially excited for my friends to experience Rome as well.

Dreaming of Italy,
I’m going july 3-7! will you be there then? I booked at hotel viminale (sp?) seems like a good value for the location. What about you?

I lived there 4 months! I know what you mean, I want to go back and live there again.

Im excited to show my boyfriend Rome through my eyes-he was only there for one night (hahaha can you imagine trying to do Rome in a day/night?) and didn’t get the real experience.

I’m just a bit after you! I’m in Rome July 14-18. I think we are staying at hotel Arena-house.. it also seems like an awesome value for the location, just haven’t booked yet.

I can’t even imagine doing Rome in one day or night…I mean my first day in Rome was SO overwhelming and hectic…but my friend has done it too! He did a cruise thing a couple summers ago and they had like 8 hours on shore… he’s definitely wicked excited to actually see something this time! And my other friend has never been, so this should be great.