Accommodation will always be one of your biggest travel expenses…but what if it wasn’t? What if you could reduce the cost of your accommodation to zero while still enjoying the comforts of home? That’s what house swaps promise. House swaps have been around for decades. It was the entire premise of the movie The Holiday (starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet). They became all the rage but then were soon eclipsed by sites like Airbnb. But as travel prices skyrocketed post-COVID, more and more people have turned back to house swaps as a means of saving money while they travel while still getting a local experience (but without the hassle of an Airbnb). House swaps are exactly what they sound like. You sign up, list your home, and then swap with someone else in another city. They stay in your place and you stay in their place. The biggest and most popular platform for swaps is HomeExchange . And, in this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know to get started with a house swa...
Posted: 12/14/23 | December 14th, 2023
The Eternal City, Rome has a rich history stretching back millennia. Over the centuries, it’s been rebuilt and rebuilt (and then rebuilt again), creating layers and layers of history for the modern-day traveler to explore. Wandering through the city, it seems like every time you round a corner, you come across an ancient column or ruin.
While the history is a major reason to visit, and with seemingly countless sights to visit, Rome is also an incredible city for food, bursting at the seams with delicious restaurants at every turn (Trastevere is my favorite neighborhood for dining out).
But no matter your reasons for visiting Italy’s capital, one decision that will greatly impact your experience is your choice of hotel. Rome is a big city with a ton of great neighborhoods and hotels to choose from, but not all of them are created equal. So, today I wanted to share some of my favorites to help you find the best option for you.
Here is my list of the best hotels in Rome:
1. Loly Boutique Hotel Roma
This boutique property is located in Trastevere, my favorite part of town. A former working-class district filled with cobblestoned alleyways, in recent years it’s become a bohemian hot spot for foodies and tourists wanting to go beyond the big-name attractions. Loly Boutique Hotel Roma is super quiet, and the rooms have a lot of natural light, beautiful modern decor, and comfortable beds. The lobby is exquisitely decorated and breakfast is included. It feels more like a five-star hotel than something midrange. The owners and staff are really friendly and helpful too.
2. Colosseo Prestige Rooms
This hotel is located in Monti, a neighborhood that’s smack in the city center. As the very oldest part of Rome, it’s filled with winding cobblestone streets, antique stores, quirky cafés, intimate bars, and shops to explore.
Colosseo Prestige Rooms has friendly owners and a gelato bar at the back of the building. This property is clean and new, which makes up for the fairly small (but nicely decorated) rooms. All rooms are air-conditioned, with a desk, coffee machine, fridge and minibar, flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom (there’s even a bidet in each one).
3. Eurostars Roma Aeterna
Right on the Piazza del Pigneto, the namesake of the neighborhood, this hotel used to be a pharmaceutical factory. Less than a 15-minute tram ride from the center of Rome, the area is colorful and full of interesting street art and murals that’s had a hipster makeover in recent years. As for the hotel, it has huge rooms decorated with minimalist but stylish décor, offers a delicious breakfast, and has a decent gym too.
4. Luxury on the River
Despite its name, this is a midrange hotel (although it is located on the river). There’s real Italian flare to the décor, and the hotel boasts a cozy lounge and library as well. The staff here are super helpful, and the rooms are quite large and airy.
As for the neighborhood, Prati is close to St Peter’s Square and the Vatican and includes Via Cola di Rienzo, one of the most well-known shopping streets for high-end brands. Prati is also an area where you’re less likely to find hordes of tourists, so if you want a quieter area to stay in, especially at night, this is it.
5. Crossing Condotti
Situated just around the corner from the famous Spanish Steps, Crossing Condotti is a small and elegant boutique hotel with an entrance off a quiet street. It has beautiful antique décor and parquet floors, and if you’re traveling with kids, you can stay in the adjacent building, which has convenient suites comprised of two connecting double bedrooms.
Staying here means you might not get a particularly “local” feel for what it’s like to live in Rome, but you’ll be near many of the places you’ll want to visit, so it’s very convenient. Strolling back to your hotel, you’ll pass historic sites, venerable architecture, and endless options for dining.
6. Hotel Laurentia
If you want to stay somewhere budget-friendly with a fun vibe, then San Lorenzo (which is walking distance east of the city center) is the neighborhood for you. Located in the liveliest section of the neighborhood, this hotel offers spacious rooms (ranging from singles to quadruples) with a simple but elegant look. The rooms have large bathrooms, comfy beds, desks, and flatscreen TVs. The dining area also has an interesting design, with large brick arches dividing it into somewhat separate sections for privacy while you eat.
7. Monti Palace Hotel
This stylish hotel includes a complimentary and wholesome buffet breakfast and a rooftop bar with gorgeous views of the city. The rooms are spacious, sleek, and well lit, with a lot of wood, natural light, and a voguish modern design. This neighborhood is right in the center of the city too, so you’re close to all the major archaeological sites. If you want to be near those (as well as the main train station), this is the perfect hotel to choose.
8. Hotel Royal Court
Offering incredible value, this four-star hotel is located on the Termini Station side of the San Lorenzo neighborhood. It has an art nouveau look, with wood flooring and period furniture, and many of the rooms have really unique furnishings. The rooms and bathrooms are large; the quadruple rooms are a great option for family trips.
Rome is one of the most iconic cities in the world. I love everything about it, from the tucked away restaurants serving delicious food to the cobblestoned streets lined with millennia of history. And by staying at one of the hotels I recommended above, you’ll be to fully enjoy your trip to the Eternal City knowing you’ve got a great place to lay your head after a long day of exploring.
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Book Your Trip to Rome: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. It is my favorite search engine, because it searches websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone is being left unturned!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld, as it has the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com, as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancelations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- Safety Wing (best for everyone)
- Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money too.
Need a Guide?
Rome has some really interesting tours. My favorite company is Take Walks. It has expert guides and can get you behind the scenes at the city’s best attractions.
If you prefer food tours, Devour is the best company. I always learn a ton and eat incredible food on its tours!
Want More Information on Rome?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Rome for even more planning tips!
Photo credits: 2 – Loly Boutique Hotel Roma, 3 – Colosseo Prestige Rooms, 4 – Eurostars Roma Aeterna, 5 – Luxury on the River, 6 – Crossing Condotti, 7 – Hotel Laurentia, 8 – Monti Palace Hotel, 9 – Hotel Royal Court
The post The 8 Best Hotels in Rome appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.
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