Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
While there's plenty of choice, accommodation in Rome is expensive. The nicest place to
stay is the
centro storico,
where you'll have everything on your doorstep. Midrange
choices abound, but there's only a smattering of good budget options. Near the Vatican,
peaceful Prati is a good bet with a decent range of options, excellent restaurants and con-
venient metro stations (line A). Trastevere is drop-dead gorgeous and a great place to
spend summer evenings, but it can be noisy.
The cheapest places are around Stazione Termini. This area, although not as bad as it's
sometimes made out to be, is not Rome's most beautiful, and some of the streets to the
west of the station, particularly Via Giolitti, can be dodgy at night. Women in particular
should be careful. That said, it's convenient and most sights are only a metro ride away.
Rome doesn't really have a low season as such but most hotels drop prices from
November to March (excluding Christmas and New Year) and from mid-July through
August. Expect to pay top whack in spring (April to June) and autumn (September and
October) and over the main holiday periods (Christmas, New Year and Easter).
Always try to book ahead. If you arrive without a reservation, there's a
hotel reservation
7am-10pm)
next to the
06 699 10 00; booking fee €3;
tourist office at Stazione Termini.
You'll find a full list of accommodation options at
www.060608.it
.
HOTEL TAX
Everyone overnighting in Rome has to pay a room occupancy tax on top of the regular accommoda-
tion bill. This amounts to:
»
€1 per person per night for a maximum of five days in campgrounds.
»
€2 per person per night for a maximum of 10 days in
agriturismi
(farm stay accommodation),
B&Bs, guesthouses, convents, monasteries and one-, two- and three-star hotels.
»
€3 per person per night for a maximum of 10 days in four- and five-star hotels.
The tax is applicable to anyone who is not a resident in Rome. Prices quoted in this section don't in-
clude the tax.
Accommodation Options
The bulk of accommodation in Rome is made up of
alberghi
(traditional hotels) and
pen-
sioni
(cheap family-run hotels often in converted apartments). Most central hotels tend to
be three-star and up.
