Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Double rooms listed in this chapter range from about €65 (very simple, toilet and shower
down the hall) to €400 (maximum plumbing and more), with most clustering around €150
(with private bathrooms). I've favored these pricier options, because intense Rome is easier
to enjoy with a welcoming oasis to call home.
Some places give you a small discount (about 5 percent) if you pay cash. Haggle if you
arrive late in the day during off-season (roughly mid-July through August and November
through mid-March). It's common for hotels in Rome to lower their prices 10-50 percent in
theoff-season,althoughpricesathostelsandthecheaperhotelswon'tfluctuatemuch.Room
rates are lowest in sweltering August.
Traffic in Rome roars. Thanks to double-paned windows and air-conditioning, night
noise is not the problem it once was. Even so, light sleepers who ask for a
tranquillo
room
will likely get a room in the back...and sleep better. Once you actually see your room, con-
sider the potential problem of night noise. If necessary, don't hesitate to ask for a quieter
room.
Almost no hotels have parking, but nearly all have a line on spots in a nearby garage
(about €24/day).
Convents:
Although I list just a few, Rome has many convents that rent out rooms. See
the Church of Santa Susanna's website for a list (
www.santasusanna.org
,
select “Coming to
Rome”). At convents, the beds are twins and English is often in short supply, but the price is
right. Consider these nun-run places, all listed in this chapter: the expensive but divine
Casa
di Santa Brigida
(near Campo de' Fiori),
Suore di Santa Elisabetta
(near Santa Maria
Maggiore),
Casa Sant'Sofia
(near the Colosseum),
Casa Il Rosario
(near Piazza Venezia),
and
Casa per Ferie Santa Maria alle Fornaci
(near the Vatican).
Hostels:
If going the hostel route, consider the ones I list in this chapter (within a
10-minute walk of Termini train station), or check
www.backpackers.it
for more listings.
Sleep Code
(€1 = about $1.30)
S
= Single,
D
= Double/Twin,
T
= Triple,
Q
= Quad,
b
= bathroom,
s
= shower only.
Unless otherwise noted, breakfast is included, hotel staff speak basic English, and
credit cards are accepted.
