Where to Stay
The 'Eternal City' holds a fascination for young people, tourists, businessmen, pilgrims and anyone in search of history, art, culture, business and entertainment. This means that Rome's tourist season remains uninterrupted all year round and despite the ample choice of hotels, it is not always easy to find a room at the last minute, so make sure to book at least a couple of weeks in advance.
The majority of the luxury and five-star hotels can be found in the
centro storico (historic centre). Naturally, they are as elegant and refined as their ancient surroundings, but with an efficiency and courtesy that is modern and unobtrusive. There are several excellent hotels on fashionable Via Veneto including the
Ambasciatori Palace, the
Hotel Majestic, the
Westin Excelsior and the
Eden. All of these hotels served as sets in Federico Fellini's film
La Dolce Vita. The exclusive
Bernini Bristol looks onto the attractive Tritone fountain, while the
Hassler Villa Medici, at the top of the Trinita' dei Monti steps, is a constant destination for the international jet-set. Unforgettable for their luxury and sheer class are the
Parco dei Principi, the
De La Ville, the
Grand Hotel Plaza (with its warm turn-of-the century feel), and the
Grand Hotel de la Minerve at the Pantheon. If you need tranquillity but appreciate nature and greenery, then you may prefer the
Lord Byron, which is also particularly suited to the needs of businessmen and women. Generally classed in the four-star category are the small but very elegant hotels, often housed in old palaces, with well-kept and welcoming common rooms. Some even have balconies with views of the city, or well-tended gardens that are pleasant to relax in during the summer. Of particular note amongst the 'four stars' are the
Valadier in
Piazza del Popolo, the
D'Inghilterra and the
Dei Borgognoni near the lively
Piazza di Spagna.
The most popular three-star hotels are those that are situated around Campo dei Fiori (the district of the young and the wealthy), full of charming little piazzas with interesting nooks and crannies. Here you will find the
Hotel Teatro di Pompeo and the
Albergo del Sole. At Aventino (an oasis of peace amongst gardens, cloisters and attractive churches) you will find the comfortable
Domus Aventina. If you are fascinated by ancient Rome, then the
Bolivar and the
Richmond (with their unique views over the imperial forums), will make your stay even more magical.
Many of the traditional
pensioni (bed and breakfasts), are privately run and manage to maintain a simple and friendly atmosphere. This makes them preferable to the big hotels, especially for prolonged stays. There are lots of pensioni to be found around the main railway station,
Stazione Termini, like the
Grifo. In Trastevere, the capital's most lively and colourful area, you will find
La Cisterna.