Sunday, October 09, 2011

Rome Hotels - A Brief Guide to Hotel Locations


Rome is divided in two by the River Tiber. The city is more commonly divided up into different areas for example to the left of the river lies the Vatican and the Trastevere, while the 'Centro Storico' historical centre, Termini, Repubblica, Porta Pia, the Colosseum and the Univerisity area are some of the more popular areas on the right of the river.
The one thing to remember about booking a hotel in Rome is that no matter where you choose to stay you'll never be convenient to all attractions, unless that is, you love walking. Of course this is the best way to see the city, but do remember to wear flat shoes (lots of cobbled streets!) and find yourself a really good street map. Actually you'll have no choice but to walk in the historical centre of the city as cars are not allowed (unless they have a valid permit).
Rome hotels near Termini...
If you're not up for that much walking, you should base yourself near Termini Station (Stazione Termini). Termini Station is the main railway and metro station in the city. From here you can get a train connection to almost any city in Italy. This station is also the point at where the red metro Line A and blue metro Line B meet, as Rome has only two metro lines which cross the city in the shape of an 'X'. From Termini Station you can take the red Line A over to the Vatican, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain or to the Basilica de San Giovanni in Laterano. Or you can take the blue Line B to the Colosseum or Circo Massimo.
More city centre hotels in Rome...
There are lots of hotels in the historical centre of Rome close to top attractions. There are Rome hotels close to the Trevi Fountain and a short walk of the world famous Colosseum and if you want to be based close to the Pantheon, right in the heart of the historical centre, there are actually some Rome hotels which actually occupy the same piazza (square) as the temple!
If you're only a short while in the city and want to make the most of it then choose a hotel in the Centro Storico (Historic centre) which is the heart of the city. The Pantheon can be found in the historic centre of the city in the Piazza della Rotonda. There are lots of lovely winding streets and piazzas to explore in this ancient part of the city like Piazza Navona and Campo de Fiori.
Other well located Rome hotels can be found close to Porta Pia, north of Termini Station. Porta Pia has excellent bus connections with the city centre.
For shopping why not choose one of the Rome hotels located in a prime location on a street called Via Nazionale and is just a short walk from Repubblica metro station.
Rome hotels near the Vatican...
If you want to stay near the Vatican you'll have to book your accommodation well in advance as the Vatican is a year round mecca for pilgrims. And although it's always a busy area it's relatively quiet at night compared with other parts of the city centre. There are many Rome hotels within walking distance of the Vatican.
Other Rome hotels...
There are lots of Rome hotels scattered outside the city centre which are perfect if you prefer to be apart from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. You can choose from hotels in the city suburbs like EUR (9km from city) and Nuovo Salario (25 minutes from city centre) or even the coastal destination of Ostia (about half an hour west of Rome).
With such a good transport network (made up of buses and the metro) you won't need a car in this city, but if you do hire a car to discover the wonderful Lazio region you'll want to be located close to Rome's Grande Raccordo Anulare (GRA), the major motorway which orbits the city. There are also some Rome hotels located within a few minutes drive of this ring road.
Rome is a year round destination so it's important to book your hotel well in advance especially if you're coming for a major religious festival (Easter or Christmas). The months of July and August can be uncomfortably hot, which can make visiting attractions and queuing in the heat a chore. It's also worth bearing in mind that if you do decide to come in August, especially around the 15th - don't be surprised if you see a lot of shops and restaurants closed - particularly if you're staying outside the historic centre. This is an annual holiday (the Romans call it Ferragosto) where the local people close their businesses and go on holidays to the coast, as the city can be very hot during this period.
And if you're hiring a car (check out our sister website Novacarhire.com for Car Hire Rome) it's advisable to check with your accommodation first with regards to parking. Onsite parking and even street parking is very rare but most Rome hotels will be able to direct you to a private garage close by.
Hotels in Rome range from 1 star to 5 star. If you're looking for cheap hotels in Rome, choose a 1 or 2 star hotel and try to locate your hotel outside the historic city centre.
Visit our Rome hotels page now and find one that suits your taste and budget.
Hope this helps you to choose the perfect Rome hotel.
Mairead writes for top travel and accommodation website PlacesToStay.com
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