I am planning to spend 4 nights in Rome in January. I will be spending my time there taking tours (I already have reservations for them) which depart from the Vastours Terminal. I would like to find an inexpensive but comfortable and safe hotel from which I can get to and from the Vastours Terminal easily and inexpensively. And I would like to stay in a neighborhood where there are some options for relatively inexpensive but good meals.

I realize inexpensive and comfortable are a relative terms -- I am a 61 year old woman on a fixed income. I am trying to keep stress on this trip to an absolute minimum. I am not an experienced traveler and I would prefer not to try to navigate a bus system in a city I'm not familiar with. Here in the US I am very comfortable in Comfort Inns and motels of that ilk.

I would love your advice about hotels you would recommend.

I would also like to know about transportation between Fiumicino Airport and the hotel. I arrive in Rome from Casablanca (if my plane is on time) at 8:25 PM. My flight back to the US leaves Rome at 7:20 AM, so I'm thinking I'd like to be at the airport at 3:20 AM.

How reliable is Rome Airport Shuttle? Do you think if I make reservations with them, I can count on their being there on time?

http://www.romashuttle.com/

If not, who would you recommend?

Many many thanks for any advice you can offer me.

Ciao, traveler. You've come to the right place for help and answers to your questions. First, let me say I've been a member of this board since it's earliest days and have had the best advice and information for many topics.

I'm also about your age and appreciate your situation. I travel very modestly especially in these days of economic instability. One of the things I've found in large cities like Rome is that if I go to the main train station there I can get very discounted hotel rooms on the same day of my arrival. I've gotten 5 star hotel rooms for half the price which makes me feel like a queen!

I usually take the Leonardo express train from the airport into Rome when I arrive at the airport for about $14 and it's a 35 minute ride. Leaves regularly, all day long.

For early morning flights when public transportation is not running I've always found that any of the limo companies I've hired have been reliable and on time.

I'd also check on this Board for recommendations of budget hotels and B & B's. Or check some of the websites listed for "budget" and be sure to read the reviews.

Hope this is helpful. Have a wonderful trip.......ciao,
Cheryl

quote:

I would like to find an inexpensive but comfortable and safe hotel from which I can get to and from the Vastours Terminal easily and inexpensively.

You might want to consider at the Boncompagni Suite B&B because the price and location fit your criteria. I can't give a recommendation since I have only found it on the internet this evening by looking for places that fit your two criteria....their website looks pretty good and I would personally consider it. It appears to be a 5-8 minute walk from Vastours Terminal (0.26 miles).


A caution...since this isn't a hotel, you should make sure you can arrive at 10:30 PM or later. They may not have a reception area staffed all the time.

Also. Bus 910, which originates at Termini station, goes in front of the Vastours Terminal. The street there, Via Piemonte, is one-way northbound so 910 returns southbound to Termini on a parallel street, via Quintino Sella, a couple of blocks to the east.

I hope this helps.

Bill

Here is my review of an inexpensive authentic restaurant in the Vastours area, where you'd enjoy a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of the city. There a number of small inexpensive restaurants in that area and we tried a couple of others, but I found this to be the least expensive and the most straightforward - i.e. it's all about the food and service - no atmosphere.

And here is a hotel on Via Aureliana which is in that immediate area. It's around 200 Euros/night for a double room or 165 for a single, including breakfast. Small (somewhat cramped)rooms, but a decent rate.

This is an interest article on how to spot a bad restuarant in Italy it's very interesting. They agree with Jeff that the Cantina Cantarini is good in fact they call it the perfect Roman Restaurant.Here is a link to the story. You Can get a bad meal in Rome

Have to agree, but I certainly cannot speak for ALL Roman restaurants. The most I can say is I've had good and bad, but I never analyzed why the diff! This article sums up Cantina Cantarini pretty well, though.

Here's my negative take on another place in the same Spagna, Barberini, Veneto area, but for a host of "other" reasons.

When I first started researching for my first trip to Rome, I was recommended the Hotel Duca d'Alba in Colosseum area

You might also consider Nicholas Inn on the via Cavour, near the colosseum. Its American owner, Melissa Nicholas (with husband Francois), is a frequent ST contributor. Check Here for its Slow Trav reviews.

Many many thanks for this wonderful advice!

quote:

Originally posted by lnsf:
I would also like to know about transportation between Fiumicino Airport and the hotel. I arrive in Rome from Casablanca (if my plane is on time) at 8:25 PM. My flight back to the US leaves Rome at 7:20 AM, so I'm thinking I'd like to be at the airport at 3:20 AM.

How reliable is Rome Airport Shuttle? Do you think if I make reservations with them, I can count on their being there on time?

First getting to the airport....we've used Rome Airport Shuttle with no problem in the past, but your hotel (once selected) will also be able to make a recomendation and reservation for you.

Now, about getting to the airport at 3:20 a.m! Yikes! It's been a while since we've had an early morning flight, and maybe things have changed, but in the past the check-in counters didn't even open until 6:00 a.m. Perhaps someone else can offer current info.

Again, the Hotel and/or limo company will be glad to give advice relative to when to arrive for an early departure and what time to depart your hotel, etc.. I'd go with what they say.