Where to Stay in Rome: The Best Neighborhoods and Hotels for 2024

Ancient ruins, Renaissance palaces, Baroque churches, boisterous bars, authentic trattorias, and artisan boutiques—Rome has it all. Though the city extends over quite a large area, most visitors choose to stay in the neighborhoods in and around the historic center, where many of the main sights are located. 

The centro storico (historic center) is a bit of a catch-all name for the area that encompasses a large swath of the major sights, including Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, and the Trevi Fountain. The area surrounding the Spanish Steps and Via Veneto is home to some of the city’s most upscale hotels. Affordable accommodations can generally be found in the area around Termini Station and Piazza della Repubblica. For a great location near the Colosseum, it’s hard to beat Monti, a picturesque neighborhood with lots of indie boutiques, bars, and restaurants. Trastevere is also a popular neighborhood to stay in, as it’s full of Airbnbs, but hotels are scarce. Prati is ideal if you want to be near the Vatican, but it lacks the cobblestoned charm of more central neighborhoods.

Rome has plenty of places to stay, ranging from budget B&Bs where you can get a room for less than €100 per night in the low season to opulent grand dames with nightly rates starting upwards of €700. Most of the historic center is fairly walkable, but the farther you stay from the city’s heart, the more time you’ll spend getting around by metro, bus, or taxi. 

Where to stay for the first time in Rome: Centro Storico

Narrow cobblestone lanes crowded with Baroque churches, Renaissance palaces, shops, cafes, and trattorias, the centro storico (historic center) is pretty much the postcard perfect image of Rome you’ve likely seen in the movies. This compact area encompasses major sites like the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and Campo de’ Fiori, as well as plenty of lesser-known museums, churches filled with art by the likes of Caravaggio and Raphael, and other things to do and see. The closest metro stop is about a 15-minute walk away, but this compact area is well served by buses and it’s easy to get around on foot. 

Highlights:

• The Pantheon, an ancient temple-turned-church with the largest unsupported dome in the world
• Piazza Navona, the magnificent oval-shaped piazza that’s home to Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers
• Campo de’ Fiori, the bustling square that hosts a market in the mornings and is a popular nightlife hub in the evenings
• Jewish Ghetto, the spiritual and cultural home of Rome’s Jewish population

The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel

Literally just behind the Pantheon, this member of Marriott’s Autograph Collection puts you smack dab in the heart of the centro storico. The design is sleek, if a bit corporate, but the rooftop terrace with views of the terracotta rooftops ensures you know exactly where you are. It’s also hard to resist the gourmet restaurant Idylio by Apreda, helmed by one of Rome’s top Michelin-starred chefs.

• Room Price: €312 - €529
• Vibe: Sleek and modern
• Free Wifi: Yes
• Kid Friendly: Yes, there are suites that can accommodate 4 people and adjoining rooms for up to 6
• Amenities: Rooftop terrace, smart TVs, gourmet minibars
• Website

Chapter Hotel

Located in the Jewish Ghetto, within easy walking distance of Campo de’ Fiori and the Pantheon, this hip member of Design Hotels attracts savvy travelers with its industrial-luxe design and cool drinking and dining options. The Mexican-themed rooftop bar is popular among locals for margaritas and tacos, while the restaurant Campocori is a sultry spot for avant-garde cuisine. 

• Room Price: €149 - €473
• Vibe: Industrial chic
• Wifi: Yes
• Kid Friendly: Yes
• Amenities: Marshall bluetooth speakers, smart TVs, lounge suited to co-working 
• Website

Six Senses Rome

This ultra-luxurious newcomer by wellness and sustainability-focused Six Senses feels like a modern oasis amid the bustle of the historic center. The design errs on the side of minimalist, but makes use of earthy materials like travertine, marble, wood, and organic linens. The spacious, well equipped spa is the hotel’s main attraction, but the ground-floor restaurant/bar Bivium and rooftop lounge Notos are worth checking out too.

• Room Price: €1,208 - €1,691
• Vibe: Modern spa sanctuary
• Wifi: Yes
• Kid Friendly: Yes, little kids get coloring books while older kids receive coins they can trade in for homemade gelato
• Amenities: Roman baths, yoga, meditation, sound healing, biohacking equipment, complimentary minibars
• Website

Where to stay with kids in Rome: Gianicolo/Monte Mario

Though not technically counted among the seven hills of Rome, Gianicolo and Monte Mario are both hilly neighborhoods just outside the old city center. Gianicolo is just south of the Vatican and Monte Mario is north of it. Both are quiet residential neighborhoods where families will find more room to spread out than in the centro storico. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to take taxis or public transit to reach the sights of the historic center.

Highlights:

• Fontana dell’Acqua Paola, a monumental fountain 
• Garibaldi monument, a statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi, a hero of the movement for Italian unification
• Vatican Museums, the massive museum complex that includes the Sistine Chapel
• Piazza di San Pietro, the main square in Vatican City

Villa Agrippina, a Gran Meliá Hotel

Perched high on Gianicolo Hill, this member of the Leading Hotels of the World offers great views from on high, but the Vatican is just a ten-minute walk downhill. A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, it has plenty of space for kids to roam and a swimming pool that offers a respite from the summer heat. Parents can pamper themselves at the spa and indulge at the gourmet restaurant Follie. 

• Room Price: €573 - €852
• Vibe: Plush
• Free Wifi: Yes
• Kid Friendly: Yes, the hotel offers adjoining rooms and has a kids club in summer
• Amenities: 3 restaurants, spa by Clarins, outdoor pool, gym
• Website

Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria Resort

Located in the residential neighborhood of Monte Mario, this urban resort offers plenty of space to spread out, with a 15-acre private park, three pools, and a huge spa. In the summer, there’s a kids club with gladiator training, treasure hunts, and other activities. It’s also home to destination dining at La Pergola, the city’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurant.

• Room Price
• Vibe: Urban resort
• Free Wifi: Yes
• Kid Friendly: Yes, there’s a dedicated pool for kids, a kids club in summer, and Sunday brunches with a kids corner
• Amenities: 3 pools, luxurious spa, kids club, gym with classes, tennis courts, complimentary shuttle
• Website

Where to stay near the Colosseum: Ancient Rome

History buffs may be eager to stay in the ancient part of the city, which extends roughly from Piazza Venezia and the Campidoglio up Via dei Fori Imperiali to the Colosseum. The ancient ruins stand proudly, almost completely unencumbered by more modern buildings. Just beyond the Colosseum, you’ll find a number of restaurants and bars, while the charming neighborhood of Monti lies just uphill.

Highlights: 

• The Colosseum, the ancient amphitheater that hosted gladiator fights and other spectacles
• The Roman Forum, the beating heart of the ancient Roman Empire
• The Palatine Hill, where emperors like Augustus Caesar built their palaces
• Piazza del Campidoglio, the square designed by Michelangelo that’s home to Rome’s grand city hall and the Capitoline Museums

Palazzo Manfredi

Literally across the street from the Colosseum, this five-star stay in two adjoining buildings is the place to bed down if you dream of waking up to views of the ancient monument. In some of the rooms, even the showers have Colosseum views. And if that wasn’t enough of a reason to check in, the hotel is home to a Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant and one of the best upscale cocktail bars in the city.

• Room Price: €412 - €629
• Vibe: modern classic
• Free Wifi: Yes
• Kid Friendly: Yes, but more for teenagers than tots
• Amenities: cocktail bar, breakfast included, Nespresso machines, gym
• Website

Where to stay near the Trevi Fountain: Trevi

Sandwiched between the centro storico, the Spanish Steps, Monti, and Esquilino, this little neighborhood encompasses the famed Trevi Fountain, the Quirinal Palace (the presidential palace), and Piazza Barberini. If you want to be right in the middle of the hustle and bustle, this is a good place to stay, but if you don’t like crowds, it’s best to avoid the streets immediately surrounding the Trevi Fountain and try to stay in the northeastern part of the neighborhood, near Piazza Barberini.

Highlights: 

• The Trevi Fountain, the emblematic fountain dominated by a sculpture of Oceanus
• Piazza Barberini, a large square featuring Bernini’s Fountain of the Triton
• Palazzo Barberini, a museum inside a palace built for the noble Barberini family
• Piazza del Quirinale, the square that’s home to Italy’s presidential palace

Hotel Maalot

Located just steps from the Trevi Fountain, on one of Rome’s busiest streets, this small boutique hotel feels like a hidden gem in a sea of tourists. Housed in a historic building where opera composer Gaetano Donizetti once lived, it’s got a bit of a whimsical feel, with interiors inspired by English colonial clubs and artwork that looks like Dutch master paintings but with a cheeky twist. The ground-floor restaurant Don Pasquale is an inviting spot for a meal under the greenhouse-like glass ceiling.

• Room Price: €482 - €743
• Vibe: Whimsical
• Free Wifi: Yes
• Kid Friendly: Yes, but there’s not much for kids to do here
• Amenities: restaurant, rum bar, gym, breakfast included, walk-in closets, complimentary minibar
• Website

Where to stay near the Vatican: Prati

The neighborhood adjacent to the Vatican may lack the cobblestone charm of the centro storico across the river, but it’s got a more local feel. Wide boulevards and tree-lined streets are populated by 19th and early 20th-century office buildings and residences. Via Cola di Rienzo is an important shopping street where you’ll find Coin (one of Rome’s few department stores) and plenty of other boutiques, while Piazza Cavour and the streets surrounding it have some great restaurants.

Highlights: 

• Via Cola di Rienzo, a major shopping street
• Piazza Cavour, a leafy piazza surrounded by restaurants and shops
• Castel Sant’Angelo, an ancient mausoleum-turned-fortress where popes took refuge during wars and sieges

Mama Shelter Roma

Despite its proximity to the Vatican, this outpost of the quirky Mama Shelter brand is very LGBTQ+-friendly and sex positive (there are sex toys for sale in the lobby and free adult movies on the TVs). The vibe is fun and funky, with a maximalist take on design, from the kitschy Giardino d’Inverno restaurant to the retro-feeling indoor pool and wellness area. In the summer, the rooftop bar is a fun spot for creative cocktails and bites with views of St. Peter’s dome. 

• Room Price: €109 - €209
• Vibe: Fun and funky
• Free Wifi: Yes
• Kid Friendly: Yes, cots are available and there’s a family brunch every Sunday
• Amenities: rooftop bar, lobby boutique, indoor pool, sauna, gym, flatscreen TVs with free adult movies, fun programming like DJ sets and themed brunches
• Website

Where to stay for one night in Rome: Trastevere

This artsy bohemian neighborhood across the river from the centro storico oozes charm, with narrow cobblestone streets, weathered ochre buildings, and laundry hanging from the windows of apartment buildings. Street performers put on nightly shows in Piazza Trilussa, while visitors and locals pack the restaurants and bars on the surrounding streets. It may get loud and a bit rowdy at night, but you’re only here for one night—if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!

Highlights:

• Piazza Trilussa, the bustling square that gets especially lively in the evenings
• Villa Farnesina, a Renaissance villa (now museum) with ceiling frescoes by Raphael
• Da Enzo al 29, one of the city’s best Roman trattorias
• Freni e Frizioni, an award-winning cocktail bar

Unahotels Trastevere

This new boutique hotel in a quiet part of Trastevere is a great option in a neighborhood dominated by Airbnbs with few hotels. The design is chic and modern, with elegant furniture, black-and-white photographs, and potted plants. Guests love having breakfast on the rooftop terrace and cocktails at the bar. 

• Room Price: €520 - €825
• Vibe: Boutique luxury
• Free Wifi: Yes
• Kid Friendly: Yes, there are family suites that sleep up to five
• Amenities: soundproof rooms, 24-hour front desk
• Website

Where to stay for 3 days in Rome: Spanish Steps

One of Rome’s most famous monuments, the Spanish Steps connect the fashionable Campo Marzio area to the elegant area just south of Villa Borghese. The streets at the bottom of the steps are lined with pricey designer boutiques, while the streets at the top play host to some of the city’s most luxurious hotels. If you want to stay slightly removed from the tourist fray but within easy walking distance of the centro storico, this is the neighborhood to choose.

Highlights:

• The Spanish Steps, a monumental staircase built in 1723 to connect the Trinità dei Monti church with Via Condotti below
• Bernini’s Barcaccia fountain, which resembles a sinking ship
• Via dei Condotti, Rome’s most famous shopping street
• Via Veneto, the street that came to symbolize hedonism in La Dolce Vita

Hotel Eden, a Dorchester Collection Hotel

Originally opened in 1889, this opulent grand dame is one of the city’s most historic hotels. It was taken over and renovated by the Dorchester Collection, which spared no expense in bringing it back to its former glory. You can feel the grandeur as soon as you enter the marble-clad lobby with its gold coffered ceilings and hand-painted frescoes. The sumptuous vibes continue in the rooms and rooftop restaurants, which include Michelin-starred La Terrazza and the more casual Il Gardino.

• Room Price: €1,040 - €1,850
• Vibe: Reborn grand dame
• Free Wifi: Yes
• Kid Friendly: Yes, and kids are pampered with mini bathrobes and treats
• Amenities: spa with Valmont treatments, secret bar in the lobby lounge, butler service on request, hall of fame, Ortigia toiletries
• Website

Hotel de la Ville, a Rocco Forte Hotel

Located on the prestigious Via Sistina atop the Spanish Steps, this hotel by the Rocco Forte Hotels group envelopes guests in luxury with a chic design inspired by the Grand Tour, attentive service, and one of the best rooftop bars in the city. Red-and-white striped umbrellas, unbeatable views, a creative cocktail program, and a DJ spinning tunes some evenings make Cielo a popular spot for locals. The Julep Bar and Da Sistina restaurant are great alternatives when the weather isn’t ideal.

• Room Price: €1,200 - €1,445
• Vibe: Roman modern classic
• Free Wifi: Yes
• Kid Friendly: Yes
• Amenities: spa and gym, Irene Forte bath products, Illy coffee machines
• Website

W Rome

This hip newcomer occupies two conjoined 19th-century buildings on a quiet street between the Spanish Steps and Via Veneto, the street famous for La Dolce Vita. W’s first Italian hotel, it kept the brand’s fun-loving ethos but feels more grown-up than other W hotels. It has not one but two buzzy restaurants by lauded Italian chefs: Giano, which serves elevated Sicilian comfort food by Michelin-starred chef Ciccio Sultano and Seu Pizza Con Vista, the rooftop lounge that serves gourmet pizza by rising star pizzaiolo Pier Daniele Seu. 

• Room Price: €441 - €1,568
• Vibe: buzzy hotspot
• Free Wifi: Yes
• Kid Friendly: Yes
• Amenities: gym, rooftop pool, boutique by cult-favorite concept shop Chez Dede
• Website

Where to stay for a romantic trip to Rome: Piazza del Popolo

Once the northern entrance to the city, the emblematic round Piazza del Popolo is still one of the most characteristic places for people-watching. Locals and visitors gather by the Egyptian obelisk surrounded by lion fountains. The area between here, the Spanish Steps, and the Tiber River is sometimes called the Tridente because the three streets branching off from the piazza form the shape of a trident. Though it’s just a ten-minute walk from the Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo and the area surrounding it feels slightly more relaxed and its elegant hotels are ideal for a romantic trip.

Highlights:

• Piazza del Popolo, the large round piazza with the twin churches on one side and the ancient city gate on the other
• Pincio Hill, a leafy park with a large terrace that’s a popular spot to watch the sunset
• Via Margutta, the little street known for its art galleries and artisan shops
• Villa Borghese, the city’s most beloved public park with a little lake and a replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

Hotel de Russie

Just off Piazza del Popolo on the elegant Via del Babuino, this hotel is a longstanding favorite of locals and visiting celebrities. It’s especially beloved for its “secret garden,” a tranquil oasis hidden amid the hustle and bustle of the city center. The Stravinskij Bar is especially popular for aperitivo and the restaurant, Le Jardin de Russie, serves simple dishes made with the best local ingredients on the upper level of the romantic tiered garden. Don’t skip out on the ravioli cacio e pepe.

• Room Price: €1,460 - €1,750
• Vibe: tranquil garden oasis
• Free Wifi: Yes
• Kid Friendly: Yes, and kids are spoiled with stuffed animals and their own bath products
• Amenities: Irene Forte bath products, in-house florist, courtyard bar, tiered garden
• Website

Hotel Locarno

If your idea of a romantic trip involves checking into a hotel that feels like an Art Deco time capsule from the 1920s, this is the place for you. Tucked down a quiet street off Piazza del Popolo, Hotel Locarno originally opened in 1925 and much of the furnishings and decor are original from that period. The hotel doesn’t have a proper restaurant, but you can canoodle in the alfresco courtyard bar or the rooftop terrace with cocktails and classic dishes like club sandwiches and Caesar salads.

• Room Price: €405 - €639
• Vibe: Art deco time capsule
• Free Wifi: Yes
• Kid Friendly: Yes, there are interconnecting rooms and cots available
• Amenities: 24-hour gym, complimentary bicycles, gourmet minibars
• Website

Where to stay on a budget in Rome: Esquilino/Piazza della Repubblica

While certainly not the most glamorous neighborhood in Rome, Esquilino—the area around Termini Station—is convenient for getting around the city and out of it. Historically one of the city’s most diverse enclaves, thanks to the various immigrant communities that have settled around here, it can feel a bit gritty, but it’s beginning to gentrify, especially the streets around Piazza Vittorio and Piazza Dante, where there are a few cool bars and restaurants that draw a hip local crowd. The charming neighborhood of Monti is within easy walking distance and the rest of the city’s sights are a metro or bus ride away.

Highlights:

• Piazza Vittorio, a large square surrounding a public park
• Nuovo Mercato Esquilino, a bustling market with vendors selling lots of ethnic ingredients
• Palazzo Massimo, one of the locations of the Museo Nazionale Romano (a museum of Roman art)
• Piazza della Repubblica, the round Neoclassical square that serves as a gateway connecting Termini Station to the rest of the city
• Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria, a small church where you can see Bernini’s statue of Saint Teresa in Ecstasy 

The Beehive

This little hostel is run by an American couple that also happens to make the city’s best bagels. The accommodations are basic, but the walls are decorated with art by the owners’ family and friends and they cultivate a friendly, community-oriented vibe with aperitivi and other events. There are female-only dorms and mixed-gender dorms as well as private rooms with either a shared or private bathroom. Guests can use the self-catering kitchen and relax in the courtyard garden.

• Room Price: €92 - €121 for a private room
• Vibe: Homespun hostel
• Free Wifi: Yes
• Kid Friendly: Yes, but because of the room types the property is more suited to one kid traveling with one parent
• Amenities: self-catering kitchen, courtyard garden, lounge
• Website

The RomeHello

Around the corner from Piazza della Repubblica and about a ten-minute walk to Termini Station, this hotel/hostel hybrid has plenty of affordable accommodations for solo travelers, families, and groups of friends. Rooms are modern, if a bit spartan, but the common areas are decorated with street art. There are traditional double rooms, private rooms with twin bunk beds, private triple or quadruple rooms, and shared dorms.

• Room Price: €94 - €189 for a private room
• Vibe: young and fun
• Free Wifi: Yes
• Kid Friendly: Yes
• Amenities: street art gallery, ping pong, table tennis, cooking classes, free walking tours, community dinners, movie nights
• Website

Where to stay in the city center in Rome: Monti

Named for the sloping hills that characterize the neighborhood, Monti is centrally located between Esquilino and the Colosseum. A charmingly artsy vibe permeates the neighborhood, whose cobblestone streets are lined with indie boutiques, bars, and restaurants. The area is very lively, especially in the evenings, but feels more local and less overrun than the centro storico. It’s well connected by metro and buses to the rest of the city’s sites.

Highlights:

• Piazza della Madonna dei Monti, a busy local square with a fountain in the center
• The Church of San Pietro in Vincoli, home to Michelangelo’s Moses
• Shops on Via del Boschetto and Via Urbana
• Drink Kong, listed as one of the World’s 50 Best Bars

Condominio Monti

This small hotel inside a couple of historic buildings has a stylish, modern design and a fun rooftop bar called Spritzeria. Breakfast is served on the rooftop for hotel guests in the morning and locals flock there in the evening for creative Spritzes and light bites. Some rooms are quite snug, but there are larger rooms and suites that can accommodate families. 

• Room Price: €131 - €258
• Vibe: Urban boutique hotel
• Free Wifi: Yes
• Kid Friendly: Yes
• Amenities: Marshall speakers, complimentary coffee and tea, rooftop bar
• Website

NH Collection Fori Imperiali

Situated on the edge of Monti where the neighborhood meets Rome’s ancient ruins, this sleek hotel is a stone’s throw from the Roman Forum. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find better views of the Forum and the Altare della Patria than the ones from the rooftop bar/restaurant. Rooms are equipped with modern comforts like flat screen TVs and espresso machines, but the rooftop definitely steals the show. Be sure to head up there for an aperitivo and to watch the sunset.

• Room Price: €444 - €658
• Vibe: Sleek and modern
• Free Wifi: Yes
• Kid Friendly: Yes
• Amenities: rooftop bar, 24-hour concierge, bicycle rental
• Website

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