If you plan to go to Rome, Italy, for your next great vacation, then you are heading to one of Europe’s oldest and most romantic cities. Not for nothing is it called the Eternal City. It is the fertile ground that is the seedbed of European history. So, with all the things Rome offers to see and do, you may be wondering, what are the best hotels?
The 10 best hotels in Rome, Italy can be found close to the city center. These hotels are adjacent to Rome’s famous attractions, making them perfect for tourists interested in visiting the best parts of the city.
These 10 hotels give you easy access to the most exciting and famous attractions that Rome offers. Keep reading to learn more about the 10 best hotels in Rome, Italy.
Best Hotels in Rome Italy
Where Should a First-Time Tourist Stay in Rome?
The best area to stay in or near when you first visit Rome is the city center. There are many interesting and lively neighborhoods in Rome, but districts surrounding the city center will give you the ideal location for seeing the sites that first-time visitors often want to see.
The best districts to stay on your first trip to Rome are:
- Pantheon
- Montie District
- Piazza Navona
These districts will keep you close to the action. In fact, in the Pantheon area, you cannot get any closer. But from any of these areas, you can experience the old Roman charm and be close to the all the sites you are probably aching to see, such as:
- The Colosseum
- Trevi Fountain
- Spanish Steps
- Roman Forum
You do not want to miss out on these because you had to catch a bus into the city center every day which ate away at your sightseeing time.
Is Rome a Walkable City?
The great thing about staying in the districts listed above is that you can walk to almost every major site that is on your list to see.
For example, if you were to use the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, and the Campo de’ Fiori to sketch a rough triangle around most of the main attractions that Rome has to offer, this is how long it would take you to walk that triangle:
- 27 minutes from the Colosseum to the Spanish Steps
- 22 minutes from the Spanish Steps to Campo de’ Fiori
- 26 minutes from Campo de’ Fiori to the Colosseum
And while you are walking this route, you are passing by such legendary sites as:
- Domus Aurea
- Villa Borghese
- Sant’Andrea della Valle
- A plethora of places to eat and drink
Rome’s city center is not only walkable, but it is also an absolute must for you to walk it, especially if this is your first time in the city. So get your boots on the ground and see what it is all about. By picking one of the best hotels in Italy, you will not have to waste your time with car rentals or public transport, except possibly to get to the Vatican.
10 Best Hotels in Rome Italy
By reading this list of the 10 best hotels in Rome, you are cutting off hours of fruitless research. This article has the hotels that you want to explore for your perfect vacation to Rome without wasting time on dead ends.
These hotels are ideal for anyone but especially for first-time visitors who want to make memories of the Eternal City that last a lifetime by having easy access to the most memorable sites of the city.
1. First Hotel Roma Arte
This hotel is a little more on the outskirts of the action but still a manageable walk to attractions in the city center, being about:
- 17 minutes from Trevi Fountain
- 37 minutes from the Colosseum
So some things will be a little longer hike than others, but the Roma Arte is located scenically between the Villa Borghese and the River Tiber in a neighborhood bustling with places to eat and have a drink at the beginning or end of your day.
2. Hotel Colosseum
By contrast, the Hotel Colosseum sits a comfortable 14 minutes from the attraction for which it is named. Located smack dab in the middle of the Monti neighborhood, the Hotel Colosseum is an easy walk from just about everything.
But if you are tired, the hotel has a rooftop terrace that offers fantastic panoramic views of the city, which are compelling during day or night.
While being within walking distance from one of the most amazing sites in the world, you will surely have some questions about it. For instance, why is the Colosseum broken? There are many resources available in Rome and online that will help with those questions.
3. Hotel de Russie
This hotel is in the same area as the first mention on the list, Hotel Roma Arte. The Hotel de Russie is in an old traditional-looking Roman building that is close to the Fontana del Nettuno and has frescoes on the walls and marble on the floors.
It offers smaller rooms unless you get a suite. But if you go with one of their Signature Suites, you can get a ride to the airport in the hotel’s Mercedes Benz, as well as breakfast which you can enjoy while taking in a view of the city or the adjacent garden.
4. The Inn at the Spanish Steps
Located closer to the city center, The Inn at the Spanish Steps is in one of the most romantic locations in the city. The Spanish Steps climb between two iconic Roman places:
- The Piazza di Spagna on the lower end
- The Piazza Trinita dei Monti on the upper end
The hotel itself is in a historic building and specializes in personalized service, even having suites and apartments and any number of terraces on which to enjoy your breakfast or a drink in the evening.
5. Hassler Roma
While the Inn at the Spanish Steps is located at the bottom of the steps, the Hotel Hassler is located where they come out at the top. Being a little higher up the Hassler has some impressive views.
Some guests have remarked that they would prefer larger rooms, but the hotel is decorated well and classically and the sixth floor of the hotel offers panoramic views of the city. And when you stay here, you have easy access to Trevi Fountain.
6. The Fifteen Keys Hotel
Located on a picturesque Roman street, the Fifteen Keys Hotel is brightly decorated and has a more modern feel than the classical look of some other hotels. The rooms are decorated like midcentury modern rooms.
The hotel has a splendid little bar and offers breakfast on various terraces. It is a newer hotel, but the location is superb. It is almost next door to the Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore.
7. J.K. Place Roma
If you are willing to spend a pretty hefty amount on your room, then you should definitely consider the J.K. Place Roma. While other hotels strive for the best location in relation to the city center (as well they should) J.K. Place Roma sits close to the Tiber and right next to the Ponte Cavour bridge that leads you straight up to the Vatican.
It also keeps you at a little less than a 30-minute walk to the Colosseum, not bad considering all the sites you pass on your way. The hotel itself is an exemplar of elegance and service.
In addition to the marbled bathrooms, there are:
- Rosewood canopied beds
- Hardwood floors
- A great restaurant with fantastic cuisine
And many previous guests have remarked that the impeccable service of the friendly staff is unmatched.
8. Hotel Eden
Also on the very expensive side is the Hotel Eden which has been in operation since 1889. With a gorgeously painted late 19th century exterior and an elegantly furnished lobby, guests enjoy up-to-date modern conveniences such as:
- A coffee maker
- WiFi
- Flat-screen TVs.
The amenities in the rooms are as elegant as the lobby and guests can even request butler service if they need it. And if guests do not feel like going out on the town, they have the highly-rated La Terrazza restaurant or the rooftop Il Giardino Ristorante and Bar.
As far as location goes, the Hotel Eden sits just on the northern edge of the city center, not as far north as the Roma Arte or the Russie mentioned earlier but not as steeped in the action as the Hotel Colosseum. But for those who want a great view and amazing amenities, the Hotel Eden is the place for you.
9. Aleph Rome Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton
The Aleph Rome Hotel sits just a few blocks away from the Hotel Eden but commands a closer location with fantastic amenities at a fraction of the cost. You can walk to everything that you would want to see (unless you want to see the Vatican) with the Colosseum being the farthest away at a 28-minute walk.
The thing about walking around to these great sites is that:
- You can see other great sites along the way
- You can stop to eat or drink just about anywhere
This makes the longer walks that much more enjoyable. Walk at Roman speed. Stroll, take your time, visit along the way. And know that when you get back to the Aleph Rome Hotel, you have a pool and bar on the roof, and cognac lounge where you can smoke cigars, and a great restaurant.
10. St. Regis Rome
Closer still but once again more expensive is St. Regis Rome, still at somewhat of a distance from the Colosseum (though closer to the other sites that are on the northern edge of the city center) but only by about 25 minutes. Again, the hotel itself is a hallmark of luxury.
Dating back to 1894, the hotel is home to the Ritz Ballroom, famous for its frescos, candelabras, and gilded mirrors, as well as over 500 labels of wine stored in a private cellar. St. Regis Rome is a great place to stay, offering a classy restaurant and a bar, and professional butler service.
Along with the above you may also wanna experience luxurious accommodations at the Hilton Molino Stucky Venice, an exquisite destination that promises unparalleled comfort and elegance, nestled amidst the enchanting ambiance of Rome, Italy.
What’s the Best Hotel in Rome City Center?
Take a moment to appreciate that this is not an easy question to answer. Hotels are not merely abundant in Rome’s city center—they are practically overflowing. That said, there are some that rise above the others.
Hotel Artemide is just such a place. It is between ten and twenty minutes by foot from all the major sites, so it is very centrally located within the city center. The hotel itself has the following features:
- Amenity stocked rooms
- Fitness room including a Finnish sauna and Turkish bath
- Breakfast buffet
- Artemis Spa
- Beautiful terrace
With a central location, friendly service, and affordable prices, Hotel Artemide is ideal for first-timers and even return visitors to stay.
If these hotels don’t seem like they are what you want, you should try one of the 10 best Airbnbs in Rome.
Conclusion
There are many great sites to see and a lot of great places to stay in Rome. If this is your first trip to Rome, you want to be in the city center where you can easily access the famous sites, the important archeological areas of the Imperial Forum, the trendy neighborhood Monti, and the numerous small, hidden areas waiting to be discovered. Make sure the place you choose to stay helps you make the most of your trip. Whether you are there for more than a week or you are just trying to do Rome in three days, your hotel should work to make the most of you time in this lovely city!
This list of great hotels will get you where you need to be and the service that you deserve for your own Roman holiday.