A pulsating city full of vibrant characters, with history behind every statue and facade, Rome is also home to the best coffee in the world. This city wasn’t built in a day, so you shouldn’t have to see it in one. Finding an authentic and budget-friendly place to rest your head in the Eternal City is no easy feat, but to help you plan, here are the most unique places to stay in Europe’s city that never sleeps.
The Secret Garden: Hotel Ponte Sisto
An interior garden allows plenty of natural light into the rooms of this Rome hotel, while the rooftop terrace offers views of the entire city. A quiet place to escape the chaos of Rome’s piazzas, this hotel is still centrally located and just a short walk from the 13th-century bridge Ponte Sisto.
Sleep with the Stars: Il Boom Bed-and-Breakfast
Tiny in size but jam-packed with character, this B & B does not skimp on details. Its three retro rooms are named after famous Italian actresses: Magnani, Loren, and Vitti. Andres, the owner, his son, and their three cats welcome you in the checker-floored reception area, while a vintage juke box plays in the corner and actresses’ faces look down from their frames. Enjoy a complimentary breakfast on the garden terrace that sits on Janiculum Hill, overlooking Rome’s skyline.
Your Home in Rome: Il Sogno Di Amelie
Modeled after the French film, this Airbnb apartment is “the dream of Amelie” come to life. Bright and colorful rooms, the mix of modern and baroque furnishings, and film posters on the walls give the three-room B & B its personality. Located conveniently across the street from Vatican City, this accommodation gives you a better chance of getting to the front of those early morning queues.
Bohemian Vibes: BDB Luxury Rooms Trastevere
Don’t be fooled by the name: this gem is one of the cheap hotels in Rome. Hidden in the city’s medieval working-class-turned-bohemian neighborhood Trastevere, this B & B is as authentic as it is quaint. Dark mahogany furnishings, stone fireplaces, and a tiny rooftop garden with views over Trastevere’s tiled roofs all make this guesthouse a unique place for a Roman holiday.
Cheap and Cheerful: The Beehive Hostel
Close to Rome’s main railway station Termini, the Beehive defies the cramped and party-hard norm of many hostels. Its rooms are bright and spacious, and there are private guest rooms if bunking isn’t your thing. Its lounge and outdoor terrace, with painted mural and colorful beanbag chairs, offer a cool place to put your feet up at the end of the day.
Artsy Boutique: Starhotels Michelangelo
One of the more luxurious and slightly pricier hotels in Rome on the list, Starhotels Michelangelo offers an enviable setting in the heart of the Baroque District, just minutes away from St. Peter’s Square. The neighborhood is known for its art galleries and antique shops, which mirror the hotel’s penchant for unique art in every room. Many of the suites also have balconies with views of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, which also lent its name to the hotel’s Dome Restaurant.
For ideas of what to do and discover in this historic city, check out some of the one-of-a-kind tours that Rome’s best tour guides offer.
[Photo credit: Trover | Ponte Sisto | Il Boom | Air BnB | BDB Trastevere | The Beehive | Starhotels]
*This post is a part of the #HipmunkCityLove Project, in which I am a participating author. For suggestions of more hotels in Rome, check out one of my articles over at Hipmunk.