Rome Vatican City

When it comes to hotels, the area immediately around the Vatican is as overpriced as the pizza and souvenirs. However, the quieter streets nearer the river and Prati offer many affordable options, mostly small hotels within residential buildings. A nice area in which to stay due to its proximity to the sights and distance from the centro's chaos, it may only be lacking in nightlife, which is (expectedly) quiet.

Colors, V. Boezio 31 (☎06 68 74 030; www.colorshotel.com), The rooms smell fresh like wood and look bright, as colors should. The boldly pigmented adornments of their 23 rooms help keep guests' stays comfortable, while the free Wi-Fi is simply convenient (and rare for this neighborhood). If the rainbow inside has you wanting some straight-up green, head to the rooftop terrace. One dormitory with five beds gives this hotel a hostel spirit. The room has A/C though, putting it miles beyond most hostels. A: Ottaviano. Walk down V. Ottaviano; turn left onto V. Cola di Rienzo and right onto V. Terenzio; at the intersection with V. Boezio. Breakfast included at hotel; €7 in dorm. Common terrace, TV room, and mini-kitchen. Free Wi-Fi. Dorms €15-30; singles €30, with bath €50-80; doubles €70-100. Reception 24hr. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Has internet. Has air conditioning.
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Hotel Al San Pietro, V. Giovanni Bettolo 43 (☎06 37 00 132; www.sanpietrino.it), Small green frogs (don't worry, they're ceramic) and the smell of flowers greet guests at this small hotel, located only 5min. from the Vatican museums. Though the rooms aren't particularly large, free Wi-Fi and staff that matches the upbeat decor make it a better deal than hotels advertised nearby. No breakfast, but there's an organic grocery store down the street. A: Ottaviano. Exit onto V. Barletta and turn left onto V. Bettolo. Singles without bath. Free Wi-Fi. Singles €40-50; doubles €70-89; triples €115. Reception 24hr. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Has internet. Has air conditioning.
Hotel Giuggioli, V. Germanico 198, 2nd fl. (☎06 36 00 53 89; www.hotelgiuggioli.it), The silver accents and geometric furniture give this top-notch hotel a distinctly modern feel. Carpeted rooms are very clean and generously sized, though a bit dimly lit. If long lines at the Vatican aren't your thing, bike rental gives you another reason to travel elsewhere in the city. The lovely bar and kitchen area (open 1-9pm) feels more like an upscale restaurant then a hotel add-on. A: Lepanto. Walk down V. Ezio and turn right onto V. Germanico. Breakfast included. All rooms have bath and minibar ensuite. Wi-Fi €1 per hr. Singles €70-110; doubles €80-130. Bike rental €12 per hr. Reception 24hr. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Has internet. Has air conditioning.
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Hotel Lady, V. Germanico 198, 4th fl. (☎06 32 42 112; www.hotelladyroma.it), Aesthetics trump amenities here: the old-fashioned charm of this former monastery is unfortunately accompanied by a lack of A/C and Wi-Fi. Still, the original wood-beamed ceilings and amber stained-glass windows create a comforting feel that most modern hotels can't replicate. Fans and antique wooden furniture that looks like it's been here for a century add to Hotel Lady's appeal. Rooms without bathrooms may be less convenient but are significantly bigger. A: Lepanto. Walk down V. Ezio and turn right onto V. Germanico. Singles and triples with shared bath only. Internet room available. Singles €60; doubles €75, with bath €90; triples €120. Reception 24hr., but call about arrival time. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Has internet.
A Roma San Pietro B and B, V. Crescenzio 85 (☎06 68 78 205; www.ftraldi.it), Though it may not be quirkier than a hotel, this small bed and breakfast offers brightly colored (though somewhat blandly furnished) rooms with excellent perks: A/C, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary breakfast make it better than some hotels. Reserve in advance and schedule arrival time, as there are only five rooms and the owner might be out. Watch out for the dripping water in the courtyard. A: Ottaviano. Walk down V. Ottaviano and turn left onto V. Crescenzio. Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi. Singles €40-50; doubles €60-110; triples €70-140. Extra bed €10-25. Call to schedule arrival time. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Has internet. Has air conditioning.
Pensione Paradise, Vle. Giulio Cesare 47, 3rd fl. (☎06 36 00 43 31; www.pensioneparadise.com), The rooms at Pensione Paradise come at good prices but with less charm than older establishments and fewer amenities than newer ones. Narrow halls match small rooms, though both are welcoming with their warm lighting and old stone floors. Rooms without bathrooms have sinks. Free Wi-Fi in public areas wins it major brownie points, but you're on your own for breakfast. A: Lepanto. Walk down Vle. Giulio Cesare toward the river. Fans ensuite. Free Wi-Fi in public areas. Singles €55, with bath €65; doubles with bath €75. Reception 24hr. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Has internet.
Hotel Nautilus, V. Germanico 198, 3rd fl. (☎06 32 42 118; www.hotelnautilusroma.it), Except for old drawings of Rome, there's not much in the way of decoration or even amenities here. If the Vatican has inspired you, turn your stay here into a monastic experiment: no TV or internet access means it'll be easy to devote yourself to a life of reflection. Though lacking many modern amenities, rooms are especially big, and those without toilets still contain private showers. A comfortable place to stay if you don't need much and want some quiet. A: Lepanto. Walk down V. Ezio and turn right onto V. Germanico. Breakfast included. Singles €30-40, with bath €50; doubles €50-75/€60-90; quads €130. Reception 24hr., but call about arrival time. Does not take credit cards. No wheelchair access.
Hotel La Rovere, Vicolo San Onofrio 4/5 (☎06 68 80 67 39; www.hotellarovere.com), This large and elaborately styled establishment provides the typical hotel experience, which is why it comes at a slightly higher price. Superior rooms on the top floor have slanted, wood-beamed ceilings and big windows with great views of the city. Lower floors are less carefully accoutered, but a public lounge and bar make up for the blandness with their mix of Chinese urns and Roman sculptures. Termini. Take bus #40 or 64 to Saint Peter. From Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II, walk down Lungotevere in Sassia until it becomes Lungotevere Gianicolense. Turn right onto V. di S. Onofrio and right onto the vicolo. Breakfast included. All rooms have private bath and minibar ensuite. Free Wi-Fi. Singles €119-190; doubles €126-190; triples €146-210. Reception 24hr. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol. Has air conditioning.