The Best Cheap Hotels to Book in Rome

The Cirulli family is originally from Molise, a region south of Rome, but came to the Eternal City some 20 years ago to open this snug boutique hotel. Their southern passion for hospitality shines through in every detail, the carefully styled decor with paintings from local artists, the cheerful staff and the hearty breakfast, served in the café (and included in the price). Don’t miss the freshly baked cakes brought in each morning from a bakery outside of the city.

This high-end hostel offers hotel-worthy suites that can be divvied up to sleep three, four or more. Exposed timber beams nod to the building’s 17th-century history as a convent and the serene atmosphere remains today, especially in the private courtyard. It’s only steps away from Termini station, allowing you to dodge expensive taxis in favour of the quick (and cheap) metro. Make use of the customised city map with tips on how to save money while splurging out on pizza, pasta and gelato.

This elegant ’70s-style hotel is strategically pitched next to Marconi station, a 10-minute metro ride away from the Colosseum. The nearby, tourist-free Ostiense neighbourhood is a must-visit for street-food lovers, especially at the cheap, restaurant-brimming Eataly market. Free hotel perks include an American-style breakfast buffet and a fitness centre with an open-air hot tub overlooking the city. The high design doesn’t befit the low price tag.

If you prefer family-run guesthouses over impersonal hotel chains, you’ll feel at home with locals Elisa and Michaela Ferrini. These ladies can help you find the best restaurants within your budget, advise you on where to shop and book you discounted tickets to the Vatican Museums. Their five modern boutique rooms can sleep between two and six people, meaning groups can keep costs down. It’s position in the Trastevere neighbourhood means you saunter to most of Rome’s top sights.

You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how far your money goes in this four-star hotel with panoramic rooftop bar, tricked-out fitness centre and modern, parquet-floored rooms furnished in soft earthy tones. It even offers a pillow menu so you can rest easy after a day of sightseeing. The biggest suites can host up to four people, making them attractive for families seeking luxury for less.

These mid-century suites will please any design-lover on a budget. Bathrooms come with luxury Rituals toiletries and you also get a free mobile phone, loaded with a city guide and unlimited data usage, to take out and about during your stay. Do as the Romans do and go for a cheap aperitif at Piazza della Madonna dei Monti: get a glass of Prosecco at one of the bars surrounding the square and drink it on the stairs of the fountain.

Linda Martinez & Steve Brenner originally from Los Angeles, came to Italy in 1999 to open their eco-friendly hostel. Thanks to years of experience in the city, they can advise on what to do and see in Rome like no other. Solo budget travelers can stay in the dorms, while couples and groups can opt for the private rooms. Foodies, be sure to try the hotel’s famiglia-style dinner parties and pasta-making cooking courses, too.

If you like cinema, you’ll love this hotel; everything from the lobby, lounge, bar and rooms are filled with references to movies that were filmed in Rome, such as La Dolce Vita (1960), Roman Holiday (1953) and Eat Pray Love (2010), complete with director’s chairs and tables made out of road cases. Travellers on a budget will love the affordable packed-lunch service and communal kitchen where you can cook up your own meals.

This is probably one of the most stylish hostels you’ll ever stay in: even the cheapest dorms are on par with design-hotel suites. The lobby and café boast an eclectic modern-meets-vintage look, blending bentwood furniture, street-art murals, Chinese lanterns and an antique luggage scale, among other curiosities. Generator offers a cheap and extensive buffet breakfast, with coffee from Roman institution Sant’Eustachio, and also hosts regular parties and affordable drinks nights, too.