The best cheap hotels in Rome

The usual Rome conundrum? Stay near Termini for the price, sacrifice the vibe. But UNA Hotels Decò Roma flips that on its head. Seconds from the station – you can be off the platform and at check-in in under a minute – this 196-room art deco beauty is one of the loveliest four-star stays in the city – and refreshingly affordable. Think inlaid wood, leather handles, faux snakeskin headboards and a sultry sandalwood scent drifting through beautifully kept rooms. Sure, Termini isn’t Rome at its most romantic – but for transport links, value and genuinely stylish comfort, this place is an absolute gem.

Time Out tip: Book a ‘Superior Terrace’ room on the sixth floor – the private terraces come with sunloungers and knockout views of Santa Maria Maggiore, and for a small extra fee they’ll bring a spritz and snacks straight to you. 

Address: Via Giovanni Amendola, 57, 00185 Roma RM, Italy

Price per night: Starting from €159 per night

Closest transport: Termini train station is one minute’s walk away – from here you can get trains all over Italy (and to the airport), or buses, trams or the metro into the centre.

Address: 251 Via Principe Amedeo, Rome 00185

Price per night: One bed in a shared dorm is from €29 and private rooms start from €79

Closest transport: Termi is a five-minute walk

Set in a refurbished early 20th-century building, Condominio Monti has cosy single rooms at wallet-friendly prices for solo travellers, while families can spread out in spacious quadruple rooms with cleverly separated sleeping areas divided by a wardrobe. Aesthetically, it’s pure Instagram bait, with handcrafted wallpaper, colourful furnishings and retro-chic appliances. Food options are good, and Spritzeria Monti specialises in Aperol Spritz variations best enjoyed at golden hour.

Time Out tip: Don’t skip a visit to the nearby gelateria Fatamorgana. Flavours include black rice and rosemary.

Address: Via dei Serpenti, 109

Price: Starting at around €140 a night for a double room

Closest transport: Termi station is a one-minute walk away 

Housed inside a former church convent that dates back to 1122, Relais Le Clarisse is a homely hotel in the heart of Trastevere. Given the historic nature of the building, each of the 18 rooms comes with a slightly different layout, but all have classic terracotta floors, wrought iron beds, AC, minifridges and eco-friendly olive oil toiletries in the modest marble bathrooms. The basic double rooms run a little small, but there is a charming inner courtyard filled with olive trees and grapevines where guests can stretch out.

Time Out tip: One room on the second floor has a massive private terrace that is unadvertised on the website. Contact the hotel directly to see if you can snag it for your stay.

Address: Via Cardinale Merry del Val

Price: From €150 per night

Closest transport: Tram 8 is a three-minute walk

Address: Piazza del Gesù, 47

Price: Around £100 a night.

Closest transport: Metro: Barberini is the closest station, about a 15-minute walk

Set on a pedestrianised street a few minutes from St Peter’s Square, Hotel Della Conciliazione is a contemporary hotel in one of Rome’s oldest neighbourhoods. With lots of natural light and bright ikat print touches, the décor stands out as decidedly modern among the other relatively old-fashioned interior decoration trends in most other Roman hotels. There are few added extras (no gym or full restaurant on site), but the hotel makes up for it with a generous policy of room upgrades and/or late check-outs for a small surcharge.

Time Out tip: There’s no rooftop terrace, but you can request room 501 (a suite) to secure a direct view of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Address: Via Borgo Pio, 163/166

Closest transport: 10-minute walk from Ottaviano Metro Station

Set in the secretly trendy San Saba neighbourhood, The Corner Hotel has converted an Art Nouveau villa into 11 stylish rooms. Pops of colour and bold patterns dominate the décor, which also includes details unique to each room, like sleek black claw foot tubs or marble fireplaces. The penthouse suite is particularly impressive, but be prepared to huff up every flight because there is no elevator at this boutique hotel. Many of the rooms have balconies, but there is also a chic rooftop lounge that serves excellent cocktails.

Time Out tip: Don’t pass up the chance to relax with a drink next to the Superman statue on the rooftop bar.

Address: Via Borgo Pio, 163/166

Price: From €166 for two adults

Closest transport: Musei Vaticani Metro Station

Given its location – by which we mean, extremely close to the Trevi Fountain – you’d expect to pay significantly more to stay at this hotel. As it is, you get comfortable and stylish rooms, many of which have atmospheric wooden beamed ceilings, plus the feeling of being right in the heart of Rome without having to break the bank. The food here is to die for, with not one but two restaurants specialising in regional cuisine.

Address: Via del Lavatore, 83, 00187

Closest transport: Barberini Metro Station is a six-minute walk

Time Out tip: Coming from the airport? Let the Monti know and they’ll arrange a shuttle service.

Address: Via dei Ciancaleoni

Closest transport: Cavour metro station is a three-minute walk

Price: Starting from around €180 per night if you get a good deal

Closest transport: The closest metro stations (Barberini or Spagna) are both roughly a 15-minute walk away