Roman holiday

conformable_kate

So this one is stretching the definition of local information, but I have the impression that there are quite a few Italy experts around! Does anyone have any recommendations for hotels in Rome? Staying a few nights in mid-May, looking for mid-price, reasonably central, clean, friendly, all the usual ... Not for me, to my sorrow, but for a friend who has been asking for advice. Any ideas welcome. 

krappyrubsnif

Yes. Rome expert. Will DM you.

Mirandola

Not in slightest Rome expert, but have always liked the idea of staying in a convent: http://www.italiavai.com/italia/guide-turistiche/dormire-roma-dalle-suore.asp

TheMimsy

@ Mirandola<div><br><div>These are not convents in the strict sense of the word, more like "hostels" which in term-time accommodate students, run by nuns (sometimes monks) who also occupy a small part of the premises.</div><div>Bit like student halls run by members of religious orders that get rented out to tourists in the holidays, when the students are not there,  and offer b&b and sometimes full or half board.</div><div>They are extremely  popular with pilgrims and get totally booked up up in spring/summer when the Vatican holds canonisations.</div><div><br></div><div>I suppose the issue for some may be that they all have a curfew... </div></div>

miss annie

Not a Rome expert but stayed in St Bridget's convent on Campo di Fiori twice as a single lady and enjoyed it both times. I notice their reviews on trip advisor are mixed. I am not high maintenance so appreciated the lack of fuss. Location is excellent, rooms were lovely and there's a glorious roof terrace. No curfew, not run along the same lines as the above.

krappyrubsnif

Sounds very exciting. I can offer 3 conventional b&b / self-catering arrangements, 2 close to the centre and one further out near the prison. The prison one is quite characterful and the plus point is all the bad guys are supposedly inside.

conformable_kate

Thanks all, that's great! Not for a lady, unfortunately, so the convent idea probably won't work... But Krappy, if you could send me names of your suggestions, I'll pass them on and he can look them up. Many thanks.

Mirandola

There are monasteries that do the same, I think.

miss annie

The convent I stayed at had mixed sex guests, mostly seemingly well off Brits and other Europeans. I must stress it was not 'hostelly' at all definitely more like a hotel. The church and nuns cloisters were separated, and the nuns ran the hotel part of the convent as a proper business. It was very good.

conformable_kate

Hmm. The traveller in question is a militant atheist Iranian, so I think convents - even hotelly ones - would be a bit of a stretch! 

krappyrubsnif

Stand by<div><br></div>