Cheap hotels in Rome, Italy :
|
 |
| Just down the road from the Hotel Gea di Vulcano - the beautiful Piazza della Repubblica at night. |
Background and location.
"I would absolutely recommend this hotel to any traveller who is looking for a 3 star hotel at a reasonable price close to the sights and transportation options"
(Traveller review).
(Traveller review).
One of the most exceptional cheap hotels in Rome, Italy, the Hotel Gea is to be found on the Via Nazionale, Rome's oldest and most imposing boulevard, less than five minutes' walk from the beautiful Piazza della Repubblica. In ancient Rome the Nazionale linked the Forum with the Diocletian baths.
It now stretches for about one and a half kilometres from the Piazza Venezia to the Piazza della Repubblica, and on both sides houses shops and boutiques - a great place to go shopping in Rome for clothes and leather goods at very reasonable prices.
 |
| The Hotel Gea di Vulcano's impressive entrance. |
Its location in central Rome makes it ideal for visiting all the well known sights of the city. The main railway station, Termini, is a ten minute walk; the Trevi fountain and Spanish Steps fifteen minutes; the Colosseum in Rome twenty and St Peter's Basilica about thirty.
Or, if you don't feel like walking that far, the Rome 'hop on, hop off' bus stops at the Piazza della Repubblica just a couple of minutes away, and the same square has a Metro station if you want to go further afield.
Staff.
"Service was fantastic! Every staff person was helpful and delightful and kind".
(Traveller review).
(Traveller review).
The staff in the Gea turn one of the cheap hotels of Rome, Italy into a truly special place. It's managed by a family team who really do make an effort to help all their guests feel at home.
The receptionists (look out for Massimo!) are multi-lingual and although there is no formal 'concierge' service you'll get in a larger 5 star Rome hotel like the Hotel de Russie or the Hotel Hassler the receptionists at the Gea will happily recommend places to eat, things to do in Rome, local events happening while you're there, and will arrange a taxi to the airport should you require one.
The managers are a Roman family who want nothing more than for you to enjoy Rome. Thanks to them, while you're staying here you won't feel like you're staying in one of the cheap hotels in Rome, Italy but that you're a special guest and truly part of real Italian culture.
Rooms.
"The furnishings were not elaborate but simple and clean,
wood furniture and stained glass windows"
(Rome hotel reviews).
wood furniture and stained glass windows"
(Rome hotel reviews).
 |
| Simple but adequate - a double bedroom. |
However, what you will find is a clean, comfortable, simple but adequately furnished room with an en-suite shower room.
Because many of the rooms are at the back of the hotel and all are well soundproofed, the hotel is also surprisingly quiet, particularly considering how busy the Via Nazionale can be.
Importantly, and again unlike many cheap hotels in Rome, Italy, the Hotel Gea has an excellent air conditioning system which in the heat of Rome's summer climate is a necessity. In the chillier months of autumn and winter it has a central heating system to keep you warm.
Although the public rooms are limited to the reception area and a small bar, the Hotel Gea is one of the few cheap hotels of Rome, Italy which has tea and coffee making facilities in your room.
This hotel also has some other features which you wouldn't expect to find in cheap hotels in Rome, Italy - or in the budget hotels of Europe generally, for that matter.
There's free wireless internet access in the bedrooms, and if you don't want to take your own computer with you, in the reception area you'll find a laptop for guests' use. The bathrooms have shower gel and shampoo, and your sheets and towels will be changed very regularly.
Eating.
Like many cheap hotels in Rome, Italy the Gea doesn't have a restaurant : breakfast is served in a small breakfast room. Unusually, they will arrange a self-service early breakfast buffet if you need to depart before normal service hours.
However, the Via Nazionale is full of cafés and restaurants and there's a supermarket a few doors down from the Gea where you can stock up with drinks and lunches very cheaply.
For a good basic meal try the Bar Ristorante Barocco by the rear entrance of the hotel in the Via Napoli - it's a basic but good restaurant and in the warmer months you can even sit outside to eat.
 |
| Don't be put off by the entrance to the Antica Bohème. |
 |
| Inside the Antica Bohème. |
The food is wonderful and very reasonably priced. The house white wine, which is very good, is about €8 a litre.
It's one of our favourite places to eat in Rome and we've never met anyone who's been there and left disappointed. Be aware, though, that because it's also a favourite place with local people, it will fill up later in the evening. If you want to eat after about 8 p.m. you'd be well advised to book.
Are there facilities at the Hotel Gea for visitors who are disabled?
Yes. Although the hotel is on the first floor there is a small lift (elevator) so access is available. The staff are ultra-helpful for anyone with special needs.
If you need to use the elevator when you first arrive, you will need to call the receptionist on the intercom outside the front door who will operate it for you.
Is this one of Rome's best hotels for kids?
"Perfect location, excellent service, clean, spacious, comfy, charming and quiet room at a reasonable price makes this stay simply excellent - especially for a family of three with one small child no less!"
(Traveller review).
(Traveller review).
Children are an important part of Italian culture and because the Gea is family run, children are regarded as important guests here. That makes it one of the best cheap hotels in Rome for kids.
The rooms are quiet, the staff are excellent with children, it's just a couple of minutes' walk from the 'hop on, hop off' bus if small legs are too tired to walk, there's a Pizzeria just round the corner - and if they're really desperate for some 'home cooking', there's even a McDonald's a few yards from the hotel, on the corner of the Via Firenze.
Perfect.
How to find it.
 |
| The distinctive church of St Paul's opposite the hotel. |
If the large wooden doors are closed (which they are on Sundays) use the intercom on the right hand side. At night you will need to enter from the side door at number 51 Via Napoli. Look for large green doors with an intercom.
Incidentally - this very distinctive church of St Paul's Within the Walls is an active American / Anglican Church which celebrates Eucharist every Sunday and has full programmes (in English) at Easter, Christmas and Thanksgiving.
It also often hosts opera and classical music performances which are excellent and very reasonably priced - and you don't have far to go back to your hotel!
Do stay here if ...
- You're searching for exceptional but cheap hotels in Rome, Italy on a budget.
- Finding budget hotels for kids is high on your list of priorities.
- You want an hotel right in the middle of a lively shopping area.
Don't stay here if ...
- You're looking for a Rome 5 star hotel. If you're a couple wanting a quiet hotel with traditional service, the
Hotel Hassler
would be ideal and if you're a family wanting luxury accommodation, the
Hotel Russie
is in our view the best hotel in Rome.How to book :
Enter your preferred dates and room requirements in this box and click on 'go'.
You will be taken to a separate page provided by our partner hotel booking service, 'Hotels Combined'.
Click on the Gea's name and a comparison of prices from different companies will be made available for you to choose from, together with additional reviews.
We hope you find this a useful service.
Top Tip :
If you love shoes, you absolutely must visit Geppy - a shoe shop just across road from the hotel which sells wonderful, high quality leather Italian shoes and handbags much more cheaply than the more 'upmarket' shops in central Rome.
You'll also find street vendors on the Via Nazionale selling counterfeit handbags and sunglasses. As long as you don't think you're buying the original thing, they're generally good value.
Top Tip for kids :
The Piazza della Repubblica is particularly pretty when the arcades surrounding the square are decorated for Christmas in Rome.
If you're visiting the city at that time of year make sure the kids see the Piazza at night when it's all lit up. It's magical.Rome hotel reviews :
facilities at the Hotel Gea di Vulcano -
one of the best cheap hotels in Rome, Italy.
Facilities
Hotel Gea di Vulcano
Stars
✩✩✩
Bedrooms
16 : single, double triple
and quadruple available.
Air conditioning
✔ Free wireless internet access
✔ Flat screen / plasma TV
✘ Satellite TV
✔ Babysitter available
✘
Public areas
Air conditioned
✔ Free wireless internet access✔ Concierge services
✘
Eating and drinking
Restaurants on site
✘
(breakfast room only)
Bars on site
✔ Special featuresSituated close to well priced
restaurants in area.
Facilities
Disabled access?
✔ Swimming pool
✘ Fitness area
✘ Spa
✘ Hair salon
✘ Beauty salon
✘ Wedding / conference facilities
✘ Children's activity programme
✘ Car parking✘
(but private garage close by -
extra charge)
Pets allowed?
✔
Special features
Minibar, tea and coffee making
facilities in room.
Hairdryer in room.
Supermarket close by.
Ten minutes' walk from
Termini station.
Airport transfers can be arranged.
Cost (per room per night)
Double rooms from €80
(including breakfast)
Most expensive room (per night)
Quadruple rooms
from €160
(including breakfast)
More accommodation in Rome, Italy.
Things to do in Rome.
Cheap hotels in Rome, Italy to our home page about Italian culture.
Talk to us! Comments
Have your say about what you just read - leave a comment, question or story in the box below.
