The Best Hotel In Rome For Direct Access To Iconic Ancient Ruins, Per Rick Steves

Rome is one of the great European destinations and has been for over 2,000 years — they don't call the Italian capital the Eternal City for nothing. Outside of Italy, perhaps only London, Paris, and Prague can rival it for the sheer amount of historic sights, cultural attractions, and top-notch cuisine. Rome's charms aren't exactly a well-kept secret with over 30 million people visiting each year, making it one of the Continent's most heavily-touristed cities. With so many visitors, finding a good hotel within easy reach of the top sights can be a challenge in the high season. Luckily, Rick Steves has a top tip for us: Hotel Colosseum.

Steves describes Rome as "the capital of our western civilization," and there is plenty of evidence to support that claim. Within a few square miles in the city center you can explore ancient ruins dating back to the glory days of the Roman Empire, including the Colosseum, one of Rome's most popular tourist destinations; St. Peter's Basilica and the seat of the Catholic Church in the Vatican; grand Renaissance Architecture and baroque wonders like the iconic Trevi Fountain; and masterpieces by the likes of Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Raphael. It's a lot to fit in, so if your budget can stretch to it, finding a centrally-located hotel is a great way to maximize your time in the city. But there are so many to choose from, so why does Hotel Colosseum stand out for our illustrious travel guide?

There is a multitude of places to stay in central Rome, but Hotel Colosseum is pretty hard to beat for its combination of location, amenities, and spectacular views. Tucked away on Via Sforza, a quiet side street only a 15-minute stroll from the actual Colosseum, the hotel is a smart and welcoming three-star option with all the usual comforts you'd expect in the middle of a major tourist destination. Established in 1972, the hotel is on the edge of the Esquillino neighborhood, a lively district full of cafes, bars, restaurants, and shops. The hotel's 50 rooms aren't huge, but they are tastefully decked out with windows on the upper floors offering splendid views across the city skyline. Best of all is the rooftop terrace with a bar where you can relax and take in the wonderful panorama.

The Hotel Colosseum is Rick Steves' pick if you want to stay somewhere close to Rome's ancient ruins and other historic sights. It is within comfortable walking distance from the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Trevi Fountain, and the National Roman Museum. Furthermore, the Cavour metro station is just around the corner for easy access to the rest of the city. It isn't just Steves who thinks the hotel is a great choice — TripAdvisor users also give it a 4.5-star rating with a maximum score for walkability. However, it is not exactly a budget option, and it is rated only reasonable in terms of value.

Rick Steves has been traveling Europe for around 50 years, and throughout the decades, he has visited Rome dozens of times. As a pretty regular visitor, he has a few other picks that he likes to recommend. Out of all the choices available, he revealed in a 2023 interview with Johnny Jet that his absolute favorite hotel he's stayed at in Rome is Albergo Santa Chiara. Dating back to 1839, it is located very close to the Pantheon in central Rome. Steves loves it because it is "kind of convivial, family run, and beautifully located."

Elsewhere in the heart of the city, Steves also highlights Hotel Campo de' Fiori and Hotel Navona. The former is an elegant boutique hotel with another rooftop terrace that the veteran traveler likes for its proximity to the market stalls and leisurely cafes on Campo de' Fiori square, while Hotel Navona is a plush property just a stone's throw from the gorgeous Piazza Navona and Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers. For visitors who would prefer a haven away from the more touristy elements of Rome, Steves singles out Hotel Trastevere. Located across the River Tiber a little further away from the major sights, it is situated in a hip neighborhood that is reputed as one of the city's best districts to eat like an Italian local. Naturally, we recommend that you check out your options before booking, but these hotels are a great starting point for planning a trip to Rome.