Staying at a Bed and Breakfast Rome Italy
Get the real low-down on what to expect

We opened a 3-room Bed and Breakfast Rome Italy in 2002, and ran it for 18 years.

So please trust me when I say I can tell you everything you need to know about staying at a B&B in Rome.

When you stay in a B&B in Rome, you will find every level of style and comfort. This photo is of a simple double room at The Beehive, which is part B&B, part hostel.

How to select a bed and breakfast Rome Italy - 
Take it from someone who's been there!

Rome is a destination that often fulfils the dream journey of a lifetime.

Visitors flock here year-round, with good reason. Monuments, piazzas, fountains, cuisine, Michelangelo. What more could you want?

Over the years I had the privilege to hug my customers at the end of their stay before saying "arrivederci”. 

When I asked how they felt about their visit, the most common answer was "restored."

Thanks to a sometimes extensive interaction between the city’s unique historical-cultural heritage and a generous sense of hospitality, a stay in Rome often becomes a memory to write on one's "life's diary."

Bed and Breakfast Rome Italy - everything you need to know

With more than 10,000 B&Bs citywide, Rome offers a competitive and varied choice in this category of accommodation.

On this page, we want to help you understand the differences you'll find among B&Bs in Rome.

Once you know the variations you can expect, it will be easier to choose one according to your needs.

• What you can expect when you book a Bed and Breakfast Rome Italy
  
• What you should NOT expect when you book a Bed and Breakfast in Rome
• The best way to book a Bed and Breakfast in Rome
• My recommendations for Bed and Breakfasts in Rome Italy

Bed and Breakfast Rome Italy - what to expect

Rooms

The size of a B&B affects the number of rooms. Some B&Bs have 3 rooms, and some have more.

This depends in part on the size of the apartment(s) where the B&B is but also in how the owner/manager decides to divvy up the space at hand.

So room size can vary widely across B&Bs.

B&B owners who prefer to offer quality want to make sure they offer rooms with enough space and amenities that they exceed customer expectations.

If you want a spacious room, and/or high quality service, you will want to look for these features when choosing your Bed and Breakfast in Rome.

Lately, B&Bs have more rooms than they used to, and the room sizes have increased, as B&B owners compete to offer you a better experience.

B&B properties are generally converted apartments. The rooms may or may not feature:

• Brightness - This depends on what floor you are on.
• View - Most buildings in Rome are close together and apartments/B&Bs with decent or breathtaking views are fairly rare. It's most likely you will have a view of the building across from you, or of an inner condominium courtyard.
• Soundproofing - Since most Rome B&Bs are in apartments, if the owner did not soundproof the walls and doors, you may have to contend with noise from neighboring apartments.

Amenities

There are a not a lot of rules as to what minimum amenities a B&B has to provide. These are some of the basics you will find at just about any B&B:

• A bed of variable size depending on the room booked (twin, queen, or king).
• Closet, nightstand, and lights.

Here are some optional amenities to look for if they are important to you:

• Free Wi-Fi
• Cable TV (don't always expect to find a Cable-Satellite TV set.) Taxes and subscriptions for this service still represent a killer factor for small businesses)
• Refrigerator
• Comfortable chairs
• A desk

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Bathroom

First, let's clear up what the words "private bathroom" really mean when it comes to B&Bs in Rome.

A B&B can offer a "private bathroom", which means it's for your use only, but it may be in the hall.

Many B&B properties cannot adapt their space to have rooms with en-suite (internal) bathrooms.

It could be because of the shape of the apartment, whose security depends on the load-bearing walls and therefore do not allow any type of structural modification.

Or, it could be due to lack of funds (especially in the historic center of Rome, where renovations cost 5 times more than normal).

So make sure when decide where to stay that your room has a private ENSUITE bathroom if that is important to you.

Second, it's not very common to find B&Bs in Rome with bathtubs.

If this is important to you, you should check in advance if it's available.

Find out more about what to expect from bathrooms when you visit Rome!

Bed and Breakfast Rome Italy - what NOT to expect

Staying at a Bed and Breakfast in Rome can be a lovely experience. We should know. We had one and that is what we tried to offer!

At a minimum, you should have a comfortable place to sleep, something to eat and drink in the morning, and some level of customer service, at least during check in.

Here is what NOT to expect:

• 24-hour concierge, or even a concierge at all
• A big lobby or large gathering space
• A fresh breakfast (You need a license to serve fresh food, and it's not that easy for a B&B owner to get.)
• Good wi-fi (these days, just about everyone offers wi-fi, but it may not be that great.)
• Typical hotel amenities such as an elevator, terraces, restaurant, vending machines, ice machines, bar, cafeterias, pool, etc.
• Lots of special amenities - this will always be up to the whim of the proprietor, and you may find there is just the bare minimum.
• An easy-going cancellation policy. As most B&Bs are small, they cannot afford last-minute cancellations.

Some Bed and Breakfasts in Rome may indeed offer some or all of the above. Bottom line is, you usually get what you pay for.

The best way to book a B&B in Rome

If you choose to stay in a bed and breakfast in Rome, you will have a huge variety of options, mostly because there is a bare minimum of requirements to open one.

You will find listings for places using the words Inn, Townhouse, Relais, Boutique Inn, Guest House, and many other words/phrases that don't include the word "hotel."

These all indicate a property that is NOT a hotel.

So it's either a B&B or it's an "affittacamere" which is a lodging category slightly above a B&B, with just a few more requirements.

Many people run 1-3 room B&Bs out of their homes, and you may meet the owner of that home.

Many other “B&Bs” in Rome are larger than this, and may have many more amenities than what is required.

The owners may want to surpass your expectations so that you will have a great experience.

That is what we did, when we ran ours. 

Check the list above for what to expect/what not to expect when in a Bed and Breakfast Rome Italy.

Figure out what amenities are important to you, and gauge them along with location and price.

When looking to book a B and B in Rome, think about what you want out of your stay.

If price is an issue, you will do best when sticking to actual B&B’s run in someone’s home. If, however, you want more amenities, look for “B&B”s that are more of a mini-guest house, townhouse, inn etc (with the descriptions as described above).

B&B's in Rome we recommend

Termini /Esquilino

The Beehive

One of the best B&Bs in Rome is near Termini station, run by good friends Steve and Linda: The Beehive.

They have lots of different room types, including dorm-type hostel rooms, and more upscale rooms with en-suite bathroom.

The rates are excellent, and their level of customer care is tops.

Spanish Steps/Trevi Fountain

Here are some of our top suggestions for staying near the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps:

Piazza di Spagna 9

If you're looking for style, elegance, sleek decor, an amazing location, and a more luxurious stay, this B&B fits the bill.

Inside a 16th century building right near the Spanish Steps, you will really be right in the middle of Rome's shopping zone. Guests rave about the super-helpful hosts.

A huge plus is their private lounge that overlooks the Spanish Steps.

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Residenza Sciarra B&B

The location of this cozy B&B cannot be beat.

Right on via del Corso, you'll find yourself perfectly based for exploring all the must-see sites of Rome's historic center, like the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona.

Some rooms are on the small side and while there is not common breakfast room, each room comes with a kettle and breakfast kit, allowing you to enjoy breakfast when you want in the comfort of your room.

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Margutta's Garden

The name of this sweet B&B really says it all. You'll stay in a charming apartment inside a private courtyard, surrounded by lush greenery.

Guests love the attentiveness of the hosts, and the location is absolutely fantastic - on the quiet upscale via Margutta just steps from Rome's shopping zone near the Spanish Steps.

Be aware this is one host that adhere's to the rules about not serving fresh breakfast items as they don't have a license to do so.

You will find a mini-fridge along with a coffee-maker and kettle in your room.

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Pantheon/Piazza Navona

Le Suite del Barone

Chic, elegant, stylish decor, an amazing location right behind one of Rome's most stunning piazzas, and superb personalized service from the hosts make this one of the best B&B choices in Rome's historic center.

This bed and breakfast is perfectly located next to Piazza Navona, making it easy to walk to the Pantheon, Jewish Ghetto, Campo dei Fiori and even the Vatican.

The rooms have all be thoughtfully fitted out with sleek touches that give guests a sense of being at home.

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B&B Insula Urbis

This B&B has it all - a quiet location inside a sweet courtyard; smart, modern, comfortable, fairly spacious room; thoughtful in-room amenities like a kettle, free toiletries, and satellite TV; and a generous breakfast featuring sweet and savory items.

The location is ideal as it's within stone's throw of excellent dining and shopping while still being quiet, and only 5-10 minutes' walk to the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Mausoleum of Augustus, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona.

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Bye Bye Roma Pantheon Suite

This lovely B&B is perfectly located on a quiet side street just minutes' from the Pantheon.

Bright cheerful rooms, comfortable beds, and a welcoming, helpful host make this a favorite with guests who all say they'll return to stay here again.

Trastevere

Il Boom B&B

Il Boom B&B is the perfect place to stay if you're looking for a bit quieter location, a bit more room, and B&B that truly feels like home.

This charming Bed and Breakfast is in the quiet, hilly section of Trastevere while still being just minutes on foot from the thick of the action.

Guests love the homey feel, the extremely hospitable hosts, and most of all, the fabulous rooftop terrace just for guests.

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Vatican/Prati

ERREGGI LUXURY ROOMS

This sweet B&B offers warmly-decorated rooms, good wi-fi, and a generous breakfast. Guests love the kettle and coffee machine, as well as the friendly, helpful staff.

Well-located on via Germanico, you will be minutes from both Saint Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums, and right in the thick of shopping and restaurants.

Colosseum/Monti

Suites Romae Rex

Warmly decorated, simply chic rooms and a great location right near Monti and the Quirinal Palace all add up for a highly-rated B&B.

While the host is not always on site, he is available online. Breakfast is at a nearby café.

All rooms have a private bathroom with bidet, flat-screen tv, and fridge.

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Rome downtown suites B&B and apartments

noisy...

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