Recommended Family-Friendly Hotels in Rome
· Updated · BootsnAll
My friend Amie O’Shaughnessy is back with another article to help those of you traveling to Italy with kids find the best options as far as accommodation goes - and this time she’s here to help with Rome. It’s a big city, and it can be exhausting, so finding a place to stay that’s not only in a good location but that can serve as a place of refuge when you need a break is important - whether you’re traveling with kids or not! Here are Amie’s recommendations for where to stay in Rome from her Ciao Bambino website (each property listed has a link where you’ll find more details about it).
Location is everything in Rome. The city is massive and where you stay in critical for ease-of-use with kids. Although public transportation is abundant, walking and exploring the neighborhoods is a big part of the tourist experience.
Once you figure out where you want to stay, the next challenge is finding accommodations that can accommodate 3 or more people. Like many cities in Europe, hotel rooms in the historic center are small and they do not have the American “standard” set-up of a room with two double beds. This means that families must find properties with connecting rooms or suites, and these larger configurations are expensive.
Hotels in Rome are notoriously pricey (like New York and London), and in the peak travel months even a moderate property charges a lot for a room configuration that sleeps a family. Apartments are available, but I’ve found that options of decent quality in appealing locations are rare (or at least I have yet to find many of them).
Outside of Tuscany, Rome is Ciao Bambino’s most popular destination and we have significant experience booking families at the properties in our portfolio. Here’s our list of tried and tested accommodation options.
Recommended Family-Friendly Hotels in Rome
Hotel Ponte Sisto
The Hotel Ponte Sisto is a typical Italian 4-star hotel situated between Piazza Navona and the Trastevere neighborhood. It’s clean and comfortable and has the amenities you want, but don’t expect anything too stylish here. Hotel staff are helpful and friendly, and the overall atmosphere is warm. The hotel’s Family Suites work well for groups of 4 and 5 people. A few rooms have a private terrace - it’s worth asking if one is available. Also note that some of the units face a busy road, so if someone in your group is sensitive to noise be sure to request a quiet room.
>> Ciao Bambino Age Rating: baby ready, toddler fun, school age action, cool for teens
Albergo Santa Chiara
The recommendation for Albergo Santa Chiara came from one of our community members as an excellent choice for families. The hotel enjoys a fantastic location behind the Pantheon in the center of historic Rome, and the surrounding area is ideal for exploring on foot. Rooms in the hotel are clean and comfortable (although for famlies who need lots of space the number of large rooms is limited), and there’s a buffet breakfast included. If you need a crib, remember to request it when you book your room.
>> Ciao Bambino Age Rating: baby ready, toddler fun, school age action, cool for teens
Raphael Hotel
One of my favorite places to hang out with kids in Rome is Piazza Navona, where there is an enormous car-free space for kids to run around - so I love that the Raphael Hotel (now called Bio Hotel Raphaël) is on a quiet street adjacent to the piazza. As is the case with the Albergo Santa Chiara, this hotel is in a perfect neighborhood for walking and exploring. The hotel is covered in ivy and boasts a rooftop terrace from which you can see many of Rome’s landmark sights. The bad news is that only a handful of the hotel’s suites are big enough to accommodate families, and those rooms do not come cheap. If you have room in your budget for it, this is a Ciao Bambino favorite!
>> Ciao Bambino Age Rating: baby ready, toddler fun, school age action, cool for teens
Hotels with Swimming Pools
Visiting Rome during the hot summer months can be brutal, so it’s not surprising that many families want to stay in a hotel with a swimming pool to help the kids (and the parents!) cool off. Only a handful of Rome hotels have one, and most of them sit in residential areas or up on the hills outside the historic center, so you trade easy sightseeing for the pool. If a pool is a must, filter for it when you search and then check how long the ride into the center will take.
A guest room near the Spanish Steps (photo courtesy of Ciao Bambino, 2009)
A modern, minimalist apartment living room in Rome (photo courtesy of Ciao Bambino, 2009)
See the Ciao Bambino Blog for my recent post on creating the best family-friendly itinerary in Italy.
Amie O’Shaughnessy founded Ciao Bambino, which began as a family travel blog and guide to family-friendly accommodations and is now a family travel agency.
photo at top by Nancy Solomon and may not be used without permission, jumping into pool picture by Andy Hay, the rest were provided by Amie of Ciao Bambino and may not be used without permission