Around the Hotel
This places you right on the strategic border between the busy Esquilino district and the trendy Monti district. The most immediate and impressive landmark is the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, which sits literally around the corner. Staying so close allows you to visit this incredible site early in the morning or late in the evening when tour buses have left, giving a chance to admire its golden mosaics and massive scale in relative peace. The square outside basilica happens to be a favorite hanging out spot for both locals and tourists alike; it also serves as an excellent point of orientation- no matter where one gets lost within city limits there’s always finding way back to “Santa Maria Maggiore” tower.
Rione Monti is just a ten-minute walk southwest from the guesthouse. Long considered by many as one of Rome’s most charming and coolest neighborhoods, in total antithesis to the gritty fast-paced commercial streets around Termini Station, Monti is a maze of cobblestone alleys draped in ivy lined with ochre buildings. This area provides the perfect escape from within proximity to the hotel for dinner or an evening drink. The area has several vintage clothing stores and artisan jewelry workshops. Locals frequent small wine bars sitting on steps at Piazza della Madonna dei Monti.
Just behind Termini, a fact still curiously unknown to most tourists despite its sheer size, is the real treasure for food lovers: Mercato Centrale. Located in the side wing of the station (look for “Cappa Mazzoniana,” the exhaust hood), this huge indoor gastronomic hall features stalls from some of Rome’s best food artisans. Forget hunting down a “tourist menu” along Via Gioberti and getting ripped off; within five minutes you can sink your teeth into high-quality Trapizzino (pizza pockets), truffle pasta, artisanal gelato, and fresh mozzarella. Safe place. Convenient. Loud Vibey Delicious.
From a sightseeing point of view, this makes an excellent starting place for a walking tour. It is only about fifteen or twenty minutes’ walk down Via Cavour to the Colosseum and Roman Forum,with spectacular approaches to the ruins. For anything much further afield,the Termini Metro hub is just blocks away–practically both Line A and Line B directly beneath your feet!That’s some serious logistics bonus points over stays in Trastevere or near the Pantheon where metro access is limited.