Casa Per Ferie Santa Maria alle FornaciEditor's Pick

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Once a spiritual retreat and working convent, the Casa per Ferie Santa Maria alla Fornaci B&B is still a place where you can enjoy some rest and respite—literally under the shadow of St. Peter’s Dome. In fact, in the time it takes to say the hotel’s name, you can just about reach the Vatican by foot. (It’s just at the end of the street.)

The 54 rooms are fairly spartan in their décor and have a ‘70s feel. Simple crucifixes or religious paintings hang on the walls and there is a tendency toward green, both for bedspreads and for the “leatherette” settees in the reception and TV lounge. Rooms are equipped with a telephone, alarm clock and air-conditioning, and Wi-Fi is available for a cost. Bathrooms are small, but all are private and boast toiletries and a hair dryer.

The Casa per Ferie Santa Maria alla Fornaci is clean and comfortable, and considering the B&B’s central Vatican location, the rates are well below average.

A two-minute walk takes you to San Pietro Station. This is the terminal for the famous 64 bus which runs right through the city center to Termini Station, stopping at just about every tourist attraction along the way. Or why not take the regional train to the little seaside resort of Cervetri for a day at the beach? (Jump on the Civitavecchia train for around three stops, a journey of around 15 minutes.)

Note: Breakfast is included. This is one of the few hotels we visited in Rome that has a specially constructed ramp for wheelchair access.

» Samantha Collins

Note: This hotel was visited by a EuroCheapo editor and is recommended based on cleanliness, location, price and overall quality. EuroCheapo did not charge this hotel to be listed.