Do not stay here. We booked this hostel well in advance - a private room. When we got there and after overcharging us for our room, the staff gives us the key and we go to our room. It turns out it is a room with four other guys in bunk beds with a double bed in the middle for my wife and I.

After explaining to the desk staff that there must have been a mistake, their first response was "bummer dude" and then they tell us that they double booked our private room. They say that they are completely full and that the shared room is the only one we can stay in. So at midnight, my wife and I are wandering the streets of Rome near the train station (not the greatest area) looking for other lodging.

Althought the staff offered us a free night stay the next night (likely in a shared room based on their track record), the experience was terrible.They told us that the double booking happens a few times per year, so BEWARE!

We have just returned from 4 nights at the Alessandro Palace and it was brilliant!

The rooms were lovely - all with air con which in 40 degree heat was great! The staff were all really friendly and helpful and upon our arrival gave us a map and great directions. Beware the air con though - about 4.30am each morning it had got so cold we ended up in fleeces and its automatic so we couldnt turn it off!! It made for a better experience though!! The rooms were big and so was the bathroom - ours had a hairdryer in it too.

The hostel is walking distance from all the sights bar the Vatican, but is 5 mins walk from Termini and the Metro. It was quiet around the hotel but with a lively and social bar (which we couldnt hear from our room). The free pizza party was also well worth it!! ;-) Everyone was friendly and sociable and overall would definitely recommend it and stay again.

Also, we went on the Colosseum tour which we booked outside the Colosseum 30 seconds before it started and would really recommend you use the tours - they were brilliant. We then got shown round Palentine Hill by an Ozzie called Hannah Schneider - she was so interesting and enthusiastic we also went on the night tour and the Vatican tour with her aswell - so try and get on her tours!! you find out so much stuff you would never know otherwise!!

Stopped in a double room in December 2006.

Great hostel, good location - handy for the station.
Nice cheap bar - breakfast was good.

Only issue we had was that it was pretty cold in December, and although the room and bar was fine, the hostel general areas - staircase etc. were really cold.

Recommended for warmer times of the year - but in winter bring a jumper.

I liked this place because of its convenient location within a few minutes of walking from Roma Termini train station and subway stop, its clean and convenient in-room restroom and shower, and friendly and good people.

I would stay here again... just be careful of gypsies in the neighborhood who are very aggressive about asking for donations from obvious tourists--they'll take it from you.