The Santa Sofia/Madonna dei Monti pension hotel is, as indicated, a good value for the money, in a convenient location (just a few blocks from the B-line Cavour metro stop). It is run by Portuguese/Spanish speaking Ukranian nuns, and if you don't speak a little Spanish there can be a bit of a language barrier. However, at night there is a gentleman who speaks English/Spanish/Portuguese/Italian; I would recommend directing any questions you may have to him. Payment is cash only which can be a drain on vacation money - but in my opinion it's worth it since the hotel is in a safe, convenient area (you can see the Colosseum down one of the adjacent streets). Rooms are basic but you will have a private bathroom which is a luxury in Roman budget hotels. Try to get a room in the back; ours faced the adjacent piazza and, frankly, it's noisy - often until about 4:30 a.m. Another negative is the fact that the nuns lock the place up at about midnight - so if you like to stay out late or wander about, this is not the place for you. There is no a/c, so it would probably be quite stuffy in the summer months- however each room has at least one window so you would get some air circulation. With your rental you will receive breakfast in the communal lunchroom; it's basic but acceptable. There is a grocery across the piazza, as well as restaurants and up the street a good gelateria. I would definitely recommend this hotel to budget travelers of all ages, and would not hesitate to stay here again on a future trip to Rome.

For me, it was a great location -- between the Colosseum and the Vatican. Pluses: 1) PRICE OK. 2) fairly private 3) elevator 4) church attached 5) good Chinese restaurant and small grocery stores a few steps away. Minuses: 1) very basic rooms and beds (could use some interior decor) 2) curfew -- doors locked at 11 p.m. 3) strange hallway lights that you have to turn on yourself, then always go off when you still need them 4) No internet access that I could see, but mind you, there are small internet cafes in the area 5) yes, Sisters in charge (Srs. of St. Anne) are a bit distant, but that's probably because they would rather speak either Portuguese (they are from Brazil) or Ukrainian (they are of Ukrainian heritage). I would go back anytime.

Madonna dei Monti also goes by the name of "SANTA SOFIA" (actually the name may not even be "Madonna dei Monti" as this is just the Piazza it is located on). I first stayed at this convent/hotel in 1990. At that time it was a beautifully preserved 400 year old building which originally housed the Basilian Fathers who have since moved on. Since the 1950's the Basilian sisters have run it. In the late 1990s they renovated it, completely destroying its character. COMPLETELY I tell you. It used to have vaulted ceilings, 300 year old historic floor tiles throughout (which I was told to tread lightly upon by none other that Cardinal Lubechevsky who lived in the hotel and would join us for the communal dinner every evening. This tragic place now has dropped tile ceilings, fluorescent lighting and new androgynous floor tiles. Feels more like a warehouse than a former monastery. What a pity. The Ukrainian nuns who run it could be a little more friendly and often you sense a disconnect as if they don’t understand the basic needs of travelers. One surprise though, the hotel is attached from the inside to a beautiful little 400 year old church which survived the “wreck-ovation” in the 1990’s. The church (it’s the chapel for the nuns) houses an icon that was discovered hidden within the wall when they were electrifying the place back in the early 1900’s; icon now prominently displayed above the altar. Worth a visit. All in all, if you need a cheap and relatively clean place to stay that is a few blocks from the Roman Forum, then this might do, but for just a few Euros more, go a few blocks up Via Cavour to the Bambino Gesu Hotel Convent (north side of the street – super clean and friendly) which beats the heck out of Santa Sofia a.k.a. Madonna Dei Monte. -----