We have just returned from Rome after having a weekend break. We flew into Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci) airport, from here it is easy to catch the Leonardo Express train to the Central Termini Station in Rome. Cost of tickets are 11 euro each way and can be purchased from ticket stalls by the platform. Once you have your ticket ensure you validate it by getting it stamped in one of the yellow machines on the platform. The Stella is in a good location, just a 5min walk from the central Termini station. and easy to find if you have directions. We arrived about midday and were able to check in, we had room 302 and found this to be very clean, good size and overlooking the side street (above Julius Ceasar bar) we were not disturbed by any noise. The bar opens at 6pm until 2am, the staff were great and friendly, Benito the owner was great. Prices are 5-6 euro for a lager 40cl or glass wine 4 euro (125ml size) so quite pricey but the norm for Rome. We visited Bar Brasil in Piazza Venezia for a cappucinio and diet coke this cost us 10 euro!!! Check the prices of drinks in all places before you order is a wise idea. The hotel was in a convenient location, breakfast basic (coffee not good) supermarket nearby and restaurants. We tried Marco Arci (not so good) and a 'steak house, pizzeria' (better but nothing to write home about) alot of places include a service chage of 10% plus a cover chage. Rome is a lovely city and so many wonderful sites to see, the architecture is outstanding. We caught a 'sightseeing red bus' and paid 15 euro for 24hr pass, we bought this at 13.30 and were advised it would be valid until 17.00 the next day so we used it until then. We stayed on the Red line for the first full circle then the next day took the blue & orange line to see other sites. They only run every hour or so so sometimes we had a wait, other companies of which there are many seemed to run more frequently and were 19euro for 24 hr pass. We visited; Colloseum, Trevi fountain, Vatican, Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo, Via dei Condotti street is where all the designer shops are and is worth a visit just to see how the other half live and what its costs!!!! We visited many more sites and walked lots & lots (all in the rain!) umbrellas are for sale by street salesmen everywhere so often approached. Also approached by men giving the ladies roses for free ? no they say for free then want money. Lots of beggers are about the city and please be cautious with bags/wallets as numerous suspicious people (we invested in a moneybelt to keep our money safe). We had a great trip until our last morning, we decided to visit the Pantheon by local bus. We purchased tickets for 1 euro each (each way), we got on the number 64 bus and put the ticket in the machine which made the noise of validating it. After a few stops an inspector got on the bus and asked us for tickets which we gave him. He loudly said 'Problem' and showed me another passengers ticket which had a date stamp on, ours didnt! He only spoke a few words of English and asked us for passport/ID, we said it was at hotel (in the safe as warned about pick pockets on number 64/40 bus) he got very threatening and kept saying Poliza. A guy also with him spoke a little English and asked again for passport, we repeatedly said 'at hotel' the inspector shouted 'Big Problem' 'Poliza' we were sat next to the ticket machine, all he had to do was let us put the tickets in the machine but no! He kept us on the bus until the end of the route, repeatedly threatened us, took our name & address and asked for 50 euro each, which we did not have, so again 'Poliza;! He completed a form for each of us and told us 100euro each at post office (fine). The bus had stopped, I was in tears and he was still shouting at us, he finely let us go (we had no idea where we were) we found our way back on the bus (makeing sure the flippin machine stamped our tickets) this experience scared us both and made us feel very intimidated. We saw what we wanted to in Rome but will not be returning. Some people are very nice but more are arrogant. Hotel check out is 11am and there is a luggage store room if you wish to leave your luggage. Enjoy this lovely city but take care.

Enjoyed our stay at Hotel Stella, simple but clean room with a good shower. Was very cold in the room especially at night, have to ask for the controls for the heating and then they are tempremental! Very good location to the station and historic attractions, staff spoke very good english and were very polite and accomodating. Breakfast was fine (croissant and a roll), bit of a shock if you are used to full english breakfasts in britain! Overall a nice hotel.

Stopover in Rome
Had wonderful room with loads of space for 4 guests kids were accommodated on pullout couch with 2 indivdual beds - no fights!!
good walking distance from the termini with some good little restaurants nearby
breakfast in morning was good cereal and dry toast and croissants and jam.

We'd stayed in a couple of nearby hotels on previous trips to Rome and had seen a good review in a guide, so thought we'd give it a go this time.

The location is good, just 5 minutes walk from Termini train station. There's a supermarket just down the road if you're wanting to get supplies for picnics or whatever.

The check-in was the slowest I've ever seen. The woman on reception was so thorough with our passports that I could have sworn she was a customs official. Honestly, check-in took a lonnnnggg time.

The room was pleasant enough, smallish, but hot in July. I think you had to pay extra for airconditioning. But hey, it was 80 euros and Rome is not a cheap place to stay.

The breakfast was lousy. I've wiped in from my memory already.

Okay, but would I go there again? Hmm, not sure.