The extensive research I did before choosing this hotel certainly paid off! As a single female traveller I was quite worried but this was one of the best holidays I have ever had - and I definately felt safe at the Sunset hotel. The location was AMAZING - I could walk to all the sights from the hotel - (except the vatican which was just a short bus ride away) and although the location was very central it was on a side road so I had no trouble sleeping at night. The rooms were of a generous size - (would definately have been enough room for 2 people to move around comfortably) and were very clean.
The best thing about this hotel was the help I was given as a first time traveller to Rome. I was provided with a map of the city showing the main tourist attractions, however when I was faced with near on torrential rain on my 3rd day the receptionist gave me some very useful hints on sightseeing I could do without getting wet!!
I will definately be going back to Rome again and wouldn't consider staying anywhere other than the Hotel Sunset.

Went to Rome with my Girlfriend for my 30th loved the place.
This Hotel, is based in a fantisic loaction, walking distance from almost everything. big clean modern room.
Cheap resturants outside on quiet street.

As with other travellers we thought we'd carry out some reasearch about Rome and where to stay....well we found this little gem and it is quite simply an amazing 'guest house' wouldn't call it a Hotel as it is a reception desk with rooms, but don't let this put you off beutifuly decorated throughout private, quite and safe.
Beautiful location and more importantly central..to all the sites and the owner Andreas will give you a map and take you through the various sites and best buses to catch, etc.
On the same street is a bank, with ATM about half a dozen small restaurants (avoid the chinese La Pace not good!)
The remaining restaurants very good and reasonably priced expect to pay about 25 Euros (2 courses 1/2ltr carafe of house wine - surprising good wine for only 4 Euros if your interested it was Fruscati vino)
Tubacci shop - sells cigs and does a nice morning cup of cappichino and pastries, lovelly ice cream shop sells icecream from 9am - 11pm!!
Even if you are only in Rome for a few days as we were I would recommend the following sites:
Vatican catch the No 64 bus we were warned about pick pockets but had no problems, felt safe albeit a bit squashed in the bus - free entry (expect a donation) pay the extra charge and go in to the treasury to view the whole of Rome from the top of St. Peters.
Collesuem - breathtaking cost 11 Euros or slightly more for guided/audio tour see so much more than just from the outside and you get entry into Palatino included (Roman ruins alongside) picturesque walk
Not for the faint hearted (you have been warned) but very interesting Saint Maria della Concezione church (bones musuem) located in Via Vittorio venete, basically 4,000 monks bones have been sculpted into various scenes (clock & lampshades) if your interested - beware the church is closed between 12 - 3pm.
If you're interested in a guide book would recommend the Eyewitness Travel for Rome, really useful with bus/metros stops and information about each sector of Rome...Amazon books are offering around £11 including deliver at the time of writing.
If you are booking seperately and not a package holiday would recommend Terravision 20 Euros return to ferry you from the Airport and the Termini bus/train station (you can do it via the local buses that are cheaper) but we found this nice and straighforward for first time travellers to the area.

This hotel had a great location for those travelling light. It was a level 15 minute walk to the Termini station where we got off the airport express train. If you stuck your head out the window and looked left you could see the Coliseum about 6 blocks away. The room was modern but still had nice wood beams, and very clean and comfortable with a large TV and phone. There is a fantastic cheap Internet facility about two doors away and good restaurants in the same block - try the Dodo - we ate there twice. Avoid the one next door to it.) A short walk to the Trevi fountain too. The price was very reasonable for Rome and the neighbourhood seemed safe late into the evening. Excellent multi-paned windows to block out the city noise. Quite a few stairs to get to the room but very good security.