Rome Metropolitan Guesthouse

Rome Metropolitan Guesthouse is a very simple, almost hostel-like guesthouse decorated with funky, retro touches. There are 3 bedrooms, 1 shared bathroom with shower that could use a makeover, and a small kitchenette with microwave and fridge that guests can use. One room has a "French double" bed (120 cm) as well as a single bed; one bedroom has 2 single beds in bunk style; and the third room has bunk beds: single on top and double on the bottom. The rooms are small and simple, with no luxuries, but the ambience of the place and the clean and economical accommodations keep guests happy and coming back, as evidenced by the hallway wall covered with thank-you notes, postcards, and letters from former guests. It's definitely bright and colorful, with a cheery youthfulness. The one big downside is that one bathroom that needs some love and attention, hopefully to come in August 2011.

Owners Marco and his sister Alessandra are born-and-raised Romans who took over the guesthouse in 2010. Marco runs the family business -- a coffee bar ("Bar Fondi") just around the corner from the guesthouse with free WiFi, which has been in his family for about 70 years. Guests staying at Rome Metropolitan receive breakfast vouchers for the bar. Alessandra is a student and also helps out in the guesthouse. As twenty-something Romans, they pride themselves on knowing where to go for the authentic, cheap, and cool side of Rome.

The neighborhood, the north side of Termini Station, is known for its convenience, both in getting in and out of the city as well as getting around to all the sites of Rome. Since 2000, with the big Holy Year Jubilee, this neighborhood has been constantly renovated and is very safe and well maintained. Not as densely populated with restaurants and cafés as the historic center, but there are some places we highly recommend: the Neapolitan restaurant and pizzeria "Meid in Nepols" on Via Varese, and the well-known wine bar/restaurant "Trimani" on Via Goito. The extensive bus and subway network hub of Termini are only a few blocks away, so getting around is easy, and there are plenty of services for tourists -- internet points, laundromats, pharmacy, etc.