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Rome is a huge city, and very ancient, and it is filled with an incredible amount of historical monuments, tourist attractions and museums. One of the main attractions of Rome is not technically in Rome itself, but it is actually its own little country entirely located within the city’s borders: Vatican City. At just 109 acres, it’s the smallest independent state in the world, and it’s also the least populated, with just 1,000 residents. It is most famous as the home of the Roman Catholic Pope, but Vatican City is also loved for St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square, and the Vatican Museums, where Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel is located. In reality, there are no hotels in the city-state, but fortunately there are dozens of properties just outside its borders, in Rome. We’ve compiled our favorite hotels near the Vatican here, categorically listed based on your travel preferences. Whether you are looking for luxury or affordability, a romantic retreat or a place for the whole family, we have a hotel for you.
Best Overall: Hotel Alimandi Vaticano
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If proximity to the Vatican Museums is what you are looking for, you will surely want to check out the Hotel Alimandi Vaticano, as it is located right in front of them. The 24-room property gets extremely high marks for its location, but the accommodations and amenities are excellent too. Hotel Alimandi is housed in a neoclassical building and features understated but elegant Art Nouveau décor that doesn’t feel too stuffy. With its prime location on Viale Vaticano, street noise could be a problem, but soundproof windows in rooms help muffle the cacophony. A continental breakfast is served as a buffet in the dining room, and the Alimandi Vaticano Bar serves drinks, of course, but also very light snacks during lunch and dinner (although you would do well to eat off-site, ask at the reception for recommendations). Additional amenities include valet parking, airport transfers, and babysitting services, all for an additional fee. At the end of the day, head to the rooftop terrace with views of the Vatican.
Best budget: Relais Vatican View
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As you can deduce from its name, the Relais Vatican View has exactly that: views of the Vatican, namely St. Peter’s Basilica, which is only a few blocks away. The budget hotel has just 15 rooms that are decorated with modern furniture, though details like beamed ceilings add a sense of history to the space. The Vatican aside, the hotel is also close to the Via Cola di Rienzo shopping district, meaning you can spend the money you saved on your accommodation on a new Italian-chic wardrobe. Amenities at the Relais Vatican View are quite limited, as there is no on-site restaurant or even a buffet breakfast. Fortunately, there are many cafes and restaurants within a few minutes’ walk of the hotel. The real draws are the rates and the rooftop terrace, from where you can see St. Peter’s Basilica.
Best for families: Trianon Borgo Pio Residence
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If you’ve ever traveled in Europe with your family, chances are good that you know that it is difficult to find rooms for the whole group, and many of them only accommodate two people. That’s not the case at Trianon Borgo Pio Residence, which has 45 apartment-style suites with kitchens that can accommodate up to six people (book the two-bedroom suite for maximum space, although many of the one-bedroom suites also have capacity for four people, thanks to the removable sofas). The rooms are very modern and comfortable, with details such as air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. Rooms on the upper floors even offer private terraces. Located five blocks from the Vatican walls, near Castel Sant’Angelo, and just minutes from a metro stop, the hotel could not be in a more ideal location. Facilities at the Trianon Borgo Pio Residence include a gym,
Best Boutique: Hotel La Rovere
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Located in a residential area just a seven-minute walk from St. Peter’s Basilica, Hotel La Rovere is a boutique property in an early 19th-century building near the Tiber River. Its historic setting is manifested inside – you’ll find old stone walls and vaulted ceilings in public spaces and some of the 27 rooms. But old meets new, here, and the decor is modern and stylish. The hotel is ideally located between the Vatican and the popular Trastevere neighborhood, known for its medieval history, cobbled streets and vibrant nightlife. It’s only a ten-minute walk from the hotel to Trastevere’s restaurants and bars, which is very convenient for visitors, as there is no restaurant on-site. However, there is a free breakfast buffet, as well as a small bar serving coffee and wine. Pro tip: ask for a room on a higher floor,
Best for romance: Hotel Sant Anna Roma
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Housed in a 16th-century palace just 650 feet, yes, feet, from St. Peter’s Basilica, Hotel Sant Anna Roma is a delightful stay for history buffs, and the elegant setting lends itself to a romantic stay. The 20 guestrooms feature parquet floors, wall murals, billowing curtains, and beamed ceilings or decorative trim. There’s a free breakfast buffet served in a small dining room that’s also adorned with murals, plus a black-and-white marble floor, but otherwise you’ll have to leave the property for meals. However, there is a lounge with a quiet patio that is a great place to have a glass of wine and relax. The very walkable neighborhood here is full of cafes, restaurants, and bars, not to mention shopping along Via Cola di Rienzo, so you’ll have plenty to do during your stay.
Best for luxury: Gran Meliá Roma
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Most of the Italian urban hotels are small, but the Gran Meliá Roma is a true resort located within a city. It is located on a hill overlooking the Vatican on the former site of the home of Emperor Nero’s mother: Villa Agrippina. Later, a convent was built here, and those structures have been transformed into the Gran Meliá property. The hotel is just a seven-minute walk from St. Peter’s Basilica, and a ten-minute walk from bustling Trastevere, but keep in mind: you may want to book a longer stay here, as you’ll want to spend a good amount of your time exploring the property itself. The 116 rooms and suites vary widely in size, but all share a sophisticated aesthetic that blends old and new through updated furnishings that still feel right at home in the historic building. The hotel amenities really shine here. There are two outdoor pools; a spa with its own plunge pool, saunas, and steam rooms; a beauty salon a fine dining restaurant and a poolside patio serving casual dining.
Best for nightlife: VOI Donna Camilla Savelli Hotel
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The Pio Borgo neighborhood around the Vatican might have a number of restaurants and bars, but if you’re looking for a true Roman nightlife, you’ll want to head south to Trastevere, where the nights come alive. It’s not a nightclub scene, rather revelers start their nights with a few glasses of wine at dinner before hitting the bars. Stay at the VOI Donna Camilla Savelli Hotel for a glorious retreat from the nightlife that surrounds you. Although located in the heart of Trastevere, which is about a 30-minute walk from the Vatican, the hotel is delightfully serene, housed in a 17th-century monastery built by the famous architect Francesco Borromini. You can start your evening here, dining in the garden restaurant or having a drink in the bar. Then at the end of the night
Best for business: Le Méridien Visconti Rome
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Modern hotels are not always the norm in Italy, especially in historic city centers, but you will find Le Méridien Visconti Rome with state-of-the-art technology and plenty of space. The 240-room Marriott hotel is ideal for travelers heading to Rome for work, thanks to its 10 meeting rooms, a staffed business center, and outdoor spaces that can be rented for events. Le Méridien Visconti is located in the Prati neighborhood, an upscale residential area known for its Art Nouveau buildings, and is less than 30 minutes’ walk from Vatican City. Rooms here are contemporary in style with a 70s feel, though the palettes are very neutral with beige tones with blue accents. Upgrade to a suite for more space if you are using your room as an office. Other amenities include a rooftop terrace serving food and drinks, a coffee shop,
Best B&B: Vatica B&B Rome
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Dozens of bed and breakfasts dot the area surrounding Vatican City, but our favorite is Vatica B&B Roma, located less than a ten-minute walk from the city walls. The property is small, with only three rooms: a double, a triple, and a two-bedroom suite, each with a private bathroom, private balcony, air conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. Rooms are individually decorated with bright bedding and vibrant artwork – they feel quite homey, but not dated or stuffy. The inn is on the fourth floor of a historic building, there is an elevator, albeit quite old, to help you get there. As a proper B&B, breakfast is served daily in the common room, which also has a shared kitchen. The owners Lyuba and Marco are friendly and welcoming hosts and will go above and beyond for their guests. For example,
Our process
Our writers spent 8 hours researching the most popular hotels near the Vatican. Before making their final recommendations, they considered 40 different hotels and read over 100 user reviews (both positive and negative). All of this research adds to recommendations you can trust.
