Fun Budget Places to Stay Throughout Italy

One of my top recommendations for a cheap place to stay in Italy is Manuel's Guesthouse in Monterosso al Mare. This northern most town of the "Five Villages" known as the Cinque Terre is an idyllic spot to enjoy one of the most unique views of the Mediterranean Sea. And what better way to experience it than from a oceanview room on the hill overlooking the town.

The first time we stayed at Manuel's several years ago, they didn't have a website or anything official, but just worked through word of mouth and we happened to find them on a forum. I contacted the unofficial "bookie" who was an American expat, and made our reservations. When we arrived by train to Monterosso, our instructions were to go to the neighborhood wine bar, where invariably Manuel himself or someone who knows Manuel will be here to point us the way up to the house. We popped our heads in, with packs on our backs, and immediately someone knew who we were looking for. They showed us the staircase that led to the guesthouse on top of the hill.

Manuel is a fun artist who likes to paint on his patio and enjoy a glass of wine with you. There are now beer and wine left out on honor system with hope you'll leave a euro for your glass. The rooms are simple but great, and over the years, we've stayed in all of them. Because the entire town is on a slanted hillside overlooking the ocean, you will definitely get a partial or full view of the sea. The side room which doesn't look directly over the ocean has a nice view up the neighboring hill with a monastery on the top.

Over the past few years, the guesthouse has steadily grown in popularity, and how runs a bit more officially. They have a website, and Manuel's nephew is now an on-site employee, helping maintain the property, helping guests out, and taking reservations. The rooms are very affordable, going from about 25-30 euro per person, depending on the number of people in a room. All rooms have their own bathroom, although one room's bathroom is off the hall. They are all clean and adequate with plenty of room, and AC/heat.

We've recommended Manuel's over and over to friends and everyone came back with positive things to say. One thing to note is that you will need to be prepared to walk up stairs to stay here...there are 128 steps from the main street to the house. But, most of the towns in the Cinque Terre are all sloped uphill and almost anyplace you decide to stay will require some bit of climbing. Overall though, it's one of the best bangs for your buck and a lovely Italian experience.

• http://www.manuelsguesthouse.com/
• Via San Martino 39, Monterosso al Mare (Cinque Terre)
• +39 333 4390809
• Cash only

One of the most glamorous places to visit in Italy is the Almalfi Coast. Located a little south of Naples on the Mediterranean Sea, this area offers luxourious towns displayed on steep hillside settings. One of the Almalfi's jewels is the town of Positano. But besides being one of the most beautiful places to stay - it's also one of the most expensive.

Luckily, during our stay there, we found a lovely hostel at the top of the town to make reservations. The Hostel Brikette is Postiano's only hostel and as far as we could find in our research, the only somewhat affordable place to stay, as most of the hotels there are expensive even for a very basic room. If you're visiting Positano during the high season (March - November), and are on a budget, I definitely recommend staying at Hostel Brikette.

When we arrived off of the bus from Salerno just up the coast, after a couple train rides from Rome, it was just a short walk down the road from the main bus stop before we found the hostel. *Note that there are limited roads in Positano for cars, as the town is so steep and most "roads" are just staircases for pedestrians only. The lady running the place was very nice and gave us great recommendations for dining options around town. We were shown our room (a private double), which ended up having a private ensuite bathroom as well as a private balcony overlooking the ocean. It was quite amazing compared to the price.

In the mornings there was a breakfast buffet and open dining for the guests on the main balcony. You can't beat the view here, and as most hostels, you're bound to meet other friendly fellow travelers to converse with. This hostel definitely felt more like a bed and breakfast to us, and although they do offer dorm-style rooms, the feel didn't have the party-hostel feel like many do. Prices have remained quite consistant for the past 4 years at least, and range from 22euros for a dorm bed to 75euros for a double with bathroom, and 120euros for a triple with bathroom. The interior of the hostel is quite elegant and open with lots of lovely windows and tile designs over the floors and staircases. A nice upscale feel for a downscale price.

• http://www.brikette.com/
• Open late March - November
• via G. Marconi, 358
• +39 089 875857

We've stayed at several places during different visits to Rome, and to find good deals we've often looked at private guestroom or apartment rentals. Studio della Pace was one of the nicest accomodations we encountered there, especially given its location and wonderful owner, Fabrizio.

This nice studio apartment is located on via della Pace, which is a lovely street just off the famous Piazza Navona. This area happens to be my favorite area of the city, but to find an affordable place to stay near it isn't so easy. There was five of us in total, so our options were expanded in price as we could split the total, but even for a couple, this apartment is still a great deal. It's a private apartment, so you feel like you have your own little home in Rome, and can use all the amenities yourself.

Although there isn't much space in this 45 sq mt. studio, what space there is is used effeciently and if you're wanting to get out and see the Eternal City instead of sitting in your room all day, then it's the place for you. We met the owner there when we arrived, and he gave us the keys, showed us around, presented us with a guests recommendation booklet, and also provided us with a cell phone in case we needed to reach him. The street is lovely and has plenty of cafes and market shops , especially in case you are looking to prepare food yourself at the apartment.

The apartment has been upgraded recently, and is tastefully decorated. There is a sofa bed (and a additional roll-away was provided for our 5th guest), as well as a loft area with another double bed. There's a bathroom, dining table, and even additions like washing machine, dishwasher, coffee maker, and microwave. And of course, linens and dishes are provided as well.

If you're looking for a nice, inexpensive place to stay in Rome where you're at the heart of one of the nicest parts of the city, then Studio della Pace is a great option. Prices range from 32euro - 78euro per person depending on the promotion and season. There's a 3 night minimum, and sometimes good deals offered for longer stays.

• http://www.romeyourhome.it/home_en.htm
• Via della Pace (off Piazza Navona)
• +39.338.5066196
• Bus 64 (Corso-Vittorio-Emanuele/Navona)

After a mix-up at our previously reserved hotel, we were recommended to stop by the Albergo Italia to see if they had vacancy. It was very late into the evening when we walked into the lobby entrance in an alley off the main town square. The attendants were very friendly and eager to help us. They put us up in a nice, spacious room for about $80, which included a full-breakfast buffet. Our room was complete with a view over the town, cable TV, wardrobe, luxurious bathroom, and comfortable bed.

You can't get much better location than this hotel as it sits right off Piazza della Republica which has the town hall, popular deli, restaurants, and several shops of fruit/veggies, souvenirs, and everyday items. The view at breakfast, which is served on the top floor dining room, is spectacular over the town's red-tiled rooftops and green mountainside. Even if you just want a coffee, it's well worth stopping in for a table by the window.

We were very impressed by the overall friendliness of the staff. Several times we asked for recommendations or directions to sights and they gave us flyers, maps, and advice. On the morning of checkout, we still had some time in town before our train ride to Venice, so they offered to store our bags (free of charge) until we wanted to pick them up later in the afternoon at our convenience. I'd highly recommend this quaint, unique, and moderately-priced hotel for a nice visit in Cortona.

• VIA GHIBELLINA 5
• +39 0575630254

Casa Rabatti, Marcella,

During our first trip to Florence, before we made the city our home for a year, we stayed at a lovely guesthouse called Casa Rabatti. We'd read a few write ups about this quaint little apartment on the edge of the center, and made a reservation. As soon as we arrived, we felt like we had an adopted Florentine grandmother to take care of us.

Located on Via S. Zanobi, the guesthouse is convenient and just a few blocks from some of the main sites like San Marco, Accademia Gallery and more. Plus, the city center of Florence is walkable almost no mater where you stay. When we arrived and rang the bell, Marcella met us and walked us up the stair case into the apartment where she rents out 4 rooms. We had reserved a double for 55euros, but instead got a triple for no extra charge as she'd filled the doubles.

The rooms are simple and clean and some include private bathrooms, while others share a bathroom in the hall. There's a small sitting area in the entry room and she always seems to be around to answer questions or give recommendations. Marcella only speaks a small amount of English, but doesn't hesitate to keep right on talking in between some English words and then an entire story in Italian. For some reason though, with her expressiveness, you end up understanding almost everything she talks about.

There is no fancy amenities like soaps, breakfast, or luxe linens, but it does offer everything you need for a place to lay your head down after a busy day of sightseeing in this Renaissance City.

• Via S. Zanobi 48
• +39 055 212393
• For reservations, email: casarabatti@inwind.it