Aurelius Art Gallery Hotel

Located in a working-class neighborhood on a busy, unattractive street, the Aurelius is a cozy oasis. Small but adorned with mahogany accents and faux antiques -- mini Roman statues and busts, candelabras, oil paintings -- and red leather lounges, the lobby is comfortable and classy. The brick ceiling of the breakfast room enhances that atmosphere. The Aurelius' bar is a relaxing spot for evening cocktails. Kids are welcome, but most guests are international couples who spend their days exploring Rome.

The Aurelius is located southwest of Rome's center on Via Aurelia, one of busiest arteries of the city, but not especially attractive, although the neighborhood has a few good restaurants within walking distance of the hotel, and a supermarket across the street. The Cornelia metro stop, on the Red Line, is within a five- minute walk, and from there it's two stops to the Vatican, three stops to St. Peter's, seven stops to the Trevi Fountain, and 11 to the Colosseum, putting the heart of Rome within a 30-minute ride. The drive to the airport takes a little more than an hour, and Termini Station is nine metro stops away.

The Aurelius has only 26 rooms, which can sleep one to four people. They are all a bit small when it comes to floor space around the beds, but each has a large wardrobe and small desk, in classic wood. The gold curtains and fixtures give the rooms a royal look, and the mosaic-tiled bathrooms are new and modern with large showers. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, safes, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and double-glazed windows to ward off street noise. There are no balconies or great views, but then there's not much to look at.

In addition to the hot and cold breakfast served in a charming brick-ceilinged room -- or in guests' rooms for a fee -- the Aurelius houses a small bar that is open for afternoon or evening cocktails. Wi-Fi is free, if somewhat spotty, throughout the hotel. The reception staff can arrange airport transfers, book restaurant reservations, and help with paid parking, which is located 10 minutes from the hotel. There is a computer, with a printer and fax machine, available to guests in the lobby, and the hotel rents laptops.