Daplace – Arena House

Hotel Description

You know what? I wasn’t expecting much when I first walked up to Daplace – Arena House on Via Marco Aurelio, but this place actually surprised me. The building itself has that classic Roman residential feel – not flashy, but solid and kind of quietly confident. I mean, you’re literally a five-minute walk from the Colosseum here, which sounds too good to be true until you realize you’re tucked away on a side street that most tourists never discover.

The location is honestly perfect if you want to be close to everything without dealing with the chaos of staying right on the main drags. Via Marco Aurelio is this tree-lined street that feels more like a neighborhood than a tourist zone – you’ll see locals walking their dogs in the morning and kids playing in the small piazzas nearby. The Colosseo metro stop is practically around the corner, and here’s something guidebooks don’t tell you: there’s this amazing little bakery called Panella just a few blocks away on Via Merulana that opens at 6 AM. Trust me on this one.

What I really liked about the hotel itself is that it doesn’t try too hard. The rooms are clean and comfortable – nothing fancy, but the beds are actually good (I’m picky about this) and the bathrooms are modern enough that you won’t be fighting with ancient plumbing. The staff seems to genuinely know the area, which makes a difference when you need restaurant recommendations that aren’t tourist traps. One thing though – if you’re a super light sleeper, ask for a room away from the street side. It’s not terrible, but Rome is Rome, and there’s always some traffic noise. The courtyard-facing rooms are much quieter, especially if you want to sleep past 7 AM.

Here’s what sold me on the place: the little details that show someone actually thought about what travelers need. There are enough outlets in the rooms (revolutionary, I know), the WiFi actually works throughout the building, and – this might sound weird – but the shower pressure is excellent. After walking around Rome all day, that matters more than you’d think. The breakfast is solid too, nothing elaborate, but good coffee and fresh pastries. They set it up in this bright room that gets morning light, and honestly, it’s a nice way to start the day before heading out to fight the crowds at the Forum.

The whole area comes alive differently depending on when you visit. Summer evenings, you’ll hear families chatting on their balconies and the sound of Vespas puttering down the narrow streets. Winter mornings are quieter, almost peaceful, with that crisp Roman light filtering through the trees. Either way, you’re close enough to walk to major sites but far enough away that you can escape back to somewhere that feels real when you need a break from all the marble and history.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $179. Double Room with 1 double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $219. Triple Room with 1 single bed and 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $159. Single Room with 1 single bed for Max persons: 1

Reviews

• perfect stay near coliseum – Miranda from Spain – 15 April 2025 (9/10)

  easy to find the place, comfortable rooms and nice staff.

• Nice location and cute little cosy room for one. – Kerri from Australia – 7 March 2025 (9/10)

  Great location. Very cute little room. Comfy bed.

• Good value for money choice. – Nadiia from United Kingdom – 5 March 2025 (9/10)

  I like the location, comfortable bed, good size room and bathroom for this price. Really cute cafe just outside the place with cheapest cappuccino we found in Rome and tasty sandwiches, we always had breakfast there. Very good value for money
  
  What could be improved: Only thing I didn't like, it's not enough day light in the room, as it was ground floor with a fence and a high trees outside, so you need to use light all the time, but we spent only mornings and nights there, so it didn't really matter

• Superb – Ali from Iraq – 1 January 2025 (9/10)

  The hotel is so nearly from the colosseum and the place so quiet
  But the room was small but so clean it’s depending on price when u compare it with other hotels and same cost its so good and worthy

• Higher price for what they are offering , I think half of price is for location – Cristian from Romania – 4 October 2024 (7/10)

  Location, staff, clean
  
  What could be improved: Pillow, view, too small

• Very good – Carrie from Canada – 1 October 2024 (8/10)

  What could be improved: There was no staff. It would have been nice to meet or be greeted by at least one person.

• Comfortable rooms close to the Coliseo! – Diego from Spain – 30 August 2024 (9/10)

  The guest house is in a fairly chill neighborhood but still at a very walkable distance from the Coliseo. The room is comfortable, with AC, and internet works very well (very appreciated!). You can self-check in.
  
  What could be improved: You barely see any staff (it's not terrible at all, just something to keep in mind).

• Great! – Andrea from Italy – 21 August 2024 (8/10)

  What could be improved: Bathroom was a bit smaller

• Overall nice stay, will stay there again. – Julia from Germany – 13 June 2024 (9/10)

  Supreme location, everything handled online, you get access codes to the property which is super convenient. Room was nice, could have been a bit more spacious. Bathroom was big with enough amenities to last the whole trip. Bed was one of the most comfortable ever.
  Small shops nearby to have breakfast.
  
  What could be improved: The hair dryer, already looked sus when I took it out of the bag it was stored in but didn't really had any other options as I didn't bring one. During blow drying my hear it actually blew out sparkles and slightly exploded.

• Great location – Gerald from United States – 21 May 2024 (8/10)

  Great location and staff!
  
  What could be improved: Location I have stayed in that area 10 years!!

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities