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Guest house · Rome · Lazio

Merulana Star

Two blocks from the metro and a short walk from the Colosseum, this budget 3-star keeps things simple: clean rooms, helpful staff, and a location that does the heavy lifting.

  • An 8-minute walk from the Colosseum
  • Metro two blocks away for the Vatican and beyond
  • Luggage storage before check-in and after checkout
7.1 Very good 1042 reviews Booking.com 7.1 · 1042 reviews

About

Merulana Star

Merulana Star is a 3-star hotel on Via Merulana in Rome, in the Lazio region. The listing is straightforward: non-smoking and allergy-free rooms, a lift, luggage storage, a bar/lounge and a coffee shop. It markets itself as family-friendly and provides a safety deposit box and a first aid kit for guests. Rates start from £117.

Guests describe the property as recently refurbished and clean, with simple budget rooms. The location earns the highest rating of 8 out of 10, and staff are a recurring highlight in reviews. Dining is the lowest-rated category at 6 out of 10, with breakfast mentioned at the cafe downstairs rather than a full in-house restaurant.

  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Wi-Fi
  • Safe deposit box
  • No pets allowed
  • Luggage storage
  • Allergy-free rooms

In brief

What works, what to weigh

+

Strengths

4 reasons to book
  • Central position that covers the main sights — Guests describe easy walks to the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps, with Termini and a metro stop close by.
  • Helpful staff who go beyond the basics — Reviewers repeatedly mention warm, English-speaking receptionists, maps and sightseeing advice, and luggage storage before check-in and after checkout.
  • Honest budget pricing — Rooms are simple but clean, and several guests note the room size and fridge were better than expected for the rate.
  • Clean, recently refreshed rooms — Multiple reviews describe the property as clean and refurbished, with useful in-room extras in some rooms such as a safe, fridge, sofa bed and tea and coffee facilities.

Worth weighing

4 to weigh
  • The dining offer is the weakest part — Dining is rated 6/10, and breakfast happens at the cafe downstairs rather than a dedicated hotel restaurant.
  • Tight arrival and departure windows — Check-in runs only from 13:00 to 15:00 and checkout from 09:00 to 10:00, which leaves little flexibility for early or late travel.
  • Not a hotel for pets — The property does not accept pets, so travellers with an animal will need to look elsewhere.
  • Ratings sit below the Rome average — The hotel's overall score is 7.1 from 1,042 reviews, while the surrounding area averages 8.7 — worth calibrating expectations.

01 — Rooms

Rooms & rates

High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.

Triple Room

  • Sleeping arrangements for 3 persons

Economy Double Room

  • 1 Double bed

Double Room

  • 1 Double bed,1 King-size bed
  • Shower
  • Coffee machine
  • Heating
  • Air conditioning

02 — Amenities

Services & amenities

Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.

Connectivity

  • Wi-Fi

In-room

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Tea and coffee facilities
  • Free toiletries
  • Safe deposit box

Food & drink

  • Bar/ Lounge area
  • Coffee shop

Services

  • Housekeeping
  • Luggage storage
  • Tours/Ticket assistance
  • Key access

Practical

  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Allergy-free rooms
  • Lift
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Leisure/ TV room

Policies

  • No pets allowed

03 — Reviews

What guests say

Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.

7.1
Very good 1042 reviews

Guest-rated 7.1/10 from 1,042 reviews

Booking.com · 7.1 · 1042 reviews
Rooms and cleanliness7.0
Location8.0
Dining6.0
Price and service7.0
7.1Verified guest

“The private bathroom had handy extras, and the rainfall shower was a pleasant way to start the day.”

7.1Verified guest

“The staff were friendly and helpful even when we didn't share a language. The location was excellent — we walked to the station, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and most of the old town. The metro was two blocks away for a trip to the Vatican, and my son loved the vendor next door for pastries and pizza.”

7.1Verified guest

“We had a genuinely lovely stay and would come back. The staff were wonderfully friendly and warm. We spent one night in the quadruple room, which was spotless and had a safe, mini-bar and sofa bed. The location was ideal for exploring a fairly quiet area, with the Colosseum, lots of shops and restaurants close by, plus Roma Termini. The Rione Monti district was worth exploring.”

7.1Verified guest

“Recently refurbished and clean, with pleasant staff. The location was excellent — close to Termini, easy to find, with restaurants nearby and easy access to the main sights.”

7.1Verified guest

“Everything was great, especially the position. It was close to the sights, metro and Termini, though not in the part of the area with a high immigrant population. The room was much bigger than expected from the photos and comments — possibly the biggest in the hotel, number 4. The staff were extremely helpful, and one receptionist spoke very good English. There was even a fridge, armchair and hairdryer. And it's actually a 1-star hotel, not a B&B.”

7.1Verified guest

“Clean room, friendly staff, and a location that was really convenient — a short walk from the metro and easy for seeing the Colosseum and other sights.”

04 — Location

Getting around Rome

The property sits in Rome.

Neighbourhood: Via Merulana runs through a busy part of central Rome. Guests describe the immediate area as lively, with lots of shops and restaurants close by, and Rione Monti worth exploring.

Walking times: The Colosseum is roughly a 5- to 8-minute walk depending on your route, Roma Termini is within walking distance, and the Pantheon is around a 25-minute walk.

Getting around: A metro stop is two blocks away, which reviewers used to reach the Vatican, and staff point out which buses bring guests back to the hotel from the sights.

Via Merulana 240, Rome, Lazio, 185, Italy

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05 — Good to know

Policies & conditions

Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.

Check-in
From 13:00-15:00
Check-out
By 09:00-10:00
Cancellation
Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
Payment
Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
Pets
Not allowed
Property
7 rooms

06 — Questions

Frequently asked

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is from 13:00 to 15:00, and check-out is from 09:00 to 10:00. The windows are narrow, so plan around them if you're travelling early or late.

Does Merulana Star accept pets?

No. Pets are not allowed at this property.

What room types are available?

The hotel offers an Economy Double Room, a Double Room, a Triple Room and a Quadruple Room. The Double Room includes a shower, coffee machine, heating and air conditioning; some guests mention extras such as a fridge, safe and sofa bed in other room types.

Is breakfast available?

The listing does not specify a breakfast offer, but guests mention breakfast at the cafe downstairs as a daily treat. Dining is the lowest-rated category at 6/10.

The bottom line

Merulana Star is a well-priced, no-frills base for sightseeing. The location is the headline, the staff are a genuine plus, and the main compromises are the limited dining and narrow check-in windows.

7.1Best for: travellers who want a simple, central base and plan to spend their days out exploring.

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