multi-generational trip to Rome

[RavenclawDiadem]

We lost my Dad earlier this year and mum hasn't been able to travel for ages partly due to his dementia and then Covid. DH and I are thinking of having a week in Rome at Scottish October half-term in October and asking mum along. So there will be DH and I, a 15 year old boy, and granny.

Mum is fairly independent and more than happy to mooch around herself for a couple of hours if DH, me and the boy decide to do something she doesn't fancy. DH and I have been to Rome before - but a long time ago, before we had kids so at least 20 years.

We are looking at 4 nights, Sunday - Thursday. I like the look of a hotel near the Castel Sant Angelo as I seem to remember the area by the Termini station is very dodgy? Any top tips from Rome regulars? Hotel is B&B so looking for cheap options for a good lunch and a simple dinner - pizza/pasta rather than 3 Michelin stars.

Yes, don't stay near Termini. Don't set foot out of the station itself if you go through it. I live in Italy and just last week the news carried reports of how bad the crime around the station is.

We stayed in the Best Western plus Spring House just outside the Vatican walls two years ago, and it was great, perfect to get into the centre just by walking, or a 2 minute walk to the metro. Very safe area. Lovely to just walk 2 minutes into St Peter's Square in the evening and lots of nice cheap restaurants nearby. It's close to Trastevere as well which is ridiculously cheap to eat out in.
I can recommend Arlu - most trattoria restaurants that are not there to cater for tourists will serve only traditional Roman pasta dishes, carbonara, amatriciana, cacio e pepe.
Another lovely one was down a side street near the Pantheon. Best homemade ravioli I've ever had in my 30 years living here for about £6.

https://www.ristorantearlu.it/

Thank you :-) We are looking at booking a package with flights - we need to connect in London and with a 70-something who hasn't travelled in a while this is the hassle free way of doing it. The hotel we were looking at is https://www.hoteldiplomatic.it/en/ which is nothing fancy but seems to be in a less-dodgy area. the hotel you mentioned isn't that far away. Have heard that Trastavere is the place for eating out!

Yes, that looks great.
The ravioli restaurant is Taverna del Seminario.
Tbh, for eating you can't go wrong in that area anyway.