The Beehive

The Beehive was started by Linda and Steve, who moved to Rome in 1999 to open a different kind of hostel, and it remains small, independent and personal. It sits on Via Marghera, a residential street a few minutes' walk from Termini station, which makes it convenient for arrivals by train or airport bus while offering a calmer atmosphere than the big party hostels nearby.

Accommodation includes shared dorms and private rooms with shared or private bathrooms, some with air conditioning and some without, so there are options for different budgets. The common spaces, which the hostel calls comfort zones, include a courtyard garden, a living room and a communal kitchen where guests can prepare their own meals. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, and the founders are vegetarians who encourage a considerate, low-impact way of travelling.

Sustainability is at the heart of how the hostel runs. Practices include recycled paper products and LED lighting, repurposed furniture, clothing and book swaps, acting as a donation drop-off point for organisations that help homeless people, and promoting local businesses and sustainable travel. The owners have run these practices for more than two decades, and they are happy to share recommendations for independent places to eat and visit.

It is best suited to solo travellers and couples. Groups of more than three people, whether family or friends, are not accepted, which helps keep the atmosphere calm. Reception is open from 09:00 to 21:00 rather than around the clock, so let the team know your arrival time in advance; outside these hours you will need to make arrangements beforehand. The hostel can be contacted by phone on +39 06 4470 4553 during reception hours, by WhatsApp message, or by email at [email protected]. Prices are at the budget end of the scale.

From the Beehive, Termini station is around five minutes' walk away, with Metro Lines A and B, the Leonardo Express to Fiumicino airport and buses across the city. The basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Baths of Diocletian, part of the National Roman Museum, are within walking distance, and the Monti district, with its restaurants and bars, is about 15 minutes away on foot. The Colosseum can be reached in a few stops on Metro Line B.