Casa Howard

Though a few euros above the budget band, Casa Howard (pictured above) must be lauded for its affordability in the face of extreme style. Its two locations house a total of 10 themed and very unforgettable bedrooms. It's like staying at your stylish Italian best friend's home with each room at the Via Sistina location taking on an aggressively different personality from Zebra (black and white dominated with red accents) to Flower (entirely covered in fabric floral wallpaper), while the Capo le Case rooms (designed by Tommaso Ziffer, creative mind behind Hotel de Russie) are more subtle, named for the colours tinting the rooms. Pets are allowed.
• Via Sistina 149, Via Capo le Case 18, +39 06 699 24555, casahoward.com, doubles (with shared bathrooms) from €170 room only

Relais Palazzo Taverna

Relais Palazzo Taverna makes the very best of its 11-room hotel literally built into a fabulous 12th-century fortress that dominates the Piazza Navona neighbourhood. The hotel's quirky 1960s flower-power-meets-mod interior design nicely shows off its sense of humour, especially as it is located in a quartiere steeped with centuries of unwavering Roman tradition from patrician pedigrees to papal pomposity. Bonus points go to the Gelateria del Teatro just around the corner, whose artisanal flavours are heavily debated as a contender for best gelateria in the historic centre.
• Via dei Gabrielli 92 +39 06 203 98064, relaispalazzotaverna.com, doubles from €100 room only

Hotel Santa Maria

Though it can be a tall order to find a bit of peace in Trastevere, the Hotel Santa Maria is a tranquil ivy-covered enclave in the very centre of the busy neighbourhood. Fragrant orange trees border a courtyard surrounded by the portico-covered complex and set the tone for the hotel – sweet and simple. Rooms are lightly decorated in a modern Italian country style – brick walls, terracotta tiled floors and floral curtains. All rooms include en suite bathrooms. Perfect for a runaway weekend where anonymity and serenity are required.
• Vicolo del Piede 2, +39 06 589 4626, htlsantamaria.com, doubles from €100 B&B

The Beehive

Created as a traveller's escape from the chaos of Rome and the Beehive now leads a pack of eco-minded budget hotels. Rooms are a nod to minimalist mod chic, with personal touches from the adventurous travels of its American owners. Its "less is more" attitude is nicely complemented the Beehive's eco-conscious convictions. Each room and bathroom includes local-made, organic soaps, shampoos and linens. Guests have the outdoor garden and welcome lounge, yoga classes and massage therapy, and vegetarian bio-cafe for relaxation. Hard to imagine you're just down the street from the Termini train station.
• Via Marghera 8, +39 06 447 04553, the-beehive.com, doubles (with shared bathrooms) from €80 room only

Residenza Cellini

The sleek parquet floors and art nouveau door mouldings of this Liberty-era palazzo immediately impress you, on your way to the very homely six-room family residence. In keeping with the turn of the century detail, there are cheery and chintz decor in the rooms, with brocaded padded headboards, floral decorated earthenware and Persian-style rugs. Residenza Cellini retains a pivotal location in Rome's museum renaissance as it is down the street from Piazza della Repubblica and the lovely Palazzo Massimo (Roman collection), and just a few blocks above Palazzo delle Esposizioni, home to contemporary exhibitions.
• Via Modena 5, +39 06 478 25204, residenzacellini.it, doubles from €145 B&B

Suite Dreams

The 21st yin to Cellini's turn-of-the-century yang. Located in the same palazzo as Cellini, Suite Dreams casts aside any Liberty tendencies. Decor is minimal, hued to relaxing vanilla tones and outfitted with flat screen televisions, free Wi-Fi and DVD players, meanwhile retaining the beautiful details of the palazzo such as parquet floors and wall mouldings. For those looking for something affordable and modern in the ancient city, this is the spot.
• Via Modena 5, +39 06 489 13907, suitedreams.it, doubles from €130 B&B

Caputmundi

On an unassuming side street in the Prati/Vatican neighbourhood, this three-suite casa is the ideal spot for a weekend tryst. There is no chance that you will be spotted by the paps here, nor will they get through the double gates. The sitting room is an elegant relaxation spot where owner Anna Maria Matteuzzi serves you home-made breakfasts while you have your pick of newspapers. The three suites are elegantly decorated in a rainbow of luxurious fabrics. Perhaps a nod to its papal neighbours?
• Via Tacito 7, +39 06 324 4376 caputmundisuite.it, doubles from €120 B&B

Daphne Inn

Function and Forum must be Daphne Inn's adage. Its rooms (combinations from one to seven people) are decked out in minimal design, muted colours and optimum efficiency. Geared towards business or short-term travellers (double rooms can be tiny), the boutique hotel focuses on convenience with its full-time concierge services from trip and tour planning, transport organisation and restaurant reservations for each guest. In addition, guests are provided with mobile phones.
• Via di San Basilio 55, via degli Avignonesi 20, +39 06 874 50086/7, daphne-rome.com, doubles from €130 B&B

Sant'Anna

Wonder what it would be like to stay in the pope's front yard? An old establishment in the Borgo neighbourhood, Sant'Anna is a proverbial stone's throw from St Peter's Square – a little bit of heaven in the Vatican area. With its rooms recently refurbished, the hotel's decor recalls its medieval and renaissance histories with guests relishing the classic design – lavish and luxurious fabrics and warm marbles – or else in the hotel's gorgeous loggia courtyard. Remember to ask for a balcony.
• Borgo Pio 134, +39 06 688 01602, santannahotel.net, doubles from €130 B&B

Grand Hotel Gianicolo

It wouldn't be fair to write about budget hotels and not include Rome's best kept secret – Grand Hotel Gianicolo. The art nouveau palazzo sits atop the Gianicolo hill and is, as expected, Italian classic design from its initial presentation – a formal lobby with oak panelled walls to the floral fabrics decorating each room. Simple and charming, the Gianicolo is neither chic nor haute design, however, it does have a beautiful outdoor pool, rooms are guaranteed to be quiet and service is polite and prompt.
• Viale delle Mura Gianicolensi 107, +39 06 583 35522, grandhotelgianicolo.it, doubles from €140 B&B

Erica Firpo lives in Rome and writes for Fodor's and Luxe Guides. She authored Insight Guide's Rome Select