I had the chance to stay at the Clodio hotel in Rome in September, 2011. The hotel is located in a residential area about 1.7km directly north of the Vatican. The hotel is frequented primarily by Italians and there were very few non-Italian tourists at the hotel.
The hotel is on a quiet side street and has a very unassuming front to it. The staff is quite friendly and speak English perfectly (probably other languages too). There are two different sized rooms available that I am aware of. I stayed in quite a large room that had a couch and a very large private patio overlooking the street. The rooms are very clean and well appointed in a typical European manner.
Internet WIFI is available from the hotel for 4 Euro/day.
They have a very good continental style breakfast that includes many breads, pastries, cold meats, fruit as well as scrambled eggs and ham. I am not sure if they have a full restaurant as I never checked it out. They do have a rooftop patio.
There is a breakout/conference room for groups up to 20 or 30 on the main level. There is also a bar that opens around 7PM on the main level. There is lots of couches and seating space just off of the lobby.
As far as location, it is not the most convenient to the main tourist attractions (except the Vatican). The Vatican is approximately a 20 minute walk away. Otherwise the Coliseum is over an hour walk (about 5.2km). A taxi ride is approximately 12-15 Euros to the gates of the Coliseum.
This walking will have to be your fitness regime as there is no fitness centre that I am aware of in the hotel.
I would highly recommend this hotel if you want to avoid touristy hotels. Ask for room 110 if you can get it, it is worth it.