The Orsa Maggiore is a lovely little hostel, spotlessly clean, very comfortable, large airy rooms. It is also very centrally located - very close walking distance to St. Peters Basilica, Trastavere, Campa Flori etc. The ladies at the reception are very helpful and gracious.

Howver, the directions given by the hostel are fine if you have no baggage. For those with baggage - Take the train from ROme Fumicino airport to Trastavere. and then take a cab from there. It is very close.
Cause the directions recommended by the hostel (TRain from Fumicino to Ostiense and then by bus from Ostiense to Via Tebaldi) are not too practical if you have a heavy bag. The bus stop to Via Tebaldi is atleast 20 mins walking distance from Ostiense station. Also when you get off the bus at Tebaldi it is another 10-12 minutes walk from the bus stop to Orsa Maggiore. With a heavy bag this is quite tough. Taking a cab from Ostiense would be more expensive. Hence the best solution is TRain from Airport to Trastevere and then take a cab (5 mins away).

The location is superb, but the place is a hostel (and shared bathrooms may be perfectly acceptable most of the time but quite unpleasant in other moments). Nothing fancy, nothing disgraceful, yet one gets the idea that it wouldn't take an enormous effort to transform this cold and anonymous space in a cosy and welcoming home away from home for women willing to spend some time in this magnificent city. As it is now, I would recommend it only to low budget travellers.

Orsa Maggiore or Casa Internationale Delle Donne in Rome is a great hostel with many positive attributes: no bunk beds, cleaned everyday, including your bed made; excellent assortment of breakfast items (coffee, tea, juice, toast, cheeses, ham, jams and cereal) and central location for either walking or taking a bus to the Colosseum, Vatican City and St. Peters Basilica.

There is a variety of rooms available and the dorm have a separation wall for the bigger rooms with a locker you can lock, a bedside table and lamp. Its the little things that make such a difference.

The bathrooms are cleaned everyday and are good quality. Not to worry. In the colder months, the hostel can be a bit cold, bring layers to wear!

I really can't say anything negative about this hostel; I met some great people and had a great time considering it was a big city!

Highly recommended.

We stayed 2 nights, a little outside of "main" city, but you can easily walk to any attraction, even the far-away Termini (yes, we walked to it, took about 30 mins, good way to explore). Clean, neat rooms, bed covers are worn and old, but the bed sheets (those that touch your skin) and the pillowcases are new, crisp, and ironed. Very nice!! No noise, other than snoring sounds from other travelers. Free internet, with small desk and chair. Incredible breakfast!! You can have fromage, toast, ham, fresh hot caffe latte, I cannot say enough. Wish I stayed longer in Rome. Overall, Would absolutely come back to stay again!!!!!!!