We stayed here Val . Good location but it looks a bit pricey now .
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g187791-d556708-Reviews-Residenza_Arco_dei_Tolomei-Rome_Lazio.html
We wanted to stay here but they didnt have a room
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g187791-d664220-Reviews-Residenza_Santa_Maria-Rome_Lazio.html
Again Can't believe the prices now
I would say anything near to the colessuem would be a good location choice if you like your history . .Area around piazza novana/phanteon for eating & ambience . That's where I would choose next time if I could find something at a good price .
"2nd time we went was with the boys and I can't even remember the name of the hotel but it was near Termini station along via Nationale. It is a cheaper end but a fair slap uphill and I wouldnt stay in that part again .
if you want shopping somewhere near the spanish steps but again that's a fair walk from the historic part of Rome and it's really busy . wasnt keen on that part.
On reflection You tend to walk for miles around rome without giving it too much thought but everything is within walking distance really . We even walked to the Vatican although by the time I got there I was already on my last legs and wasnt prepared for the amount of walking once there so it would probably be better to get the metro and save your enegy for the vatican itself.
Good luck with the search Val. The TA list is always a good place to start though.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotels-g187791-Rome_Lazio-Hotels.html I usually work down the list picking out anything that looks within my budget . Their "check rates" facility is a godsend.
Sorry mods hope you don't mind me posting links to the enemy. It was just easier for me to find what I was looking for .
lyn