HOTEL SANTA MARIA
Ivy-clad courtyard charmer close to Rome's riches
HIDING IN ROME'S TRASTEVERE DISTRICT, Hotel Santa Maria is a tucked-away gem. Surrounded by tall houses packed hugger-mugger within a labyrinth of uneven cobbled, medieval streets, this former 16th century convent still has the feel of being cloistered away.
We pressed the bell on an anonymous-looking door which snapped open to spill us unexpectedly into a pretty pebbled square filled with light. At the heart is the eponymous courtyard, sprinkled with pretty orange trees and an abundance of flowers. Parasoled tables provide shade but there are pockets where you can sun-soak too. An artisan’s workshop is now the dining room, and we flitted happily in and out with bottles from their well-stocked cellar.
Simple but sweet-as-pie bedrooms and spacious mansard-roofed duplexes open onto Hotel Santa Maria's sunny courtyard. Comfortable, quiet and painted in Mediterranean colours, they share oak furniture, terracotta tiled floors and floral motifs.
Hit the Spot
Spot-on in Trastevere, near the Tiber.
Bedtime
Junior mansard suites have a secluded upsatirs bedroom and downstairs lounge.
Be Savvy
Light sleepers may be awoken by bells from the nearby basilica.
Be Smitten
Fetching little find in a top location.
Higgledy-piggledy streets
A refectory table groans with breakfast goodies – enjoy your fruit, cheeses and cornetti in the courtyard in summer – and there are plenty of places to dine out locally at night. Come evening, the streets around here fill with the tables of good-value osterias; for dessert we called into one of the icecream parlours for our nightly shot of gelato.
Get lost in the area’s higgledy-piggledy streets, before crossing the river to Isola Tiberina and the old Jewish quarter. Here’s a place in an area with some buzz that feels utterly tranquil.
Hotel Santa Maria was reviewed for Room for Romance by Mike North
.
We pressed the bell on an anonymous-looking door which snapped open to spill us unexpectedly into a pretty pebbled square filled with light. At the heart is the eponymous courtyard, sprinkled with pretty orange trees and an abundance of flowers. Parasoled tables provide shade but there are pockets where you can sun-soak too. An artisan’s workshop is now the dining room, and we flitted happily in and out with bottles from their well-stocked cellar.
Simple but sweet-as-pie bedrooms and spacious mansard-roofed duplexes open onto Hotel Santa Maria's sunny courtyard. Comfortable, quiet and painted in Mediterranean colours, they share oak furniture, terracotta tiled floors and floral motifs.
Hit the Spot
Spot-on in Trastevere, near the Tiber.
Bedtime
Junior mansard suites have a secluded upsatirs bedroom and downstairs lounge.
Be Savvy
Light sleepers may be awoken by bells from the nearby basilica.
Be Smitten
Fetching little find in a top location.
Higgledy-piggledy streets
A refectory table groans with breakfast goodies – enjoy your fruit, cheeses and cornetti in the courtyard in summer – and there are plenty of places to dine out locally at night. Come evening, the streets around here fill with the tables of good-value osterias; for dessert we called into one of the icecream parlours for our nightly shot of gelato.
Get lost in the area’s higgledy-piggledy streets, before crossing the river to Isola Tiberina and the old Jewish quarter. Here’s a place in an area with some buzz that feels utterly tranquil.
Hotel Santa Maria was reviewed for Room for Romance by Mike North
.
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Dining in
Only breakfast is served but what a breakfast: look forward to goodies such as freshly-baked croissants, scrambled eggs, ham, cheese, seasonal fruit and home-baked cakes. Enjoy the fine Roman weather by eating out in the garden.
Dining out
There are plenty of choices just a few minutes away. Nip down to the un-touristy Osteria del Gallo, or indulge in the local pastime of people-watching at the Pastarito pizzeria, 15 minutes away and known for their generous portion control.
Where?
Hotel Santa Maria
What’s cooking?
Hearty breakfasts with home-made treats
Dress the part
When in Rome, as the Romans do…
Top table?
Out in the garden with the sun on your face.
See & Do
With its old winding streets and ancient markets, Trastevere has retained much of its pre 19th century character. Talk a walk through this historic part of town to know exactly what old Rome is about. The Vatican is about 20 minutes away and you certainly shouldn’t miss it. Take a boat ride along the Tiber to reach the Sistine chapel, with its wondrous Renaissance ceilings. Join a guided tour of the Coliseum and hear what it meant to be a gladiator, or simply sit at the top of the Spanish Steps with an icecream. The hotel provides free bicycles for those happy to brave the streets with a slight wobble.
Shop
Wander the characterful streets of the Trastevere quarter just outside your door, or head for the glitzy designer stores of Via Condotti 15 minutes away. Cheap bags and sunglasses are on sale at plenty of streetside stands.
Spa
You can book a Shiatsu massage in your room – perfect for soothing away any bruises inflicted by bustling tourists.
After dark
Get to know your surroundings by joining Hotel Santa Maria’s sunset walking tour of medieval Trastevere or clip-clop through the streets by horse and carriage. The Smokey Jazz bar down the road is a great haunt of music fans and you can also have an al fresco bottle of wine in the hotel’s courtyard. There are also plenty of late-night gelaterias around.
Dates
Easter week
The Vatican draws crowds from around the world to see the Pope’s address. The candlelit Easter procession is another highlight of holy week.
June to September
Estate Romana is Rome’s summer festival, with concerts, outdoor cinema and a variety of gigs.
Only breakfast is served but what a breakfast: look forward to goodies such as freshly-baked croissants, scrambled eggs, ham, cheese, seasonal fruit and home-baked cakes. Enjoy the fine Roman weather by eating out in the garden.
Dining out
There are plenty of choices just a few minutes away. Nip down to the un-touristy Osteria del Gallo, or indulge in the local pastime of people-watching at the Pastarito pizzeria, 15 minutes away and known for their generous portion control.
Where?
Hotel Santa Maria
What’s cooking?
Hearty breakfasts with home-made treats
Dress the part
When in Rome, as the Romans do…
Top table?
Out in the garden with the sun on your face.
See & Do
With its old winding streets and ancient markets, Trastevere has retained much of its pre 19th century character. Talk a walk through this historic part of town to know exactly what old Rome is about. The Vatican is about 20 minutes away and you certainly shouldn’t miss it. Take a boat ride along the Tiber to reach the Sistine chapel, with its wondrous Renaissance ceilings. Join a guided tour of the Coliseum and hear what it meant to be a gladiator, or simply sit at the top of the Spanish Steps with an icecream. The hotel provides free bicycles for those happy to brave the streets with a slight wobble.
Shop
Wander the characterful streets of the Trastevere quarter just outside your door, or head for the glitzy designer stores of Via Condotti 15 minutes away. Cheap bags and sunglasses are on sale at plenty of streetside stands.
Spa
You can book a Shiatsu massage in your room – perfect for soothing away any bruises inflicted by bustling tourists.
After dark
Get to know your surroundings by joining Hotel Santa Maria’s sunset walking tour of medieval Trastevere or clip-clop through the streets by horse and carriage. The Smokey Jazz bar down the road is a great haunt of music fans and you can also have an al fresco bottle of wine in the hotel’s courtyard. There are also plenty of late-night gelaterias around.
Dates
Easter week
The Vatican draws crowds from around the world to see the Pope’s address. The candlelit Easter procession is another highlight of holy week.
June to September
Estate Romana is Rome’s summer festival, with concerts, outdoor cinema and a variety of gigs.
GETTING THERE
Location
Vicolo del Piede, Travestere 00153 Rome
Parking
There is parking close by for EUR 15 a day
Trains
Trastevere station – 500m
Taxis
EUR 35 from the airport
Airport
Rome Fiumicino – 32km, or Rome Ciampino – 15km
Rooms and suites
14 rooms, four suites
Special features
All rooms have air conditioning, LCD TVs and hair dryers.
Also…
Bedrooms are built around an attractive rustic courtyard dotted with orange trees.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 175 - 310
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
3pm
Check-out
Noon
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Served until 10.30 am
Room service
No
Children
No restrictions
Pets
No
Air conditioning
Yes
Languages
Italian, English
Wedding license?
No
Your contact
Stefano Donghi – owner
Location
Vicolo del Piede, Travestere 00153 Rome
Parking
There is parking close by for EUR 15 a day
Trains
Trastevere station – 500m
Taxis
EUR 35 from the airport
Airport
Rome Fiumicino – 32km, or Rome Ciampino – 15km
Rooms and suites
14 rooms, four suites
Special features
All rooms have air conditioning, LCD TVs and hair dryers.
Also…
Bedrooms are built around an attractive rustic courtyard dotted with orange trees.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
EUR 175 - 310
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
3pm
Check-out
Noon
Minimum night stay?
No
Breakfast
Served until 10.30 am
Room service
No
Children
No restrictions
Pets
No
Air conditioning
Yes
Languages
Italian, English
Wedding license?
No
Your contact
Stefano Donghi – owner
