Detailed Review
The Hotel Santa Maria is an Hotel de Charme located in a 16th century convent completely renovated in the year 2000 maintaining the flavour of the original construction. It makes a very pleasant base in a romantic and relaxing ambience.
The hotel is located in an historical area of central Rome in the heart of one of the most ancient and characteristic districts of the city, Trastevere. A true oasis of tranquillity immersed in an intricate labyrinth of colourful and vivacious narrow streets.
Press Quotes
"Once a s17th-century cloister, the Hotel Santa Maria retains an air of quiet in Trastevere." Conde Nast Traveler 03
Independent Reviews
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"A former 17th-century convent houses this pretty boutique hotel, which looks out over the cobbled, cafe-lined streets of Trastevere."
Hotel Santa Maria
By Joanna Monkhouse
Tucked into a bend of the river lies Trastevere (across the Tiber), Rome’s ‘left bank’, a warren of cobbled streets, bars, boutiques and popular trattorias. Just off the piazza in the heart of this ever more desirable area is the Hotel Santa Maria, a one storey hotel surrounding two courtyards of orange trees. This space, cocooned by the neighbouring buildings, was once a 17thC convent, then a car and motorcycle workshop until its transformation in 2000 to a hotel of 20 simple rooms decorated in pale yellow and green florals. Most are doubles or twins, junior suites feature a sofa bed. The suites can sleep a family of up to 5/6, some have further beds on a higher level under a mansard roof. Original artwork, tiled floors (deliciously cool in summer, a bit chilly in winter), wooden furniture and wrought iron or padded bedheads bring a Provencal feel to the rooms. The walls at Hotel Santa Maria are thick which keeps the rooms cool in the heat of summer, but there is also air conditioning. Between some rooms noise travels via the ceiling space in the bathrooms – this is an issue that the management are aware of and are working on. The bathrooms feature tubs (all but three), bidets and large shower heads. One room is adapted for wheelchair users. An inviting buffet breakfast is served in the airy, pillared breakfast room of terracotta floor tiles and dark beamed ceiling. It doubles as a bar in the evenings and has an internet point for guests. Both breakfast and evening drinks can be enjoyed in the courtyard when it is warm enough, about 8 months of the year. Encircled by the stage set backdrop of the neighours’ balconies, this is an ideal spot to wind down after a busy day of sightseeing or shopping, most of it just a 15-20 minute walk from Hotel Santa Maria. This being Rome, there is much to see on the way. From summer 2005, five bikes will be available free of charge to guests. There is also secure parking at the hotel. The staff are friendly and welcoming. Stephano, the manager, is also a qualified guide and arranges superb tours of Rome’s major attractions both for groups and individuals. On summer evenings Hotel Santa Maria offers an orientation tour of the locality to new guests. The rates are a steal in this city of eternally increasing hotel prices.
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