We were fortunate to have found this beautiful little retreat in the middle of Trastevere. It came highly recommended by the proprietor of the Hotel Santa Maria a few blocks away - true to his word, it was fabulous.

The room we had, the Rosa Suite, was small by American standards, but it was plenty of room for two people and was spotlessly maintained. The bed was comfortable and the shower nearly a room unto itself. The desk staff was helpful and friendly, as was Mauritzio, who seemed to show up whenever we needed a ride to or from the airport no matter where we were in Rome (by all means, if you're flying in, arrange for your transfers through the Relais - it's not an easy place to find the first time, and Mauritzio is the epitome of charm.).

All the rooms open onto a well-maintained courtyard (a wonderful place to eat breakfast) and the Rosa also has a window onto a second courtyard, which tended to get noisy as people got up and started about their day - and that worked out perfectly for us as that kind of stirring is a much more peaceful wakeup than an alarm clock. Of course, if you don't want that morning wakeup, you can always close the window and turn on the air conditioner (we didn't as the room was just fine in mid-June with the windows open).

The hotel is on a quiet (at least by Rome standards) little street a few blocks from the medieval Santa Maria in Trastevere (even if you don't stay in Trastevere, you should visit this church and check out the piazza, especially in the evening when it's the place to be and be seen). There are dozens of very good restaurants within an easy five-minute walk (and while Spirito di Vino might be a seven-minute walk, it would be worth a seven-hour walk - which is about what you'd need to walk off dinner there. It was, by far, the most impressive meal we had in two weeks of eating at some very good restaurants in Rome - including Il Marguta).

We had scheduled a week in Trastevere and then a week in a hotel a block from Piazza Navona. While that hotel was more centrally located to many of the things we wanted to see, and it was a comfortable, friendly place, it didn't compare to Relais le Clarisse. I couldn't recommend a place more highly.

We stayed in the La Rosa Suite for 4 nights and we would definitely stay here again!!! This hotel only has 4 or 5 suites so the service is first class and personal. We felt like one of the family. The staff did everything thing they could for us, booked tickets for the Borghese Gallery, gave us directions and suggested restaurants. The La Rosa Suite was great! The only thing we wished for was more TV channels, but that was no big deal, since we only turned it on while we were getting ready in the morning. The room is modern, plasma tv and great shower, which we really enjoyed since our villa in tuscany had very poor water pressure. The bed- very comfortable, and the area is quiet for a good nights rest. There is also a single fold out bed available in the room if traveling with a child or 3rd person. The breakfast is simple, but enough to get you out the door, they only served american cofffe though, so we got an espresso around the corner. The location is great, Trastevere is very lively with younger people, less tourist mayhem at night, and is walking distance to most sights. The sushi restaurant around the corner is great if you need a break from Italian. We will definitely stay here again.

The Relais le Clarisse is located in an area of Rome called the Trastevere. We chose the area because we believed it would be the most "local" in feeling. Once there, we found out it is notorious in Rome as being the most heavily littered and grafitti-ridden section of a town that suffers universally from litter and grafitti. The surrounding area was, frankly, disappointing to us upon our arrival.

Having said that, we still had a good time. We were able to walk all over the city, but there is a bus that takes you into the heart of Rome which stops right near the hotel. The staff were warm, if a bit forgetful. We asked for an iron on the first day we arrived, were told it was broken but that a new one would be forthcoming the following day. It wasn't. Soon it became the ritual to return to the hotel, exchange our "bona sera"s and ask for the iron we knew would not be there. Okay, so on the plus side, we were asking for an iron in Rome. How much can you complain? In their defense, they did help us quite a bit with reservations for various activities. We enjoyed them quite a lot.

The room was comfortable, but weirdly laid out. The bathroom was large enough, the shower was large, the bed was very comfortable. The room was wonderfully quiet, as well. Breakfast was very adequate, and there is a very cute little patio area onto which all the rooms open. It is an oasis for a weary traveler who might enjoy a sip of wine outside.

The staff were very friendly and recommended the most delightful restaurant just a few doors down from the hotel. It was perfect!

All in all, if we return to Rome, we will stay in the area just to the east of the Vatican and across the Tiber from the Vatican. It is clean, quiet, and lovely.

After looking long and hard at Tripadvisor - there was always a snag somewhere along the line (and I do appreciate the honesty of the reviews) - I went with gut feeling of the hotel website. It turned out to be just what we wanted. Small, quiet, newly refurbished and a very helpful young lady on reception. On arrival we were unsure as the hotel was in a side street and the area looked a bit run down, but it all turned out very well indeed. Evening meals are not provided and breakfast is typical continental hotel style but very adequate. The best things were - it was newly decorated, very clean, good shower, and in a good spot for catching buses etc. We are very light sleepers but it was quiet despite being in the city. Just round the corner was a network of backstreets with lovely small restaurants. We had a fantastic time in Rome and the staff at the hotel helped as much as they could. We would definitely stay there again! Be sure to take the open top bus tour!