Hotel Sant' Anselmo

Gorgeous flamboyantly decorated hotel in the lovely, leafy residential district, Aventine

Aventine is one of Rome’s most sought-after residential areas, an enchanting collusion of ochre and terracotta buildings, umbrella pines, quiet cobbled streets and courtyards, spread up a hill. At the top is an orange garden – Parco Savello - with stupendous views across the city and alongside one of the city’s most ancient churches, Santa Sabina. Close by is the enigmatic Piazza di Cavallieri di Malta, designed by Piranesi.

Overlooking the nearby piazza of Sant’ Anselmo is this exquisite 34-room hotel, refurbished in 2006 to stunning effect. It’s utterly charming, and the design marries baroque opulence with funky modernity. Rooms are all differently themed and wonderfully romantic, some beautifully frescoed, some with poems written on the walls, some with 4-poster beds or canopies and chandeliers. If it sounds over the top, it is, but the modern accents funk it up, and it works. A spectacular yet intimate hotel with consistently pleasant service in a gloriously pretty location.

Highs

• Peaceful, serene and drop-dead pretty
• Stunningly romantic rooms, many with balconies and lovely views
• The communal areas are beautifully styled, too
• Lavish breakfast, served in the tranquil tree-lined garden
• 24-hour front desk with excellent concierge service

Lows

• A bit of a walk to the central sights, and around 10-15 minutes' walk from the nearest Metro stops (Circo Massimo and Piramide)
• No meals other than breakfast, and few restaurants or cafés in the immediate vicinity
• Internet TV is difficult to use