Casa Montani

Rooms

The main building has 9 bedrooms over 2 floors, and each floor has a small communal lobby. All bedrooms have heavy Designer’s Guild curtains, wenge wood floors, and kingsize beds with goose-down comforters and shot-silk bedcovers. Bathrooms have carved antique-style mirrors that contrast with the sleek modern fittings. The suites have bathtubs, the rest showers, but all have Frette towels and Hèrmes toiletries.

We stayed in the Junior Suite (Room 1), which is wallpapered with broad, delicately coloured stripes. There’s an extra sofabed for a child (custom-built around an actual single bed, so more comfortable than most), and this is upholstered in Designer’s Guild fabrics. But our favourite room is the Suite (Room 5), thanks to its 3 huge windows, 2 of which face Piazzale Flaminio. Its sofabed (also for a child) is upholstered in dark damask and there’s a dark marble bathroom.

Of the Deluxe Rooms, Room 2 has olive-green walls and narrow French doors leading onto a small stand-up balcony with outdoor furniture, a rain cover and a little heater overlooking an internal courtyard (perfect for enjoying a glass of Italian vino at the end of the day). Room 3 has long views over the street. Much-requested Room 4 feels a little larger, and is particularly romantic thanks to its elaborately carved headboard and street views. Deluxe Rooms are assigned on arrival.

There's also a separate apartment for 2-4 on Piazza dei Satiri (quite near the Pantheon), perfect for a couple or a small family wanting their own pad in Rome. It bears the same attention to detail, but in a more muted palette of silvers and greys. There are 2 bedrooms (1 double, 1 single), each with a marbled ensuite bathroom, and a living room with a double sofabed and a simple kitchenette in the corner. You get a personal check-in, daily cleaning and WiFi; for any other requests, there's a phone concierge to help you out.

Features include:

• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Breakfast is brought to your room, on a little chrome trolley - we ate ours in bed (there's not much surface space) and felt very indulged. You fill out a menu form the night before, with the time you’d like it delivered. It's a good continental spread, including cornetti (croissants), yoghurt, orange juice, jams and Nutella, fresh rolls and cheeses, plus cappuccino and hot chocolate among the drinks.

The hotel doesn’t have a restaurant, but there are loads of good eateries nearby. Within a 5-minute walk there’s the molto chic Dal Bolognese, the intimate and traditional Edy (one of the few to stay open on a Monday), or the rooftop High Res, which offers fusion food with a fabulous view. Gusto Pizzeria and Wine Bar is also popular and well located, particularly if you’re after typical Italian pizzas - and who isn’t?

If you're staying in the apartment, you'll find a simple kitchenette for preparing breakfast, light meals and snacks (2-ring hob, fridge, microwave, Nespresso machine, dishwasher, washer-dryer), and a white tulip table with 3-4 chairs. There's no shortage of eateries around the Piazza dei Satiri. Note those staying in the apartment do not get breakfast included.

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Visit the great disc of Piazza del Popolo, which could hardly be closer, and see its central obelisk and the Caravaggios and Raphael chapel in the church of Maria del Popolo
  
• Wander up to the views from Pincio Hill, then explore drop-dead gorgeous Villa Borghese, its magnificent Galleria Borghese and its tranquil gardens
  
• Head east for Il Vittoriano - the mammoth, monstrous yet undeniably impressive white-marble victory monument
  
• Decide for yourself whether Richard Meier’s Ara Pacis building (a modern alter to the Roman goddess of peace; 10 minutes' walk) is exquisite or an eyesore
  
• Window-shop in the glamorous designer-laden grid of streets that make up Tridente, then settle on the Spanish Steps for some serious people watching
  
• Meander through the historic centre to Piazza Navona and the majestic Pantheon
  
• Throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain to ensure you return to Rome, as there are a myriad other sights to see, including the Forum, the Colosseum, Trastevere, St Peter's Square and the Vatican

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling
• Historical sites
• Language courses
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Private guided tours
• Shopping / markets

Kids

Children are welcome at Casa Montani, and Rome is a great place for kids with an imagination and an interest in the Romans' fascinating history.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Each of the 2 suites has a single sofabed, and Casa Montani can supply a cot in any of the rooms at an extra charge (unless the sofabeds are in use). For a family of 4, the separate apartment is a great option.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Casa Montani guesthouse (see map) is in the heart of Rome, near the Piazza del Popolo on the northern edge of the historic centre. The separate apartment is 2km away at the southern edge of the historic centre, on Piazza dei Satiri. Both are within walking distance of the main sights.

By Air:
You've got a choice of 2 airports: Leonardo da Vinci/Fiumicino (33km), where most international flights arrive, and Ciampino/G.B.Pastine (30km), which is served by domestic and a few international flights.

From the Airport
The hotel can arrange a transfer or you could hop in a taxi. Alternatively, if you've flown into Fiumicino, you can take the airport train into the centre of Rome (the Leonardo Express runs every half hour). From Termini station, it's 15 mins by metro or taxi to the guesthouse.

By Car:
Taking a car into Rome is no joke, but if you are driving anyway, take the Via Cassia exit from the Grande Raccordo Anulare into the north of the city, then follow your satnav. There are paying car parks nearby (enquire when booking).

By Public Transport:
For the main guesthouse, metro station Flaminio-Piazza del Popolo is right opposite; or tram line number 2 also stops here, as do the tourist buses. For the apartment, there are two bus stops within 5 mins walk of the apartment, but no metro stations nearby.

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.