Taste of Trastevere

With the wide range of accommodation Rome has to offer, it's hard not to find something that fits your budget, taste, or ideal area. Still, at the same time, it's easy to find something that doesn't fit or isn't true to the reality portrayed online.

However, when it comes to a tight budget and really requires an additional level of service that is not necessarily available without a concierge (that is, apartment rentals are not your thing), one finds that staying outside of the historic center itself. it is often an ideal option. That does not mean that you are doomed to camp on the outskirts of the city or halfway to Ostia, but it can mean the difference between Plaza de España and Trastevere, for example.

And so a friend and I recently discovered an absolute gem of Trastevere that we don't want anyone else to miss. Trastevere has often been one of my favorites when it comes to cooking, shopping, architecture, and of course the truly bohemian vibe it has cultivated over the centuries. More authentically Roman than a place like Campo de 'Fiori, although it is home to a rather eclectic mix, it is not completely overrun by drunken American college students, which is always a bonus.

Simply walking the small side streets, breathing in the jasmine-scented air, stopping for a cocktail from a hole in the wall bar, and taking in the sights that have been there for centuries is enough to inspire the mind, body and spirit, much less energy. drawn from the crowds and entertainers in Piazza Trilussa or near Santa Maria in Trastevere in Rome.

Add all of this to a fantastic dinner, at a rate only half what it costs across the river, and this is the perfect place to be; while still being a short walk from the historic center itself.

So last May, when my friend flew in to see me, it was my turn to find the perfect hotel again, and this time I was lucky enough not to have to look beyond my favorite street. Located on Via San Francesco A Ripa, the aptly named Ripa Design Hotel was a real surprise. Surrounded by so much history and aged elegance, the sleek, modern vibe and understated funkiness caught me the moment I walked through the door. The minimalist, yet beautifully striking rooms are a definite contrast to the ornamentation that many Roman hotels seem to boast and even the historic building the hotel is housed in.

Colors, both rich and neutral, delightfully complement each other, and the staff will also accommodate timely requests for rooms with a view. As vibrant as the area and the general air of the hotel are, it is very quiet, so we were able to get a good rest after the usual night in Trastevere. Nice little extras like shuttle service, gym, bar, and restaurant are always convenient, and a really surprising feature is that Hotel Ripa is one of the few European hotels I've come across that accept pets; it's definitely good for travelers with furry relatives to know about it.