Hotel Santa Maria (Trastevere)
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"Exceptional Stay at Hotel Santa Maria – Friendly Staff and Perfect Location"
We had an amazing stay at Hotel Santa Maria and we will definitely return on our next visit to Rome. What truly makes this hotel a 5/5 is the staff. Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. We particularly enjoyed interactions with Armando, Adriano, and Kevin. Armando and Adriano, primarily at the front desk, shared fascinating stories and offered excellent advice about exploring Rome—Armando recommended Luppolo Station, and Adriano suggested some fantastic local restaurants. Kevin, who works the bar in the evenings, was wonderful at helping us select wines and chatting about the city while preparing drinks. The location is ideal for sightseeing—most major attractions are within a 30-minute walk. The only minor downside is that the hotel is not very close to Termini, so we opted for a cab to/from the airport rather than using public transit. The staff were happy to arrange transfers, which made the journey seamless. The property itself is charming. The rooms are well-appointed, and the small roof terrace and internal courtyards provide relaxing spaces to unwind. The cloister layout creates a serene oasis in a lively neighborhood. Don’t miss the resident cats—especially Briciola—and make sure to enjoy the daily on-site happy hour! Overall, a perfect combination of location, atmosphere, and outstanding service. Ideal for anyone visiting Rome.
"Quiet in the middle of Rome"
A great hotel with a peaceful atmosphere and very friendly staff. Breakfast is delightful, served outside in the lovely patio. The room was well-equipped with everything we needed for a comfortable stay. Highly recommend this hotel for anyone visiting the area.
"Fab hotel in Trastevere"
A really lovely hotel with the friendliest, most helpful staff you could ask for. The location in Trastevere is excellent, putting you close to bars, restaurants, and the charm of the neighborhood. Rooms are spotless, comfortable, and well-equipped. Breakfast is enjoyable, and the daily happy hour with drinks and snacks is a wonderful touch. Everything combined made for a perfect stay.
"A three-star hotel wrapped up in location and lore"
I was somewhat surprised by the rave ratings this hotel receives on TripAdvisor, Booking.com, and Google, given my experience. That said, the location is absolutely superb, and the historical setting is stunning—these alone make it worth visiting. But, stripped of its surroundings and history, the hotel is essentially a 3-star property. The walls are thin, unsurprisingly, as it was a former convent—you can hear neighbors and street noise at all hours. Beds were comfortable only in the way that they look in photos: not much. Breakfast is buffet-style with cold cuts, store-bought yogurts, and sweet juices, though freshly made coffee drinks by the barista were a redeeming touch. The property is secured behind a gate that requires being buzzed in each time, and the air conditioning didn’t work in our room, leaving it warm and humid in January. The room’s large window opened directly onto a walkway, meaning complete visibility from passersby if you left it open. Only one complimentary bottle of water was provided for the entire stay. The famed happy hour was closed for the off-season. Staff were kind and willing to help with requests, and overall it wasn’t a bad stay at all. It deserves a solid 4/5 or 8/10 rating. But if you are expecting near-perfect, luxury-level standards—especially given the hotel’s high ratings across multiple platforms—you may be disappointed. The property is wonderful for its location and charm, but don’t expect 5-star service or amenities. This review is more a reality check for seasoned travelers who, like me, cross-reference multiple booking sites and have a clear sense of what “highly rated” should feel like. The hotel is enjoyable and historically fascinating, just not the near-perfect luxury experience some ratings suggest.
"Fantastic hotel for Rome vacation."
A brilliant hotel offering amazing service from every member of staff. Breakfast is excellent, coffee delightful, and the happy hour is a lovely touch. The location is ideal—you can walk to almost every major site (Borghese under an hour via Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps; Colosseum 30 minutes; Vatican 40 minutes)—and there are plenty of restaurants right on the doorstep for evening meals. Highly recommend arranging their airport transfer. The hotel, a former convent, has a peaceful courtyard perfect for breakfast or a drink on pleasant days. Surrounded by tall buildings, it remains wonderfully quiet. Heartfelt thanks to the staff for their fantastic service.
"A jewel in Rome"
This hotel in the Trastevere area is an absolute jewel and a wonderful find. Privately owned, it’s clear that both the owners and staff go out of their way to make guests feel welcome. The property is quiet and peaceful, centered around a lovely courtyard overhung with orange trees. Our room for the 3-night stay was perfect—clean, well-equipped, and thoughtfully furnished with USB points, bath, shower, bidet, toiletries, mini-fridge, hairdryer, tea and coffee facilities, TV, and a safe. The mini-fridge had soft drinks for purchase, but a complimentary bottle of water was provided, and refills are easy using Rome’s excellent tap water. Breakfast was continental, with a selection of breads and pastries, hams and sliced cheeses, yoghurts, juices, and scrambled eggs. The cocktails were superb, and the hotel’s Happy Hour offered complimentary nibbles, bruschetta, and pastries (note: drinks are not discounted). While the hotel can be tricky to find, most taxis or private cars know how close they can get, with only a short walk over cobbled streets to reception. Despite being surrounded by numerous bars, cafes, and restaurants, the hotel remains serene, with only the gentle chimes of Santa Maria church nearby. One thing to note is that the hotel is not within walking distance of major Roman attractions like the Colosseum, Vatican, Trevi Fountain, or Spanish Steps, so taxis, metro, or buses are needed—taxis averaged €10–12 per trip in our experience. Overall, we had a delightful stay and would definitely return. For anyone seeking charm, tranquility, and attentive service in Trastevere, this hotel is a perfect choice.
"The staff makes this hotel truly great."
We had an amazing stay at Hotel Santa Maria and will definitely return on our next visit to Rome. What truly sets this hotel apart is the staff—everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. We especially enjoyed interacting with Armando, Adriano, and Kevin. Armando and Adriano at the front desk provided fantastic tips and stories about Rome, including restaurant and sightseeing recommendations. Kevin, who works the bar most evenings, was equally delightful, offering excellent wine suggestions and cheerful conversation while serving drinks. The location is ideal for exploring Rome. Most major attractions are within a 30-minute walk, though it’s not very close to Termini, so we found taking a car to and from the airport more convenient than public transport. The hotel staff are more than happy to arrange taxis or private transfers. The property itself is charming and peaceful. Rooms are well-appointed, and the small roof terrace and internal courtyards provide lovely spots to relax. The cloister arrangement creates a serene oasis in the midst of a bustling neighborhood. Don’t miss the resident cats—Briciola is particularly friendly—and be sure to enjoy the daily on-site happy hour!
"Nice find"
This hotel offers a wonderful stay just outside the very center of Rome—close enough to all major attractions, but watch out for the restricted traffic zone. The property is well maintained, with spacious, comfortable rooms and clean, well-equipped bathrooms. We enjoyed excellent quality of sleep during our stay. Breakfast was varied, tasty, and satisfying, making for a great start to the day. Overall, the hotel offers excellent comfort and good value for money.
"Best lodging in Roma!"
This is truly the only place we will stay in Roma. The customer service is outstanding, the location is absolutely perfect, and the charm of the hotel is unforgettable. Every detail contributes to a wonderful experience. We already can’t wait for our next trip back!
"A good choice in Trastevere, Rome"
The Santa Maria is a well-priced, comfortable hotel in the heart of Trastevere. While the rooms are simple, they are perfectly fine and clean. The highlight is the beautiful courtyard, ideal for a leisurely breakfast or an afternoon aperitivo. Trastevere is bursting with bars and restaurants, yet the hotel provides a peaceful oasis just steps away from the lively streets. It’s an easy walk across the river to central Rome, or a 10-minute taxi ride to the Vatican. The staff is very helpful, making this a great base for exploring the city.
Hotel Santa Maria (Trastevere)
A charming courtyard hotel set inside a former monastery in Trastevere. Ideal for families and travelers seeking peace in a lively area.
Address
Route du port 20220 L'Île-Rousse Corse
Website
www.hotelsantamaria.com
Email
[email protected]
Telephone
04 95 63 05 05