Housed inside a former church convent that dates to 1122, Relais Le Clarisse is a homey hotel in the heart of Trastevere. Given the historic nature of the building, each of the 18 rooms comes with a slightly different layout, but all have classic terracotta floors, wrought iron beds, AC, mini-fridges and eco-friendly olive oil toiletries in the modest marble bathrooms. The basic double rooms run a little small but there is a charming inner courtyard filled with olive trees and grapevines where guests can stretch out. The amenities end there, but the neighborhood is full of options for drinking and dining along picturesque cobblestone lanes.
Neighborhood: Trastevere literally means “across the Tiber,” because the neighborhood lies on the other side of the river from the historic center, about 15 minutes on foot from the Pantheon. A great walkable area, the district is best known for its trendy bars which seamlessly coexist next to artisan workshops and traditional bodegas.
Nearby:
Alcazar Live: For cocktails and live jazz in an old movie theater turned hip bar.
Pizzeria Ivo: For crispy thin Roman style pizza and plenty of local character.
Santa Maria in Trastevere: For a glimpse at the stunning golden mosaic above the altar.
Time Out tip: One room on the second floor has a massive private terrace that is unadvertised on the website. Contact the hotel directly to see if you can snag it for your stay.