Lonely Planet Review
Housed in a converted 17th-century cloister, the Santa Maria is a gorgeous haven of tranquillity. Its 19 attractive rooms, set hacienda-style round a central courtyard, are cool and relaxing, combining terracotta tiles with cream walls and wrought iron bedsteads. The attentive management is young, polite and English-speaking.
To say that it's the best hotel in Trastevere is not a sufficient compliment. In our opinion it's one of the best in Rome. It's got the lot: location (right in the heart of Trastevere), atmosphere (orange trees, a brick portico and wood-beamed ceilings), pretty, well-appointed rooms, and an ample wine cellar. The friendliness of the staff is the icing on the cake. It's the sort of place you look forward to returning to. The excellent breakfast is served in the courtyard in summer, while in winter you eat in the tasteful dining room, a converted artisan's workshop. If pushed for a drawback, the bells from the nearby Basilica di Santa Maria might keep some people awake.
Review by author
Duncan Garwood