A tangle of ochre alleys, ivy-draped facades and piazzas that buzz until the small hours, Trastevere is the Rome the Romans go to. And tucked away at the quieter end of the neighbourhood, just at the foot of the Janiculum Hill, is Donna Camilla Savelli, a former 17th-century convent designed by Francesco Borromini. Named after the noblewoman who commissioned it in 1642, the building was home to Augustinian nuns for centuries before becoming a hotel. Its chequerboard marble floors, vaulted corridors and pretty gardens also featured in To Rome With Love - and in fact, the whole place really does feel like a beautifully preserved film set.
The 99 rooms range from cosy former nuns' quarters (now Executive and Deluxe rooms, with exposed beams and original stucco) to more contemporary Superior rooms in the newer wing, complete with enormous canopy beds. But regardless of which you choose, the historical bones are visible throughout: vaulted ceilings, travertine details and fragments of religious art on the walls. The Presidential Suite is, however, the showstopper, with a private terrace overlooking the attached church and a whirlpool tub. Views are either of the gardens or Trastevere's cobbled lanes - choose wisely!
The rooftop terrace. Grab a drink and head up for views across Rome's jumbled skyline, including St Peter's dome, the Fontanone and endless terracotta rooftops.
There's a Roman cave beneath the hotel, dating back to the 1st century AD, and a perfectly preserved nuns' refectory full of Renaissance paintings, both of which can be explored on a guided tour.
Room sizes vary quite a bit. In fact, many belonged to the nuns, so don't expect palatial proportions! Classic rooms are also in a separate annex, which may feel a bit disconnected for some.
Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch
Donna Camilla Savelli can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Italy trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Italy trips featuring Donna Camilla Savelli or get advice and suggestions from one of our Italy specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Donna Camilla Savelli start from around $170, or US$170, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
2,000 years of history – and excellent aperitivo – in one of the prettiest capital cities in the world.
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