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Trastevere: Hotel Ripa

Reviewed by: Bugalu from AL, review #1386

When: March 2006

A hip hotel in the Trastevere area, convenient to trams and buses. Friendly and helpful, English speaking, staff. Great in-hotel bar!

This hotel is a hip/modern design. Each room has a balcony (although the view is not great). Rooms are sleek and utilitarian, but with all the needed comforts. Without a doubt the most comfortable beds with thick duvets.

We had twin beds that were plenty big enough, and a couch that easily accommodated my niece when she decided to stay the night in Rome with us. The room comes with a hair dryer, mini fridge, TV with more than enough channels, air conditioning and elevators. You may want to pack a small travel clock; although we were able to get wake up calls every morning.

The breakfast is a huge spread by European standards; they are happy to make espresso when asked. We never ate in the restaurant - too many other choices - but there is a bar in the hotel that is perfect for a nightcap and for resting tired feet. The bartender is especially friendly and was helpful in suggesting out of the way restaurants and local sites. They had several nights of live jazz; a casual place to kick back.

Although out of the way, the Ripa is 1 block from the tram stop for #8- which takes you to the Argentina area (near Piazza Navona) and #3 will take you to the Piramide Metro (a 15 minute walk). Metro tickets are sold at the front desk, which is very convenient. One night - very late - we took a cab from Termini for €20.

It is in the area of the big flea market that is held on Sundays. An internet cafe is around the block. There is also a large supermarket, convenient for wine, limoncello, olive oil, and those other treats to lug back for friends. The staff was able to arrange a mini-van to get us to and from the airport, at a cost.

On the downside (isn't there always one?) the bathrooms are roomy, but in 2 weeks we couldn't figure out how to shower without wetting the walls, floors, and I'm afraid the ceiling of the room below us. Typical, no wash cloth and a towel that is perfect for drying a tea cup. Minimal repairs that need to be seen to - as you would find in most hotels.

Overall we were most pleased, and would stay there again. We booked in an airfare/hotel deal, so had a special rate. It is a unique spot, with a very friendly staff. You will enjoy your stay!

Reviewed by: simon76 from Australia, review #1316

When: December 2005

Despite less than favourable reviews, we found the Hotel Ripa excellent value and very comfortable. The staff were very helpful. {4 star}

We chose this Hotel after many hours of research on the internet. The reviews of this particular hotel had highlighted the staff as an area of concern, but the design philosophy eventually won out over the possibility of bad service.

We got an excellent rate for a two bedroom suite in a 4-star hotel through the Tablet Hotels website. We took a cab from the station after catching a train from the airport and had no trouble finding the hotel. The staff were friendly and the we were quickly shown to a lovely room, which was everything we had hoped for - funky design, plenty of space, clean and comfy.

The breakfast was an extensive cold buffet and eggs and bacon. The coffee was strong and thick with both hot milk and water available. The staff excelled themselves when my youngest son was ill at the table and went to great pains to see that he was alright and our table quickly cleaned. They even offered to make him special herbal tea.

The staff at the front desk were likewise helpful and lovely to us. They sell bus/tram tickets and were keen to advise us on the quickest and best ways to reach the sights, providing us with maps and instructions for using the public transport.

The Hotel is situated in Trastevere - over the river, but the transport is plentiful and regular or, as we found, the walk to the sights is easy.

We stayed here when we arrived in Italy and were sufficiently impressed to re-book for the last night of holiday some two weeks later. They offerred us the same rate (230 euros per night for a 2 bedroom suite) and we found the second room of similar high quality on our return. When we arrived the second time, the front desk staff remembered our names and greeted us warmly.

This review is the opinion of a Slow Travel member and not of slowtrav.com.

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Trastevere: Hotel Ripa

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