Since I was in Italy on holiday with an intention of experiencing Italian culture, I specifically choose B&B's and not hotels in all but one of the seven places I visited.

Le Clarisse was the first stop on my vacation and I must say that I loved the location and the ambiance and would certainly recommend it as a perfect base to explore Rome!

The positives:
> The room I stayed in - Oleandro, was in the 'new' extension and very clean, neat and quaint.
> The continental breakfast was about the best laid out from all the B&Bs I stayed in during my trip and the lady in charge was very kind and helpful.
> It was a nice experience to live in a more residential neighbourhood of Rome, which was still just a short distance away from the main sights and even the Vatican - rather than be stuck in the touristy areas around the station.
> Public transport - buses and trams to the main sights are close at hand and easy to use. Even my transfer from the airport, which I managed by train and bus, and back to the train station was very easy.
> As a single woman traveller, it did not feel unsafe to be living in this area (a couple of harmless tramps were all I did see).
> Based on my experience in Italy, the price for the quality of accomodation was within a reasonable range (as my Italian friends also assured me).

The not-so-good:
> I had a double room for single use and strangely enough the double bed had two different single matresses - one which was very uncomfortable, but I quickly figured it out and shifted to the other side and had a restful sleep. (Unfortunately, I forgot to mention this to the staff but hopefully the problem can be easily solved).
> Previous reviews have mentioned that street sounds in the 'new' wing are rather loud at night and I would agree however since I am used to living in an urban setting it was not unmanageable for me. If you are a light sleeper - ear plugs would be required.
> The room was extremely comfortable in the summer with an excellent air conditioner but I suspect that the rather rustic door might allow undesirable drafts to enter the room the in the winter.

Also:
> I did see reviews which complained about the fact that you have to carry a bunch of keys around (to ensure that you can enter the property after hours) but for me this was just part of the experience.
> They were unable to facilitate an early check in (and to be fair, did not promise it either) but you can store your luggage and lunch/ brunch at the neighbourhood restaurants/ cafe.

This hotel is very sparsely furnished and is definately a NO Frills kind of place. My room was very small and cell like. The twin bed was a mattress on a metal frame - the only thing under the mattress was skinny slats of wood. I was afriad to turn over! I left the hotel after taking a nap! Gloria is a very kind person and the breakfast was very good. That is all the positives I have to say!!

HOTEL, ROOMS - very cosy, well designed rooms in 14th century building. Breakfast room and reception are located in the next building with a very cute garden in the yard with seating area. Very small breakfast room, but super quality food, hot croisants, pastries and fresh cakes, fresh fruit, great selection of salami's and local cheeses. Reception very welcoming and personal. Classic music in the breakfast room compensates for the small size of the premises.

AREA - The street is a little away from the noisy Trastevere centre, but next to the main street with lots of public transportation, so it is still pretty dynamic. Each morning next to the hotel and along the main street cheap market place. General feeling around the hotel - quite and peaceful.

LOCATION - 7 minutes to central square of Trastevere by foot. Transportation to other touristic sites on the other bank of the river is confusing and not very comfortable. Tram will not get you far away and busses have 3 different stops on the main street, so we chose walking. It is 15 minutes to Campidoglio and Foro Romano, Pantheon might be 20-30 minutes by foot. Nearest subway stop that we used - Colloseo.

If you love Trastevere and its ambience, this hotel is a good choice. I have discovered a new very attractive district of Rome - between Piazza Barberini and Quitrinale (embassy district with cosy parks and less tourist crowds), so will stay next time there.
Enjoy the hotel!

My family and I have stayed at Relais Le Clarisse four times now in the last several years and find it the place we like to go back to when we are in Rome. Just having returned from six days at the Relais several weeks ago, Le Clarisse once again provided us with a great, comfortable and convenient base from which to explore Rome and its various neighborhoods. Also, its prices are reasonable for what it offers.

I have read some of the critical reviews some people have written recently about Relais Le Clarisse, and can only conclude that those people would have had to pay a lot more in some of Rome's pricier hotels to get what they wanted. Obviously, we agree more with the MANY positive reviews the Relais has gotten since it first opened.

What one gets there are rooms that are attractive and comfortable but also spacious compared to other hotels in Rome. More than that, one gets staff hospitality that is consistently warm, attentive and personal. As other people have mentioned and we agree, kudos go to Cristina, who makes breakfast delicious and friendly, and at the front desk Gloria and Giancarlo do everything possible to help you with your needs.