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Donna Camilla Savelli
LIFESTYLE VOI DONNA CAMILLA SAVELLI HOTEL sits at the foot of the Gianicolo Hill in Rome’s Trastevere (“beyond the Tiber”) neighborhood. Originally designed by Francesco Borromini as a convent at the end of the seventeenth century, it’s a jewel of the Baroque, with vaulted ceilings, colorful frescoes, travertine marble stairwells, and checkered-pattern black and white flagstone floors—there’s even a beautiful little shrine at the top of the second floor that is dedicated to Our Lady. The rooms and suites are equally elegant, outfitted in Old World Italian style, and they are spacious to boot. Each one features room to stretch out and relax, large windows to let in the light and the breeze, and full baths with tubs and showers. The heart of the building is a central cloister with a lush garden, fountain, and citrus trees. Equally scenic is the rooftop terrace, with its bird’s eye views of the surrounding neighborhood, including the Campo de Fiori, Piazza Navona, and the Tiber, as well as the many piazzas, winding streets, shops, and restaurants that mark this section of the Eternal City. Vatican City, the Jewish Ghetto, and the Villa Farnesina, with its Raphael frescos, are all a short walk away.
There is also a tram stop right around the corner that will take to you the Roman Forums and Colosseum. If you need a break from sightseeing, unwind in either the garden or in the reading room, which is outfitted with snacks, drinks, and magazines. Make sure to visit the basilica attached to the property, where you’ll tour a Roman cave that dates back to the first century. Your stay includes a complimentary daily breakfast buffet of hot and cold dishes, fruits, breads, and pastries—there is even a selection of vegan items. An a la carte menu is available for lunch and dinner at Bar Bistrot, which focuses on classic Roman and Italian dishes. Enjoy any of your meals either outside in the flower garden, in the courtyard with its bubbling fountain, or inside the dining hall, with its bright white walls, checkered floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and Renaissance mural over the arched entrance.