Hotel Le Clarisse al Pantheon

Hotel Le Clarisse al Pantheon has the cozy feel of a private residence. This 17th-century hotel features shuttered windows that open onto the cobblestone streets frequented by street performers and tourists ambling to the nearby Pantheon. Housed in a 17th-century building, the hotel opened in 2011 and many of its Old-World details -- antique floors and exposed wooden beams -- were preserved. A vaulted entrance leads to the hotel’s marble staircase, which wraps around a tiny elevator and leads to the reception area. This five-floor, mixed-use building also houses private residences and offices. The hotel is arranged over three floors with black polka-dot wallpaper and wooden details that create a nice setting at the front desk. There's also a tiled courtyard with bistro tables and chairs surrounded by potted flowers. Most guests are tourists and predominately couples on a romantic getaway. 

The hotel is located a four-minute walk from the Pantheon in an area with plenty of shops, restaurants, gelato parlors, and bistros. The Largo di Torre Argentina, with the remains of the Theatre of Pompey, is within three minutes on foot and the flower vendors at the Campo de Fiori’s are five minutes away. The Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps are all around 10 minutes away on foot, while walking to the Colosseum takes closer to 20 minutes. The drive to both the Ciampino Airport and Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport takes half an hour.

Rooms exude a cozy and traditional Italian vibe thanks to metal bed frames, high ceilings, and tall shuttered windows, many of which overlook the historic streets. Old-World details such as exposed wooden beams or brick ceilings and Italian tiles add character. But some details can feel too old-fashioned and cross the line into looking dated, such as the beige quilted bedspreads. And despite the size of the windows, not a lot of natural light reaches the rooms. All rooms have 27-inch flat-screen TVs mounted on the walls, tea- and coffee-making facilities, minibars, and safes. Attractive stone tile bathrooms feature showers, heated towel racks, and bidets. All but the Economy Double Rooms, the smallest option, come with free breakfast. Classic Double Rooms are the second smallest category, followed by Superior Double Rooms, which have great views of the Via dell’Arco della Ciambella or ancient palace cloister. Jacuzzi Double Rooms feature whirlpool tubs, while the Family Suite has multiple beds, a sitting area by a decorative fireplace, and Pantheon dome views. The hotel offers a single two-bedroom Apartment, ideal for families or small groups. It feels like a charming Italian cottage with a separate kitchen. In the spring of 2015, the hotel made insulation improvements to rooms, so guests typically don’t complain about street noises.

Hotel Le Clarisse al Pantheon has a fair amount of amenities for a little, mid-range hotel, but they're not all in the same building. Adjacent to the hotel’s entrance is its American bar and restaurant, La Ciambella. Breakfast is served here in the morning; the restaurant also offers Neapolitan-style pizzas and afternoon tea. The space has a skylight and alcoves under archways that lead to the bar, which features wooden ceilings and wine crates used as shelving. There are the basic services here that most small hotels offer, including luggage storage, airport transfers, and free Wi-Fi. There's also a guest computer and printer in the lobby. Pets are allowed in rooms for a fee with water bowls, and doggy beds are also provided.