Via SS. Mario e Marta 27, Rome, Italy | (888) 708-2081
Superbly restored medieval property with original features
Set in picturesque Roman countryside
Pretty garden with panoramic country vistas
Two popular restaurants set in medieval surroundings
Shuttle service to and from Rome (for a fee)
Free Wi-Fi, breakfast, and parking
No pool, fitness, or spa facilities
Mosquitos can be a problem
Thin walls between rooms can mean noise
Part of a restored
medieval hamlet, the Relais Castrum Boccea is set in the middle of some truly picturesque
Italian countryside -- about an hour from Rome. It has 31 rooms and suites, and wood-beamed ceilings and stone archways predominate its decor. Some suites have hot tubs for two. Standard Rooms are simpler, although they still have entryways and sleeping areas are set off. Rates for these rooms are pretty low. Walls between rooms, though, are thin, and guests have complained about noise from their neighbors. There's two restaurants on the property, one focusing on Italian fare and the other on grilled meats and wines from its cellar, as well as a bar and breakfast room.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Restored medieval property with original features and panoramic views
Through a large
pair of pointed wrought-iron gates and along a leafy driveway visitors enter
the renovated and reconstructed medieval village now occupied by the Relais
Castrum Boccea. After many years of neglect, this ancient property had fallen into
ruin until it was rebuilt and restored in 2010 and opened as a
hotel. Much of the medieval structure has been retained, including the original
stone walls and hand-dug caves, while numerous period-style furnishings and antiques make up the decor. The ground-floor reception area has been
reconstructed in a medieval style, with arched ceilings, terra-cotta tiling,
and exposed wooden beams, while above it is a charming garden, with a lawn, trees, fountain, and covered seating, and views of the timeless Italian countryside.
Location
Surrounded by picturesque countryside, an hour outside Rome
The hotel is
located in the middle of the pretty Roman countryside about an hours' drive northwest of
Rome. The surroundings consist of fields, trails, and small wooded areas, and not much else, although there is a pizzeria within walking distance.
Local buses travel to Rome, but public transportation is not recommended -- it's best to use the hotel's
shuttle service (for a fee) to travel to and from the capital. Leonardo Da Vinci Internetional Airport is about a half-hour drive from the Relais.
Rooms
Quaint, country-style rooms -- though some have thin walls
Most of the 31
rooms are housed in quaint, terraced cottages with terra-cotta tiled roofs and similarly
toned stucco facades. Rooms are styled traditionally, with chintz fabrics, exposed brickwork, and rustic wooden furnishings. All units have air-conditioning, minibars, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs. Standard Rooms are the simplest, with simple wrought-iron bed frames. Suites step up luxury a bit with
flamboyant padded headboards, and antiques -- some have in-room hot tubs. Bathrooms have shower/tub combos, and hydro-massage showers. Given its location, road noise is almost nonexistent, but room walls are thin, and noise from other rooms can reach problem levels.
Features
Regionally inspired menu served in medieval surroundings or on a terrace when it's warm
The hotel's main
restaurant is La Taverna, where regional specialties are served under an ancient-style
arched ceiling or on an outdoor terrace. Its basement houses a natural
stone grotto wine cellar. La Taverna is popular with local residents, so it can get busy. A
buffet breakfast (included in the room rate) is served in the breakfast room and bar. While there's no pool, spa, or fitness facilities, the hotel can organize horseback riding or mountain biking excursions
in the immediate environs, as well as day trips to Rome. There's also a large
medieval hall that is used for meetings and events, as well as a large garden
with panoramic views that's a popular wedding venue.
