VOI Donna Camilla Savelli Hotel

Beautiful and a bit mysterious, the 99-room VOI Donna Camilla Savelli Hotel is a unique upscale option with deep cultural heritage. The hotel was converted from a 17th-century convent in 2008 and was designed by one of Rome’s leading Baroque architects, Francesco Borromini. Striking period features -- including high vaulted ceilings and iron-latched, heavy wood doors -- greet visitors on arrival, conveying tangible historical ambience. The rest of the convent is accentuated by austere murals, intricate Baroque sculpture, and an extravagant sense of space. It's all quite breathtaking, really.

The cloister wraps around a courtyard, now housing a stately Italian garden -- a popular spot for a peaceful breakfast that's also beautiful at night. While some may find the experience of staying in a nun’s original sleeping chambers a tad too eccentric, the rooms have a simple and elegant charm. Plenty of rooms with modern decor are also available, allowing ample flexibility to suit everyone’s tastes. The hotel accommodates primarily couples and occasional families from the U.S., France, and Germany, with more business guests visiting in winter. 

VOI Donna Camilla Savelli Hotel is located in trendy Trastevere, a few minutes’ walk to a plethora of local wining and dining options found throughout the neighborhood. Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, and Piazza Venezia are all roughly a 20-minute walk across the river, while Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Colosseum are about 30 minutes away on foot. Direct bus routes also reach these attractions, for those feeling less mobile. Both Fiumicino and Ciampino Airports are about a 30-minute drive from the hotel.

The 99 rooms are split into roughly two separate types: those converted from original nuns’ sleeping chambers, and those in a separate wing with more modern decor. All rooms come with modern comforts including pillow menus, well-stocked minibars, Handy phones with free international calls and 3G service, and air-conditioning, plus free safe access and free Wi-Fi. Keep in mind that electric kettles aren't available in entry-level rooms. Bathrooms vary in size, shape, and decor, but all are clean and modern, and some come with bathtubs. 

Classic Rooms have modern decor with romantic four-poster beds. Their location in a separate wing may be slightly less convenient, but access to the Lifestyle Lounge -- complete with daily free snacks -- is a perk. Superior Rooms -- in the main part of the hotel -- are converted from original nuns’ cells, with soothing earthy tones and views to either the street or an internal courtyard. Those looking for an authentic historical experience can opt for an Executive Room: nuns’ cells overlooking the garden, with marble bathrooms and preserved features including wood-beam ceilings and original furniture. Suites are the highest category room and feature separate living areas with Nespresso machines, fresh flowers, and different themed scent diffusers. 

Once serving as the cloister’s courtyard, the stately Italian garden is one of the hotel’s best assets. It’s a popular spot for a tranquil breakfast: a free buffet affair that includes plenty of hot options, as well as a vegan and gluten-free corner. The hotel also supplies heaters and blankets for cozy winter evenings outside, and the nearby bar serves drinks as well as a full lunch and dinner menu. There’s access to the rooftop terrace until midnight, but no accompanying bar service: guests must bring their drinks themselves, but it’s more than worth it for the fantastic panoramic views. The hotel has a handful of meeting rooms and event spaces with plenty of character: the mysterious Borromini Room, complete with original terra-cotta floors and sculpted wood ceilings, was once the nuns’ dining hall. There’s also a stunning Roman cave beneath the hotel dating back to the second century, now used to host events in an extraordinarily atmospheric setting. Paid private parking is available in the front courtyard, and there’s free Wi-Fi throughout. The front desk is staffed around the clock.