Casa Fabbrini Boutique B&B

Casa Fabbrini is easily one of the best boutique properties in the lively Campo Marzio district. While the streets just one block away are flooded with tourists and luxury shoppers, the dead-end alleyway on which the hotel sits sees barely any foot traffic and makes for a picturesque first impression. That only continues once you step inside the hotel, where narrow stone hallways are punctuated here and there by antique-chic decor -- from the reception area to the open communal kitchen and living space upstairs. It's a cliche in the hotel world to call a place homey, but Casa Fabbrini delivers on that assessment, as the managers are constantly buzzing around the hotel and insist that guests treat it like they would their own home in Rome. The kitchen receives most of their attention, and the scent of homemade cakes fills the hotel all day long. This is the kind of place that feels private and hidden away. That's no easy feat in touristy, busy Rome — and Casa Fabbrini manages it with charm and style.

Casa Fabbrini's location helps make it a good value for central Rome. It's only a five-minute walk from major destinations like the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo. However, the hotel sits along a scenic dead-end alleyway that's off of lively Via Vittoria, and there are no major businesses or cafes along the block. This is a blessing in a city where trying to sleep can be a challenge due to constant noise from traffic and revelers. The surrounding district -- Campo Marzio -- is packed with luxury shops, boutiques, and cafes, and is one of our favorites in Rome's touristy center. It takes around 15 minutes to reach posh Prati on foot, and just a touch longer to scenic Castel Sant'Angello. The Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona are both under 15 minutes away on foot, as is Villa Borghese. The closest metro station is at Spagna, five minutes away on foot. Expect it to take about an hour to reach Fiumicino Airport by metro and train, or 45 minutes by taxi.

There are only four rooms at this hotel, and all have a sharp and simple look that comes from the combination of antiqued details plus contemporary accents. Expect to see choices like reclaimed doors used as headboards, pops of vibrant turquoise, and even hardware repurposed into things like lamps. It's just quirky enough, but still suitable to a wide spread of travelers' design tastes. All four rooms are relatively compact, given the hotel's historic nature, and you will hear a bit of noise from people walking in the hallways (or maybe struggling with the charming, but sometimes challenging, Old World locks on the doors). Even so, the area outside is silent at night and the memory foam beds were easily some of the most comfortable we encountered on our 2018 visit to Rome. Other features include wardrobes, flat-screen TVs, safes, powerful air-conditioning, and en-suite bathrooms with organic toiletries, rainfall showers, and towel warmers. Some rooms have small balconies that are a great spot for your morning coffee, which is available in the communal kitchen around the clock.

As a boutique bed-and-breakfast, features here aren't too numerous -- though honestly even some so-called luxury hotels in Rome offer few extras to their guests. That makes what is on offer at Casa Fabbrini special, with most of the attention centering on keeping guests' full and happy. All day long, you're likely to smell cakes and cookies being baked in the kitchen on the second floor. These are laid out day and night, and you'll also find coffee, tea, and fruit around the clock in the kitchen. In the morning, the same team is busy preparing the generous continental breakfast, which includes those same cakes plus fruit, hard-boiled eggs, meats, cheeses, and vegetables, plus plenty of breads and made-to-order requests. The meal is served at a communal table, and you should expect a bit of easy socializing. Across from the kitchen is the open living area, which looks lifted straight out of an upscale home-design magazine. Keep in mind that check-in times are limited to a specific set of hours, with fees if you need to arrive later at night. Wi-Fi is free at the hotel.