Hotel Ripa Roma

The Worldhotel Ripa Roma is often described by guests as stuck in a time warp of '80s design. Its exterior is condominium-like on a street with similarly designed buildings. The all-glass entry leads to a chilly lobby with a soaring atrium ceiling and spare, red sofas and silver-armed velvet chairs. Colorful, contemporary art adorns the walls throughout, while a painted Vespa scooter takes center stage in the lobby. Ripa Place, the on-site restaurant, is a chic spot with dusky-colored walls and low lighting, while the hotel's breakfast room, White Space, is an all-white room brightly lit by large windows. Overall, this design-forward property attracts a crowd of tourists and business travelers interested in modern surroundings at a good price, even if they are somewhat distant from central Rome.

Trastevere, west of the Tiber and south of the Vatican, is a neighborhood of cobbled streets, ancient homes, and government buildings, like the Ministry of Education. Worldhotel Ripa Roma, while not in the prettiest section, is a short walk from more aesthetically pleasing streets. There are tram lines and bus stops within a two-minute walk of the hotel, but the nearest metro stop is about a 20-minute walk away. It is an 11-minute walk to Piazza di Santa Maria, home to a basilica and what is thought to be Rome's oldest fountain. The American University of Rome is a 15-minute walk, while the American Academy in Rome, a research and arts institution on Janiculum Hill, is 20 minutes on foot. Most top attractions are not within walking distance, but are a short drive away or can be reached via public transportation, including the Colosseum (10-minute drive or 30 minutes via public transportation), the Pantheon (12-minute drive or 16 minutes via public transportation), the Vatican (15-minute drive or 30 minutes via public transportation), and the Spanish Steps (15-minute drive or 40 minutes via public transportation). Termini Station, Rome's main train station, is a 16-minute drive from the hotel or about 25 minutes via bus. Leonardo da Vinci International Airport is a 30-minute drive from here, while Ciampino Airport is about 40 minutes away.

Rooms at the Worldhotel Ripa Roma are spacious and bright with all-white palettes punctuated by slate gray walls as well as pops of jewel tones, such as a red leather headboard or a green area rug. Guests often describe the rooms as efficient and comfortable, but chilly and a bit clinical. The ceilings in part of the rooms may swoop down, forming a pod-like, futuristic space, and the furnishings are oversized and curved. Some lighting fixtures look like large, wall-mounted suction cups. Quirkiness reigns. All rooms have air conditioners, flat-screen TVs, minibars with snacks by Eataly, safes, and tea- and coffee-making facilities, while Family Suites add PlayStations or Nintendo Wii Minis. 

Many of the rooms have balconies and several of the suites have private terraces pleasantly furnished with tables and chairs. Some also have kitchens. The bathrooms sometimes have black walls that can feel either gloomy or gothic cool, as well as white porcelain sinks set into wooden counters and walk-in rainfall showers or shower/tub combos (some suites have jetted tubs). Toiletries are in snazzy neon packaging. Guests booking online receive a welcome kit with snacks and gadgets. 

Worldhotel Ripa Roma has a surprisingly broad range of amenities catering to all guests from business travelers to families with young children. The hotel has a restaurant, Ripa Place, serving Roman fare in a stylish setting, and there's a breakfast lounge as well where an American breakfast buffet is served daily. Room service is available for limited hours. Guests who book their stay directly through the hotel's website receive perks like free breakfast, a welcome kit of treats and gadgets, and discounts at the on-site restaurant. The hotel has a tiny fitness room that offers limited equipment, including a treadmill, stationary bike, elliptical machine, and some free weights; guests can access a larger gym for an extra fee. Business travelers are well catered for with five meeting rooms and a conference room with audio-visual equipment, plus Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel (though guests report it's slow). The hotel also caters to families by renting strollers and loaning bottle warmers and changing tables upon request. There's also an emergency diaper supply and books to borrow. The front desk, staffed 24-hours, can arrange rental cars and tours, as well as bicycle rentals. Luggage storage is free, and laundry and dry cleaning can be done for a fee. There is self-parking in an attached garage for a fee. The hotel allows small pets for a fee.