Review

A jewel of a B&B, dripping with romance in the heart of medieval Trastevere, atop an ancient Roman palazzo. Trek up the stone staircase to a family residence which has been transformed into six spacious, warm, richly coloured bedrooms, a large dining area and guest lounge.

Owner Marco, a self-confessed "chiacchiarone"  – or chatterbox - admits to being a traditionalist. He has decked the rooms with his family's antique furniture and silk bedspreads and has laid parquet flooring throughout. Guests share an abundant Italian breakfast of cold meats, cheese, bread, fruit and cakes, around the large dining room table.

Despite its central location – a stroll across the Tiber takes you to the Ghetto, Campo di Fiori and the Colosseum – the guesthouse is remarkably quiet and would suit hedonists wanting to retreat for some calm at the end of a busy day. The Appia room has a large, leafy terrace, ideal for a sunset cocktail and the Aurelia room has a small wooden staircase leading to a smaller shady patio. There's free internet and email in the communal parlour room.