San Anselmo - Rome, Italy     

This hotel is at the top of one of the low hills of the former ancient Rome, no public transport to the front door. It is 15 minutes or so uphill walk from the Metro at Circo Maximo, 20 more steeply from the Pyramid side. The Vatican is 50 minutes or so by underground (1 euro) so everywhere is handy. If you are of mature years like me and the hill has to be faced it can be offputting. Taxi fares up and down would be prohibitive. The Hotel is a former stylish villa surrounded by others and church buildings. The area is verdant, attractive and peaceful.The gulls, ravens and swallows abound and wake you up.The staff are immaculately correct and polite.Breakfast whilst excellent makes no concessions to Anglo Saxons or Americans My guess is that the Hotel was refurbished four or five years ago by a brilliant designer who had more than a touch of eccentricity a la Salvador Dali about him and whose work is pleasant and occasionally pleasantly bizarre. The "distressing" to our "antique" bedside table was just gaining credibility so some items are ready for a refurb.Access to the bathtub would be awkward for the disabled in our room. The patio and graden are not that big, right up to the party fence but well shielded with greenery. The local restaurants are very ethnic and not at all international. It is possible even to be left with bottles of Grappo and others as "freebees: It is, in short, an experience not to be missed!