"How did it strike you on arrival?It’s the private garden, peppered with trees, that catches your eye first—drawing you towards a sleek, modern lobby with high ceilings, manned by smiling staff. The building itself is a former convent, and there are two marble ancient horse statues in the lobby, just to get you in the Roman holiday mood. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.Classic Doubles are light-hued and modern, with neutral furnishings, an oak wardrobe and matching drawers. The carpet could be a bit newer, and fabric on the bedhead could do with an update soon. But rooms are clean and comfortable—a rare commodity among some of Rome’s four-star hotels—and for the price it’s definitely good value. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.The bath products are by Penhaligon’s from the U.K. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?Wi-Fi is free, but sketchy, so you’d be better off using the 3G on your phone. Room service: Worth it?At €13, the grilled turkey with steamed vegetables is a steal; we’d pair it with a side of fennel, orange and olive salad (€12). Staff: If you could award one a trophy, who gets it, and why?All the staff are wonderful, especially Vera, who is eternally cheerful and kind, keen to make your stay in Rome the best it can be. What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?The air conditioning doesn’t always work, and the rooms tend to get quite warm, especially from April onwards. There’s no tea or coffee in the room, which is a shame, because you don’t always want to go down to the front desk for a caffeine fix. And, overall, the rooms could do with an update, especially given the bright new generation of hotels currently opening up around the city. Bottom line: worth it, and why?Residence di Ripetta is a decent four-star property, and while the design and decor is nothing to write home about, it does the job in providing a comfortable and clean place to stay." - Maresa Manara
