Occupying the first floor of a 16th-century residential building, this Charmsuite location is one of five country-wide -- all of which are named for famous artists or architects. Here the works of Renaissance wunderkind Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, better known as Raphael, provide a starting point for the decorating scheme. For instance, in the reception area (the property’s only common space) an elaborately-carved ceiling and pieces of antique furniture evoke his era, while reproductions of Raphael’s paintings and books about his life reinforce the theme. Although the room is an impressive one, the same can’t be said of the route in to it: one that takes you along the building’s narrow main hallway, past the messy mailboxes of regular apartment dwellers and into a little elevator that carries guests up from street level. 

Facing a pedestrian area by the Tiber and within a five-minute stroll of both the St. Angelo and Vittorio Emanuele II Bridges, this Raffaello outpost makes a strategic home base for sightseers. But the surrounding streets can be busy ones in terms of traffic; moreover, the building’s bustling bottom floor is home to a restaurant, a pizzeria, and a gelato shop. Nevertheless, the location is unquestionably convenient. Plus there’s a bus stop right across from it, and a pair of metro stations (Ottaviano and Lepanto) lie within a 20-minute walk. In the same amount of time, however, you can hoof it directly to touristic highlights like the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican Museums and the Spanish Steps; ditto for the shops of Via del Corso. Piazza Navona, Campo de' Fiori and St. Peter's Basilica, meanwhile, can be reached in under 15 minutes. If you insist on driving, secure paid parking is available at a garage located a block away.

• Three-minute walk to Castel Sant'Angelo 
• Eight-minute walk to Piazza Navona 
• Nine-minute walk to Campo de' Fiori 
• 12-minute walk to St. Peter's Basilica 
• 20-minute walk to the Trevi Fountain
• 20-minute walk to Piazza di Spagna 
• 22-minute walk to the Vatican Museums
• 20 minutes to the Forum by public transport 
• 20 minutes to the Colosseum by public transport
• 24 minutes to Rome Termini Train Station by public transport
• 64 minutes to Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport by public transport (34-minute drive) 
• 75 minutes to Rome Ciampino Airport by public transport (37-minute drive)

The property’s five individually decorated suites, each named for a painting by Raphael, mix original period details such as plaster-slathered walls and ornate coffered ceilings or exposed beams with modern amenities like air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs picking up international channels. Antique furnishings, similarly, are placed alongside contrasting contemporary pieces to complete the old-meets-new mood. All have bathrooms with rainfall showers, chromo-therapy lights and wall-mounted toiletries. Kitchenettes are also standard. These conveniently come with minibars and stove tops, but limited counter space and kitchenware make them more suitable for preparing breakfast or a light lunch rather than a full-on Italian feast. Note that the larger Senator Suites, measuring 484-square feet, add a seating area with a sofa bed; these, however, are positioned against a partial wall behind the bed, so the layout isn’t ideal. Their improved view is a mixed blessing, too, since looking out on the Banco Santo Spirito pedestrian area (as opposed to the courtyard) raises the potential for street noise. 

Charmsuite Roma Raffaello shines when it comes to atmosphere and location, but this guesthouse doesn't offer much in the way of features. Free Wi-Fi and daily housekeeping are offered, and an airport car service is available for an extra charge. There's no on-site dining or drinks on offer, but thankfully there are several spots to choose from on the street below and many more in the adjacent area.