Its tranquil and romantic position on the leafy Aventine hill makes the Hotel San Anselmo one of the perfect hotels in Rome for a mellow refuge rather than a place for a high-octane party weekend. Rooms are ostentatiously styled with dramatic four-poster beds and decadent touches such as free-standing baths in some, although at times the décor feels a little naïve. A recent refurbishment has seen the addition of a huge column of Swarovski crystals in the stairwell, casting fragments of rainbows onto the chintzy sofas. In summer the relaxing terrace, with its idyllic views of the 5th-century churches San Anselmo and Santa Sabina next door, is a pleasant spot.