Ripa Hotel is a specimen of that still-rare but slowly proliferating breed, the modern high-design Italian hotel. For a nation on the cutting edge of fashion, Italy's tastes in hotels have been a bit stuffy, if not downright old-fashioned. But why, with the Vatican and the Colosseum just a few minutes away, would we need gold leaf and baroque fabrics in our hotel rooms? Who needs a suite full of kitschy imitation antiquities with the real thing just outside?
This place is the opposite of the standard Italian hotel. Perhaps not by coincidence, it is not the property we recommend for a romantic weekend. The design is ultra-minimalist, all white walls, with daring details - mostly in burgundy and red, like the cushions in the lobby, which resemble nothing so much as overgrown red blood cells. The rooms are designed to make the most of the allotted space - many of the beds are free-standing, away from the walls, with oversized headboards partitioning the rooms, or serving as makeshift dressing areas.
There is something of a family resemblance to Ripa's more upscale sister, the five-star Es Hotel. Ripa may be a bit more minimal, even industrial, but it is by no means short on services. There is a Mediterranean restaurant, the Riparte Caf�, as well as a personal trainer, a massage service, and extensive conference facilities. The surrounding district, the Trastevere, is one of Rome's oldest and most historical, and the city center is ten minutes away by tram. This is the perfect place to escape from the over-ornate tourist traps and the American-style business hotels, without spending a fortune.

170 modern suites designed to optimize space, light and comfort.

Executive
Deluxe
Junior
Presidential