AboutValerie S Expertise I can answer questions regarding travel around NM, including hotels, restaurants, sights and information about the New Mexico Pueblos. I live in the Albuquerque area and of course know a lot more about this city and environs, but can also answer questions about Santa Fe, Taos, national parks and culture.
Experience I have lived in NM for 19 years and have a deep love for our multi-ethnic culture. I have volunteered for the Albuquerque Convention and Vistor's Bureau. I have been involved in the travel industry for 7 years.
Education/Credentials BA History for University of New Mexico
Expert: Valerie S Date: 3/11/2003 Subject: lodging
Question I'm a single woman who needs to get away from it all for about a week to relax and destress. I'm looking for a small, comfortable, intimate inn (or B&B) where I can feel at home, walk into town for a cup of coffee, read a book in the shade, talk with nice folks, etc. If I find the right place, I'll have other questions about things to do. Thanks.
Answer Buongiorno Mary Ann,
What a wonderful place to relax and de-stress! You'll have a great time. There are a few places you may want to check out. Right near Piazza Navona is a very small B&B type inn, a "residenza" with only five rooms called Residenza San Pantaleo. It's only a block off the Piazza Navona, also near Campo dei Fiori and a short walk across the river to Trastevere, which is a great place for strolling, hanging out and enjoying the atmosphere. You can see the Residenza at www.residenzasanpantaleo.com.
A Casa di Serena is a B&B near the Vatican area, and looks very nice in a good locale. I'm sure the owner would be very helpful and friendly and the rates are very reasonable. www.acasadiserena.com
Also near the Vatican area is another residenza, Residenza dei Quiriti, with ten rooms, in a convenient location as it is close the St. Peter's and Castel Sant'Angelo, but also an easy walk across the river to the centro. The nice shopping street of via Cola di Rienzo is very close by. (At www.charmingrome.com)
In Trastevere there is the small and cute Villa della Fonte. Only five rooms, tucked away in a characteristic street in a fun area, with great pizzerias and trattorias nearby but close to the centro. (www.charmingrome.com)
Also in Trastevere is the Hotel Santa Maria, a very quaint place in a former convent and, a really nice feature is that they've retained the cloistured garden for sitting and relaxing. It would be a great place to sit and read, enjoy your breakfast, soak up some sun. (www.charmingrome.com or www.venere.it/roma).
And finally, for a really quiet and relaxed place, you may want to consider a convent stay. Very clean, safe and quiet, not to mention reasonably priced, this may be a nice option for you also. The drawback is that some (but not all) have curfews. You can see a listing of these at www.santasusanna.org. (Click on "coming to rome" and then on "convents".)
I hope this helps get you started in planning your trip. If you have other questions, feel free to let me know this week. I'll be leaving for Rome myself in a week though, so my status on the the AllExpert Network will be "On Vacation"! :)
