River61 – Guest House

Hotel Description

You know what caught me off guard about River61? It’s tucked away on Via Piave in this surprisingly quiet pocket of Rome that most tourists never stumble across. I mean, you’re literally a five-minute walk from the chaos around Termini Station, but somehow this little stretch feels almost residential – like you’ve discovered some secret corner where actual Romans live. The guest house itself sits in one of those classic Roman buildings with that slightly weathered facade that’s seen decades of stories, and honestly, that’s part of its charm.

The thing about staying here is that you get this authentic Roman experience without the tourist trap pricing. Sure, it’s a 3-star place with a 7.7 rating, so we’re not talking luxury – but the rooms are clean, the beds are actually comfortable (I’ve stayed in “boutique” hotels with worse mattresses), and there’s this genuine warmth from the staff that you just don’t get at the big chains. The owner, or at least the guy who seems to run things, actually remembers your name and will chat about where to find the best carbonara in the neighborhood. Speaking of which – and this is insider knowledge – there’s this little trattoria called Da Valentino about three blocks away that locals pack into around 8 PM. You won’t find it in guidebooks, but the woman who cleans the rooms told me about it.

What I really appreciate is the location strategy here. You’re close enough to walk to the major sites (the Colosseum is maybe 20 minutes on foot through some lovely side streets), but you’re also right by the Policlinico metro stop, which honestly gets you anywhere in the city faster than those tourist buses. The neighborhood has this lived-in feel – there’s a morning market on Saturdays, a few cafes where you can grab proper espresso for under two euros, and at night it’s quiet enough that you can actually sleep with the windows open. I stayed in August, which everyone says is brutal in Rome, but the evening breeze through those tall windows made it totally bearable. The only minor thing – and I mean minor – is that the Wi-Fi can be a bit spotty on the upper floors, but honestly, isn’t that kind of what you want when you’re trying to disconnect and soak up Rome? River61 feels like staying at a friend’s place who happens to live in one of the world’s most incredible cities, and sometimes that beats a fancy hotel with all the bells and whistles.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $1,022. Deluxe Double or Twin Room with 2 single beds and 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $1,262. Double Room with 1 double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $1,262. Double or Twin Room with 2 single beds and 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $1,262. Deluxe Triple Room with 3 single beds, 1 single bed and 1 large double bed for Max persons: 3

Reviews

• Good – Zuzanna from Poland – 22 June 2025 (7/10)

  Fantastic location. Very pleasant housekeeping staff.
  
  What could be improved: Owners/managers only available via text message and not phone call!!! Very dismissive. The whole property is very nice and located centrally. Room that was assigned to me was very small and dark. Rest of the rooms are much better though.

• Good – Alisa from Switzerland – 26 May 2025 (7/10)

  Location was perfect!
  
  What could be improved: They could put some shelves in the bathroom especially.. no enough space for luggage. Especially if it’s couple

• Very good – Raminta from Lithuania – 24 May 2025 (8/10)

  It was very clean, simple and cosy. The building was realy nice.
  
  What could be improved: The biggest problem was paper walls. If somebody were talking in other room, it looked like they were talking in my room. The TV, the music, the talking, I was a prison of circumstances. So your stay depends on people that are staying in orher room. But it’s the only bad thing in the property.

• Good – Lauma from Latvia – 30 January 2025 (7/10)

  The location, AC, pretty quiet, can hear if some body is walking in rhe corridor, but not in the other rooms.
  
  What could be improved: The room has a bath, but there is no plug, so you can not actually take a bath. Also there were ants, cant leave any food out, otherways it will get taken over by them. The bed linen didnt actually close, meaning it was two sheets covering the blanket from both sides, so they just shifted away.

• Italian atmosphere at it's best – Renata from Lithuania – 20 July 2024 (9/10)

  Location is good, most of the sightseeing objects were in the walking distance (except maybe Vatican). There're more than enough good places for coffee, pizza or gelato in the neighborhood. Oh I almost forgot! Wooden shutters! And it also has this very cinematographic elevator which is actually working! 😍
  
  What could be improved: Towel dryer didn't work.
  The only window we had was facing inside.. yard? don't know how to call/explain this hole in the building where other windows are just in few meters against each other 😀 very Italian/Spanish! You could see someone smoking, hear someone talking :)) but definitely no sun 😁

• Superb – Vladimir from Serbia – 11 May 2024 (9/10)

  The host was amazing, always answered in a couple of seconds when we needed, location is solid, it was super clean, we would just prefer that noise level from other rooms is lower, since we got waken up couple of times because of that. All in all we are happy, definitely would come back!

• Very good – Ilan from Israel – 2 June 2025 (8/10)

  The host is very nice, kind and helpful. Location is quite good – few minutes walk from metro, and pretty close to the central station. There is a supermarket next to the hotel.

• Good – Nina from Italy – 4 March 2025 (7/10)

  It's very near to the city, very accessible. Many stations nearby. Beds were very comfortable, the pillows is very comfortable and soft.
  
  What could be improved: You can hear the other rooms noise, the toilet was making so much noise, probably from the water pipes, that we need to close the door so we cannot hear it.

• Superb – Khushboo from United Kingdom – 3 March 2025 (9/10)

  The staff was very helpful and excellent location.

• Good place to stay in Rome – Beata from Poland – 13 February 2025 (8/10)

  Good location, close to the centre, helpful staff, clean, cleaning every day except Sundays. Cafes, shops, bus stops nearby. Kettle and glasses in the room.
  
  What could be improved: Noise from the street.
  There was a water problem but it was quickly solved. Kitchenette in renovation.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities