http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29020 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29020 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25622 We loved the location. Quiet, yet easily walkable to the Via Veneto, the Spanish Steps and Metro.
The meal and view from the Mirabelle Terrace restaurant was delicious and breathtaking (if quite pricey)
We highly recommend this property and will be sure to return.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25622 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24698 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24698 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24408
Travelling so much I hate leaving my dog at home, and they even accommodated him too, which I think was a very special treat :)

What really struck me upon entering is the sheer elegance, and the whole feeling of being transported to another century, with all the modern comforts I've gotten used to of course. And of course the central location was fabulous since I try to avoid public transport when I have to and this let me do so, while still being well connected enough that I wasn't obliged to walk everywhere (yes, you wonder if I can afford a five-star luxury hotel why not a taxi? I hate traffic and genuinely like to walk... so my dog is a good travel companion!).

People often knock the area around Termini, but it can be fabulous if you know where to go, and hopefully now some of you know :)]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24408 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23753
The hotel itself is really unique. While most places can be kind of bland and lack personality, or maybe maintain a kind of centuries-ago antique elegance that can be imposing or stuffy when it's all you see, Ripa has a sleek, almost futuristic vibe to it. Simple and minimalistic, yet possessing an understated elegance all its own, it's almost reminiscent of A Clockwork Orange and has true character.

All this at an affordable price with friendly staff, ready to help guests in any way and arrange any service one needs, Ripa is a true find!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23753 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23396 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23396 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21403 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21403 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21356
Less than a 10-minute walk from the city centre's main arrival point, the Termini station, Hostel des Artistes is located in an old apartment building on a quiet backstreet. It isn't luxury, but it is extremely cheap, and for your money you get security, good standards of cleanliness, impressively large bathrooms, and a lovely roof terrace.

It may not be in the Centro Storico but its transport connections are fantastic - you can get to almost anywhere in the Eternal city easily by bus or metro from the nearby Termini. There are also a handful of cheap eateries and minimarkets nearby for bargain breakfasts, pastries, or to make a packed lunch.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21356 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21213 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21213 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21035
The private bedrooms have elegant high ceilings and long glass windows and drapes and the bathrooms are decked out in very modern black tiles and white units. The staff are always very helpful and the location is convenient, being close enough to the city center and just around the corner from the main train station. It’s a brilliant place to stay when trying to save money on your trip.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21035 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20970 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20970 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20920 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20920 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20744
You get a feeling of living in an aristocratic duke's house. The breakfast selection was unbelievable (cereals, yoghurt, fruit, bread, sweets and more) and most of all the quality was top-notch. It's in the city centre, and a two-minute walk brings you right to Piazza Navona. The owners are extremely friendly and helpful.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20744 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20427 They gave us priceless information on how to avoid the queues - go to the Vatican Museum in the afternoon. Every piece of research stated that we needed to arrive early or wait in line. We took the advice and went to the basilica first and arrived at the museum at 1.30pm. We walked in without a queue. Brilliant! To think we almost avoided the Sistine Chapel due to the horrible queues.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20427 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19823 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19823 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19373 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19373 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19202 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19202 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18877
It's set a couple of stops on the metro away from the city centre, in a smart suburb near a couple of excellent (and well priced) restaurants. Out back there's a lovely garden (with fruit trees and vines), perfect for lounging around in on warm summer evenings...

But what really makes it special is the people who run it. Fabrizio is a giant of a man, who literally pressgangs his guests into sharing his food and wine (or grappa), and insists on giving them detailed instructions for how to get the best out of his beloved city. Special guy, special place.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18877 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17769 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17769 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17624 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17624