The Spanish Steps, Piazza di Spagna, at night is something to experience.
BySherry Laskin Italy

Elegant Bed and Breakfast in the Heart of Rome at the Spanish Steps

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That's the door in the corner to Anna Manieri's Bed and Breakfast in Rome.

When my friend told me that his aunt owned a bed and breakfast in Rome, this was not what I imagined. This elegant Bed and Breakfast in the heart of Rome welcomes tourists and celebrities.

Last year before I left for Italy, I did some online research to locate this elusive bed and breakfast. Known only as Anna Manieri’s Bed and Breakfast, it’s one of those places that doesn’t advertise and is found by word of mouth.

I sent an introduction email to Anna but it bounced back. I couldn’t find a current email address. With what I hoped was an accurate street address, I was determined to locate Anna and her B & B somewhere near the Spanish Steps in Rome.

My post-cruise night in Rome was spent at a bland, non-descript hotel arranged by the cruise line. I woke early, grabbed a coffee and a light breakfast, and with the address for Anna in my pocket, I headed out to find her.

Dodging cool raindrops of an early October drizzle, I made it up the hill to find myself at the top of the Spanish Steps. I had no clue how I got there.

It has to be here someplace.
I walked past the iconic Hotel Hassler and across the piazza. I asked several nearby shop owners where I could find the Manieri Bed and Breakfast. The fourth person I asked pointed to his right and said in English, “There.”

Since it isn't the easiest front door to find, here's what to look for at the top of Piazza dei Monti.
Since it isn’t the easiest front door to find, here’s what to look for at the top of Piazza dei Monti.

I was about to ring the brass bell when an aproned woman with two bags of garbage opened the door. I asked her if this was the Manieri bed and breakfast. She motioned inside and pointed towards downstairs. I went in.

Enter through the big wooden door and it's like stepping into a another era. The Bed and Breakfast is one flight down the marble steps.
Enter through the big wooden door and it’s like stepping into a another era. The Bed and Breakfast is one flight down the spiral marble steps.

When I reached the bottom and knocked on the door, a spry, impeccably dressed woman answered. “Hi,” I said, a bit nervous at the thought of yet another person who didn’t speak English. “Are you Anna Manieri?” “Yes,” she answered in perfect American-accented English, “I’m Anna. Come in.” Anna was from Philly.

Here's Anna Manieri; owner, innkeeper, cook and still a fashionista.
Here’s Anna Manieri; owner, innkeeper, cook and still a fashionista.

Over freshly brewed coffee and cookies, I explained that I was friends with her niece and nephew in Florida. Anna told me a little about her life including how she (American of Italian descent) and her husband (Italian) met in Italy when she was on vacation. She’s lived in this villa for more than 40 years.

My visiting time was limited due to my early afternoon train back to Torino. Anna gave me a quick tour of her Villa (yes, it’s actually considered a villa by Italian standards) which included four or five guest rooms, the lounge/living room, dining area and her private living section of the house.

My single room with private bath was perfect for a few nights. There's a large window just behind the drapes next to the bed.
My single room with private bath was perfect for a few nights. There’s a very large window just behind the drapes next to the bed.

The four other much-larger guest rooms were occupied so I couldn’t get photos.

There's a very large and comfortable living room for guests to use and includes free wifi.
There’s a very large and comfortable living room for guests to use and includes free wifi.

This was exactly where I wanted to stay when I returned to Rome after next week’s Rhine River cruise. A single room was available.

Ten days later I arrived into Rome’s Termini station at 8pm. Luckily, the taxi ride from Termini to Anna’s is only 5-10 minutes. She greeted me with some Italian candies and a bottle of water. Much appreciated after 10 hours of train travel.

After a chat, and settling in to my room, I went out to see Rome. The famous Spanish Steps get quite cozy at night when the tourist mobs are gone.

The Spanish Steps, Piazza di Spagna, at night is something to experience.
The Spanish Steps, Piazza di Spagna, at night is something to experience.

Mostly American kids were sitting on the steps nearest to me, one of whom had a guitar. He started to play and soon everyone was singing the Eagles’, “Hotel California.” Harmony and all. Definitely a travel moment.

Grudgingly, I headed back to Anna’s. Everyone receives a key to the two front doors and their own room, so you can return whenever.

Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon were on my early morning to-do list. But not before the other guests and I were treated to a delicious breakfast, with fresh baked rolls and breads and eggs cooked to order.

Anna prepares an extensive hot and cold sit-down breakfast for her guests. It's no small feast!
Anna prepares an extensive hot and cold sit-down breakfast for her guests. It’s no small feast!

After breakfast, Anna showed me the short cut from her place to Trevi and beyond. Instead of walking up the spiral marble stairwell, I walked down two flights, exited from another gladiator-style wooden door and out into the Roman sunshine.

Short cut out the other exit and you can bypass the tourists on the Spanish Steps.
Short cut out the other exit and you can bypass the tourists on the Spanish Steps.

Back to Anna’s place to collect my luggage, I took the tourist route and walked up the 135 steps, from Piazza di Spagna to Piazza dei Monti at the top.

Standing at the bottom of the Spanish Steps and looking up at the church, Manieri's Bed and Breakfast is just to the right side of the church, on the piazza.
Standing at the bottom of the Spanish Steps and looking up at the church, Manieri’s Bed and Breakfast is just to the right side of the church, behind the trees, on the upper piazza.

Time for goodbyes, we hugged and promised to keep in touch. I’ll be staying there again this fall.

If you’d like to stay at Anna Manieri’s Bed and Breakfast in Rome, you can send an email to: [email protected].


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7 Comments

  1. Hi Jerilyn,
    Thank you so much for your follow-up comment. Anna’s place is incredible. Where Anna gets her energy, I’ll never know!
    Sherry

  2. We stayed at Anna’s beautiful Bed and Breakfast for four days last Fall before our Mediterranean cruise. It was spectacular and exactly as you’ve described it. Anna is a perfect hostess, breakfasts were wonderful. Her B and B is magnificent! Location perfect. I would recommend very highly!

  3. Hi Mary, Wow…thank you so much for taking the time to write such a nice comment. Anna’s home and adjoining rooms are totally elegant, as you described them. And her breakfasts are excellent, too! I hope you get a chance to return someday. I’ll let Anna know about your comment as I’m sure she’d be thrilled to read it.
    Sherry

  4. Wonderfully accurate presentation of Anna Manieri’s Bed & Breakfast establishment…. My husband and I found this ‘gem’ accommodation, by chance a number of years’ ago when Anna had only a couple of rooms for rent….even then the elegant flare was clearly depicted and of course this continued when more rooms became available. Staying at Anna’s is like being at the home of an elegant relative. There is an unimposing warmth that radiates from this lovely lady….

    Highly recommend a stay at Anna’s rather than any other establishment in this sought-after area, The Spanish Steps….

  5. Buenos días soy de Argentina y hace un tiempo recorrí Roma y descubrí su lugar… quisiera volver a Roma y hospedarse allí…. me podrá decir los valores. Muchas gracias.
    Lucas

  6. Hi Renee,

    Thanks for reading the article. Unfortunately, I don’t have a clue what the rates are at the Bed & Breakfast. The best way to find out is to send an email to: [email protected]. The owner is traveling at the moment and will reply to you by next week. The place is fantastic as is the owner/manager, Anna.

    You might mention that you read about it on CruiseMaven.com – thanks!

    Best,

    Sherry

  7. Hi Sherry. I love the website. Would you be able to tell me the approx. rate for the Bed & Breakfast? Thanks

    Renee

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