Stay the night: Daphne Inn Rome

For anyone beguiled by the sight of Anita Ekberg dancing at dawn in the Trevi Fountain in 'La Dolce Vita', the Daphne Inn is perfectly positioned. Close to the fountain and the Via Veneto, where Fellini filmed much of his homage to Rome's 1950s beau monde, the inn's 17 rooms and suites are spread across two graceful townhouses in quiet streets that fan off Piazza Barberini.

In a 17th-century palazzo with a spectacular spiral staircase and green double doors opening on to the rooms, Daphne Trevi wins out on dazzle factor but, three minutes' walk away, Daphne Veneto is also charming – the foyer is paved with original, black-and-white tiles.

The fruit of a holiday romance between Elyssa Bernard, a Florida-born software programmer, and Alessandro Bisceglie, a Roman hotelier, the B&B was inspired by the couple's perception that stylish, budget sleepovers offering superb service were rare in Italy's capital.

Inviting textiles, Japanese-style ceramics and ethnic artworks give the Daphne the individual flair of a design hotel. Service rivals any five-star: guests are furnished with pay-as-you-go local mobile phones; there are laptops with free Wi-Fi connection in the public rooms; the staff, many of whom speak English as a first language, help you to plan sightseeing and shopping itineraries; and many of the rooms can be combined into family-friendly suites.

The rooms

A palette of cream, chocolate and oatmeal transforms the bedrooms into soothing, stylish retreats. Unexpectedly luxurious touches include headboards fashioned from Bisazza mosaic tiles, organza-lined silk curtains and bolster cushions. My junior suite in Daphne Veneto had pale wooden flooring and an elegant chaise longue. Wireless and ethernet connections are free of charge. There are no televisions and most bathrooms have showers rather than tubs. Some rooms in Daphne Trevi have shared bathrooms, but the presence of bathrobes makes it no problem to pad along the corridor.

The food and drink

There are tea and coffee-making facilities in every room and bowls of fresh fruit in the suites. Considering that this a budget hotel, the spread at breakfast is breathtaking, including fresh fruit, cold meats, yoghurts and muesli, as well as croissants. Both houses have spacious, sunny breakfast rooms and guests at the Trevi can sit out on the small, flower-filled balcony overlooking the courtyard.

The access

Neither townhouse is suitable for wheelchair users. Children welcome.

The bill

A double with a shared bathroom in Daphne Trevi costs from €90 (£84). A room with an en-suite bathroom in Daphne Veneto costs from €140.

The address

Daphne Trevi, Via degli Avignonesi 20, Rome (00 39 06 8745 0087; daphne-rome.com). Daphne Veneto, Via di San Basilio 55 (00 39 06 8745 0086).

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