These are unusual times, and the state of affairs can change quickly. Please check the latest guidance before travelling. Our writers visited these hotels prior to the pandemic.
One of Rome’s buzziest street artists once told me that the city is “like a lasagna”. The endearing comparison evokes both the layers of history that lie beneath the Eternal City’s cobblestones and the contrast between its béchamel-smooth la dolce vita elan and rough ragù-like character. In other words, it’s full of flavour. Savour its many nuances by booking the hotels in central Rome, home to a jumble of Roman ruins sitting cheek by jowl with Renaissance palaces and Baroque squares. And in the shadow of it all, the Romans going about their day fueled by tiny shots of espresso and an indefatigable joie de vivre. For a slice of this on the doorstep, here’s our pick of the best hotels in Rome city centre, including the best for rooftop bars, gourmet dining, rooms with city views and arty interiors.
Villa Spalletti Trivelli
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Villa Spalletti Trivelli is well placed for pretty much everything, from the train station, to the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain, to some of Rome’s best restaurants. In terms of the décor, imagine having an antique- and art-stuffed palazzo, complete with elegant formal garden, that has been in your family for over a century – a place with opulent interiors of such historic significance that they are listed by the Italian heritage ministry. Well, you do – at least for the duration of your stay. Rooms are warm and welcoming with rich fabrics, pastel-hued walls and cashmere throws; the huge spa includes a wonderful Turkish bath (included in the hotel price); and breakfast is a good spread.
From
£
298
per night
Rates provided by
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Singer Palace Hotel
Rome, Lazio, Italy
With its original Art Deco features, two-level terrace overlooking central Rome, and location within striking distance of the most famous landmarks, Singer Palace is a showstopper of a hotel. Jewel-toned velvet sofas, plucky printed throw pillows, soft leather butterfly chairs and casually placed fresh flowers complete the sophisticated yet lighthearted vibe. The 30 rooms include nine suites, all done in a neutral greige palette with dark parquet floors, elegantly upholstered headboards, whimsical lamps and colourful accent pillows. And breakfast is a generous mix of continental buffet and table service à la carte, both included in the room rate.
From
£
303
per night
Rates provided by
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• The best hotels in Rome
Casa Fabbrini
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Casa Fabbrini occupies all five floors of a cute 16th-century townhouse, which has been modernised while preserving original features such as worn stone stairs and wood-beamed ceilings. Retro design pieces and cool industrial lighting mix it up with jazzy fabrics and colourful ceramics. The whole fourth floor has been made into a welcoming living room and kitchen that remains open all day and night. It’s in a quiet, hidden cul-de-sac that even many locals don’t know about – though it’s in the heart of the centro storico, five minutes’ walk from the Spanish Steps and a short hop from the fashion strip of Via Condotti.
From
£
101
per night
Rates provided by
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• The best restaurants in Rome
Hotel de la Ville
Rome, Lazio, Italy
From its perch above Piazza di Spagna by the Spanish Steps, Hotel de la Ville’s rooftop bar and terraces afford postcard-perfect views over the domes and cupolas of the Eternal City. The Rocco Forte property is actually three renovated historic palazzi joined to make one larger complex, lending ample space for a number of indoor and open-air lounges, bars, and eateries; an enormous spa; impeccably fitted out gym; and a vast enclosed courtyard with space for dining and lounging. The extravagant yet contemporary Grand Tour theme informs the décor of the hotel’s 100-plus rooms and suites.
From
£
456
per night
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Hotel De Russie
Rome, Lazio, Italy
The city’s first true design hotel – located in the centro storico between the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo – features Ancient-Rome-meets-Art-Deco décor and a standout courtyard, summer home to the hotel’s classy cocktail bar and restaurant. Though it’s fashion-shopping central today, this area of the centro storico still retains some of the bohemian air of centuries past, when it was the city’s artists’ quarter. Today, the De Russie is equally well-placed for coming back with armfuls of bags from Gucci, Fendi and Prada, or going for a run in the Borghese Gardens.
From
£
502
per night
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The Fifteen Keys
Rome, Lazio, Italy
This charming, full-service townhouse hotel is located in Monti, the picturesque, increasingly hip residential quarter of Rome to the east of the Colosseum. Owners Sara Ferrajoli and Vincenzo Mirisola di Torresanto have converted the property into an utterly charming urban refuge with a cool retro feel. Grown-up colour schemes, 1950s-style armchairs and vintage light fittings set the tone of a cool insider address for plugged-in independent travellers. Unlike many of Rome’s recent crop of boutique openings, it’s staffed around the clock. A small fleet of vintage-style Dudebike bicycles are free for guests’ use.
From
£
128
per night
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The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel
Rome, Lazio, Italy
At the heart of the city’s historic centre, with its quintessentially Roman jumble of cobblestone lanes and elegant piazzas, pocket-sized cafés and majestic palazzi, sits the Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel. In its design, Milanese architect Marco Piva references the original Pantheon’s circular dome and oculus, rich marble and brass, and use of light in a way that is familiar without being too on the nose, and gives the contemporary lobby, bar, and restaurants a boutique cachet, despite the 79 rooms and suites. Its haute-cuisine restaurant is Michelin-starred, and the rooftop terrace a contender for the best panoramic perch in the historic centre.
From
£
201
per night
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J.K. Place Roma
Rome, Lazio, Italy
One of Italy’s classiest townhouse hotels, five minutes’ walk from the Spanish Steps. J.K. Place has been much imitated, but few of the copies match the warm, suave, elegant original. The rooms derive much of their charm from the no-expenses-spared quality of the materials used, including antique fireplaces and original framed fashion-house sketches. The minibar is complimentary, a buffet breakfast is always included, and the staff go that extra mile to help. Doubles feature palisander-lined dressing vestibules, bathrooms done out in two-tone grey and white marble, and simple rosewood four-poster beds.
From
£
400
per night
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Mario de’ Fiori 37
Rome, Lazio, Italy
From the street, this cute 17th-century townhouse looks like a classy Roman private residence, and in a way that’s the point: there’s little to tell you it’s a hotel except the desk in the small entrance hall. Located near the Spanish Steps, this is one for seasoned travellers who like the idea of having their own chic room in Rome’s classiest neighbourhood, and don’t need luxury hotel coddling. Within a 10-minute walking radius you have a huge choice of restaurants, wine bars and cafés for all budgets. Owner Alberto Moncada’s ‘Roman Notebook’ of recommended places to eat, drink, shop and visit is a handy touch.
From
£
140
per night
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Nerva Boutique Hotel
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Notable cheap hotels in Rome city centre are few and far between if you’re looking for location, style, comfort and service on a budget. Yet this hotel is a cut above, with the air of a stylish townhouse, stellar staff, and one of the best continental breakfasts in town. It’s just across the street from the Forum of Nerva and faces the imposing stone wall that once divided this imperial area from the Suburra – ancient Rome’s teeming lower-class neighbourhood. However, where there were once taverns and a red-light district, the bohemian-chic boutiques, restaurants, and clubs of the modern-day Monti neighbourhood have blossomed.
From
£
61
per night
Rates provided by
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Albergo del Senato
Rome, Lazio, Italy
In the heart of the centro storico the Del Senato is so close to the Pantheon that anyone with a decent overarm technique could lob a cocktail olive into the oculus. But three other factors make the Del Senato stand out: excellent service, a delightful rooftop terrace and the pristine elegance of the suave antique décor. The extensive breakfast buffet, which includes plenty of freshly baked goodies, will set you up nicely for a day’s sightseeing. The Superior doubles have good views over the Pantheon but plump for a top-floor Penthouse Suite which comes with a panoramic terrace.
From
£
114
per night
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CasaCau
Rome, Lazio, Italy
CasaCau is the nexus of all activity in Rome – from culture and history, to shopping and food. The Trevi Fountain and art collections of Palazzo Barberini and Palazzo Colonna are a mere five-minute walk away in the immediate neighbourhood, while shopping hub Piazza di Spagna and Via dei Condotti and monuments such as the Roman Forum and Patheon are a 10 to 15-minute walk in either direction. Each CasaCau ‘Interior’, as the apartments are called, are breezy open-spaces with contemporary furniture and art pieces, all which belie the palazzo’s Baroque façade.
From
£
200
per night
Rates provided by
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Hotel Vilòn
Rome, Lazio, Italy
The Vilòn is a secluded but central boutique gem with the cachet of a view, from many rooms, of the private, statue-strewn inner garden and loggia of Palazzo Borghese. Architect and designer Giampiero Panepinto has created a series of deliciously stylish yet also teasingly playful spaces by mixing up references that range from Rococo through 19th-century decadence to mid-century modern. The 18 rooms and suites all enjoy plenty of natural light, but little noise thanks to the effective double glazing. Drinking and dining is where the Vilòn really shines; no fancy foams here, just really good Roman and Italian dishes like rigatoni alla carbonara done to perfection.
From
£
315
per night
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Contributions by Erica Firpo & Lee Marshall
This article was originally published by Telegraph.co.uk. Read the original article here.