Hotels

Rome’s best hotels: palaces, glamorous boutique hotels and design addresses

An overview of the best of Rome’s hotel scene, from historic palaces to trendy boutique hotels and charming, traditionally luxurious establishments. Our selection of the best hotels in Rome.

Rome, a tourist city par excellence, has no shortage of hotels. But for a long time, the Italian capital, accustomed to a springtime influx of travelers from all over the world, took little time to modernize. Aging palaces and dusty hotels seemed to have become the norm in a capital that cannot count on the business clientele that is so present in Milan. Fortunately, the last few years seem to have marked a turning point for luxury hotels in Rome. With extensive renovations to historic establishments and an increasing number of stylish boutique hotels, not to mention concepts that border on the hotel industry, such as the Luxury Suites that can now be found everywhere, the hotel landscape has changed. For the better.

Our favorite Rome hotel

1. Casa Monti, a bohemian interlude in the heart of Rome

Behind an 18th-century façade, just a stone's throw from the lively alleyways of the chic Monti district, Casa Monti stands out as a precious stopover in the hustle and bustle of Rome. This Leitmotiv Group boutique hotel, designed by Laura Gonzalez, is not only an elegant retreat but also a tribute to the artistic soul of the "Eternal City". As you push open the doors, the hubbub of cobblestones and Vespas fades away, giving way to a hushed universe where every detail seems to have been chosen with care.

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A hotel like a Roman house: as soon as you enter, a plant fresco invites you to look up, while the red terrazzo floor recalls ancient Roman villas. The common areas, dotted with antique busts and Murano blown-glass pieces, evoke the home of a collector in love with Rome. The golden light that bathes the hall mimics the ora d'oro, that suspended moment when the city lights up with an amber glow. Casa Monti cultivates a form of gentle exuberance, with bold patterns, shimmering fabrics and antique furniture.

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Cocoons inspired by the Dolce Vita: in the bedrooms, the color palette plays with contrasts: green and soft pink, deep red and duck blue... Each floor tells a different story, between handmade ceramics and illustrations by Paola Sorrentino. The attention to detail extends to the bathrooms, where mosaic swallows soar above the travertine bathtubs. The Roman Suite, perched on the top floor, dares an inverted design, where perspectives are blurred in a visual game inspired by classical painters.

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A taste of Rome : in the morning, the bar on the first floor comes alive with local regulars ordering a ristretto accompanied by a generously garnished maritozzo. At lunchtime, the shaded patio becomes a cool haven for parmigiana di melanzane or fettucine with duck ragù. Chef Umberto Tuccio's Rome restaurant blends Roman heritage and modernity with a deep respect for local produce. In the evening, head for the rooftop, where the bar, overlooking the rooftops, becomes the stage for an Italian-style aperitif. A signature cocktail, a plate of aged pecorino, and the spectacle of the setting sun over the Baroque domes does the rest.

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A district where the heart of Rome beats : staying at Casa Monti also means immersing yourself in a district of raw charm, far from the beaten track. Casa Monti is Rome at its most eclectic: from glass artisans and cabinetmakers to trattorias where you eat on paper tablecloths, from vintage boutiques to confidential art galleries. In the mornings, the market in Piazza della Madonna dei Monti buzzes with life, while in the evenings, the square's staircases become the haunt of bohemian youth, spritz in hand.

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Casa Monti
Via Panisperna, 210/212, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
casamontiroma.com

I. Legendary hotels and grand hotels

2. Hotel de Russie (Rocco Forte Collection)

Why book? In 1917, Jean Cocteau described the Hotel de Russie as " paradise on earth". Nearly a century later - and more than two hundred years after it was built by Giuseppe Valadier, the architect responsible for the neighboring Piazza del Popolo - the Hotel de Russie remains one of the Italian capital's landmark addresses. This luxury hotel, once the resort of artists such as Picasso, intellectuals and the Russian imperial family, is now a haven for the most discerning travelers and lovers of the understated luxury of the Rocco Forte collection.

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What's on the agenda in this Roman palace? Spacious rooms, soft colors, stone sculptures, marble bathrooms, spectacular suites including the 172 m² Nijinsky Suite renovated by designer Olga Polizzi, not to mention the famous Stravinski Bar - a favorite meeting place of Roman high society - and a spa with heated pool, hammam and sauna. The highlight of this luxury hotel in Rome is undeniably its fabulous garden, a lush oasis organized around stone balustrades and fountains that remains one of the "Eternal City" 's rare havens of peace. In fact, it's in this urban Eden that Le Jardin has taken up residence, one of the city's finest terraces backing onto the gourmet restaurant and the Pincio hill, a private park once linked to the Villa Borghese. The secret? La Table du Jardin, lost in the greenery, for special events and wedding proposals.

Where? Centro Storico, a stone's throw from Piazza del Popolo.

Hotel de Russie
122 rooms and suites, prices from 740 euros per night.
Via del Babuino, 9, 00187 Roma RM, Italie

3. Hotel Hassler, still a family institution

Why make a reservation? At the top of the Spanish Steps, the legendary Hotel Hassler has been welcoming the world's VIPs, celebrities and royalty to the "Eternal City" since 1893. Hoteliers Roberto Jr. and Verushka Wirth, heirs to a dynasty of Swiss hoteliers, are still at the helm of this prestigious address, and are committed to preserving the opulence of their establishment, which is said to boast the finest views of Rome. If you're not lucky enough to stay in one of the classically luxurious rooms - or better still, the incredible 7th-floor Penthouse - overlooking the city, book a table at the Imàgo restaurant. This Michelin-starred restaurant, the playground of inspired chef Andrea Antonini, is the ideal spot to enjoy the breathtaking views that the Hassler has been offering its guests for over a century.

hassler roma

Where? Next to the Trinité-des-Monts, at the top of the famous Spanish Steps.

Hotel Hassler
93 rooms and suites, prices from 830 euros per night.
Piazza della Trinità dei Monti, 6, 00187 Roma RM, Italie

4. Villa Agrippina , the Eternal City's historic refuge

What's the hotel like? Perfectly situated in the heart of the city, stretched out on the banks of the Tiber and within papal crosier reach (5 minutes from the Vatican and the famous St. Peter's Basilica), you enter Villa Agrippina through an avenue of olive trees almost a hundred years old, revealing an immense palace built on the ruins of the former residence of Emperor Nero's mother. As is often the case in Rome, history is never far away... Although the hotel makes no secret of its desire to appeal to an international clientele, it doesn't fall into the clichés of soulless decoration: a clever blend of contemporary pieces and reminders of the past, it's not unusual to come across a Breccia Portoro marble counter protecting an ancient relic (in the lobby) or Murano glass chandeliers lighting up the arcades of the bar. As for gastronomy, Alfonso D'Auria officiates in the Follie's kitchens. His creations are inspired by products selected from local suppliers, such as Marengo beef, Pecorino di Viterbo and Castelli Romani herbs.

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The rooms? 110 rooms, including 32 suites, all with large openings to the outside. Some boast views of St. Peter's dome and the Vatican gardens, worthy of a romantic comedy starring Audrey Hepburn. While the Penthouse Room and Gran 360° View Suite boast generous terraces and even a private Jacuzzi, all feature the same enlarged detail of a work of art as a headboard.

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Villa Agrippina Gran Meliá
Prices from €580 per night
Via del Gianicolo, 3, 00165 Roma RM, Italie

II. Intimate, exclusive and glamorous

5. Portrait Roma

Why book? The only Roman property in the Lungarno Collection, owned by the Ferragamo family originally from Florence, Portrait Roma is positioned in the highly exclusive segment of the glamorous, intimate boutique hotel. A discreet entrance, a few meters from the busy Via Condotti, leads to this haven of refinement, where check-in takes place from the comfort of an armchair, after being promptly greeted by the butler. While the rooms are as elegant as they are luxurious (with a special mention for the lavish bathrooms), the jewel in the crown of Portrait Roma is undoubtedly its magnificent rooftop perched on the seventh and top floor. Reserved exclusively for guests of the hotel in Rome, it acts as a magnet for Portrait guests, who return again and again, mesmerized by the 360° view over the historic heart of Rome and the nearby Spanish Steps. Without a doubt, one of the best hotels in Rome.

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Where? On Via Condotti, the luxury shopping street leading to the Spanish Steps.

Portrait Roma
14 rooms and suites, prices from 900 euros per night.
Via Bocca di Leone, 23, 00187 Roma RM, Italie

6. J.K. Place Roma

Why make a reservation? With the same exclusivo-glamorous positioning and decorator (Italian Michele Bonan) as Portrait Roma, J.K. Place Roma also plays in the very big league despite its small size, just 27 keys. This ultra-refined boutique hotel, a member of Leading Hotels of the World, features elegant rooms and suites more reminiscent of a chic apartment than a traditional hotel. Seven of them feature private terraces. The J.K. Place Roma boasts a golden location - just a stone's throw from the fashion and jewelry boutiques of Via del Corso and the galleries of Via Margutta, which the hotel invites guests to discover through exclusive experiences - and haute couture service. An aesthete's haven, aperitivo in the library, espresso under the glass roof of the reception area, while awaiting the completion of the rooftop.

jk place roma

Where? Next to the Piazza Borghese. The Spanish Steps and the banks of the Tiber are just a few minutes' walk away.

JK Place Roma
27 rooms and suites, prices from 820 euros per night.
Via di Monte d'Oro, 30, 00186 Roma RM, Italie

III. Fashion, design and trends

7. G-Rough

Why make a reservation? Immediately noticed by the international press, the G-Rough, a palazzino next to the famous Piazza Navona, has opted for a radical, non-conformist style. The result is vast spaces (at least 40 square meters and remarkable ceiling heights) with faded walls - the rough side of this hotel in Rome - and vintage furniture featuring original pieces from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. The ensemble appeals to a happy few, more chic hipsters than penniless travelers. The perfect hotel for showing off on Instagram or Pinterest.

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Where? Just a stone's throw from Piazza Navona.

G-Rough
10 rooms and suites, from 430 euros per night.
Piazza di Pasquino, 69 / 70, 00186 Roma RM, Italie

8. The Corner Townhouse

Why make a reservation? In the space of just a few years, The Corner has established itself as one of the Italian capital's hottest spots, thanks to a concept seen elsewhere but unheard of in the city: to bring together under the same roof - in this case that of a 1920s bourgeois townhouse - a gourmet restaurant, a speakeasy bar and rooms to sleep in, all under the sign of a convincing design and a few eccentric touches. The strength of the idea lies in its ability to appeal to the fashion-conscious Romans who have made The Corner one of their HQs. As for the international traveler, all he has to do is put his suitcases down in one of the 9 rooms and 2 suites in this unusual townhouse. The "cheap & chic" address par excellence, highly recommended to those who love our Mama Shelters.

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Where to stay? Along Viale Aventino, not far from the FAO headquarters. The Testaccio and Garbatella districts are nearby.

The Corner Townhouse
11 rooms and suites, prices from 220 euros per night.
Viale Aventino, 121, 00153 Roma RM, Italie

IV. Traditional charm and luxury

9. Bio Hotel Raphaël

Why book? Just a few seconds from Piazza Navona, Bio Hotel Raphaël is the address of choice for lovers of classic luxury and traditional hospitality. Far from any modernist temptations, the 5-star hotel, elegantly concealed behind a facade covered in Virginia creeper, is the embodiment of a hotel tradition on the verge of extinction. The Raphaël, like its unrelated Parisian namesake, can count on a clientele of regulars who adore its timeless, discreet ambience, the opposite of hotels for VIPs and other trendy spots.

In fine weather, Bio Hotel Raphaël, boasts one of the finest terraces in the historic center, open to all, to the delight of those not staying at the hotel in Rome.

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Where? 50 meters from Piazza Navona.

Bio Hotel Raphaël
50 rooms, suites and villas, prices from 260 euros per night.
Largo Febo, 2, 00186 Roma RM, Italie

10. Hotel Locarno

Why book? If you're allergic to design or fashion, the Hotel Locarno is for you! This historic hotel, next to the Piazza del Popolo, is described in the Louis Vuitton City Guide to Rome as "old-fashioned, faded, chic and charming [...] cherished by intellectuals and film buffs, a tradition since the 1960s ". That sets the tone for this hotel, once frequented by Fellini and François Truffaut.

But be warned: while at first glance the Locarno may appear to be a sleepy, dusty beauty, the establishment actually cultivates this style, banking on the nostalgia of its regulars. The latest refurbishment of the hotel in Rome is a testament to this, allowing the Locarno to modernize while giving the impression that nothing has changed!

hotel locarno

Where? Piazza del Popolo

Hotel Locarno
49 rooms and suites, prices from 540 euros per night.
Via della Penna, 22, 00186 Roma RM, Italie

All locations are independently selected by our specialist journalists. If you make a reservation, we may receive an affiliate commission.

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