The best Rome hotels – 8 boutique stays in the Italian capital
From the Spanish steps to leafy Italian courtyards we explore the best Rome hotels for a stylish getaway
The Italian capital of Rome has been a source of fascination for centuries and as our round-up of the best Rome hotels showcases, we don't think there's anywhere more charming for a culture-soaked getaway. Whether it's a romantic weekend to gaze at the ceiling at the Sistine Chapel or hiring a Vespa and whizzing around the historic lanes with friends, there's a side of Rome to suit everyone.
From its great monuments - the Colosseum, St Peter’s Basilica, and the Pantheon - to the beauty of its cobblestone backstreets and historic sidewalk cafés, the city is a sumptuous feast for the senses. And where you choose to spend the night should reflect this historic beauty, so we've explored the best hotels in Rome, from the well-known haunts offered by our favorite chains, to the hidden gems that are filled with chic interior inspiration as well as being a comfy spot to rest your head.
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1. The Hoxton Hotel, Parioli
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The Hoxton Rome, the 10th hotel in The Hoxton portfolio, is located in the affluent area of Parioli. It's the brand’s first foray in Italy and boasts interiors by Fettle Design referencing vintage Italian cinema. Guests are welcomed into a large modernist lobby flowing with natural light and a curved coffee bar and café - a destination for both locals and travelers.
A great base for seeing the city the hotel is easy walking distance of the big sights of Rome and beautiful Villa Borghese gardens. 192 bedrooms are spread across six different room categories, all with comfortable beds, parquet floors, and modern bathrooms.
The rooms come in six sizes – from ‘Shoebox’ to ‘Biggy’ and draw inspiration from the nostalgic interiors of classic Italian cinema featuring rich timber wall paneling, bespoke statement headboards, and an eclectic mix of furniture, while some larger guest rooms also feature Murano glass chandeliers reclaimed from the building.
The hotel’s café and aperitivo bar Cugino is run in collaboration with local restaurant and micro-bakery Marigold. During the day, Cugino serves pastries, breakfast, brunch, and lunch, and transforms into a cocktail spot in the evenings, with a cocktail menu curated by Simone de Luca (previously of Soho House).
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2. Residenza Napoleone III, Centro
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Like stepping deliciously back in time, Residenza Napoleone III located within the 16th century Palazzo Ruspoli on Rome’s legendary Via Condotti. It offers three spacious, opulent, and elegantly decorated apartments which have been restored to their original 1830s splendor. Decorated in silk wallpaper and tapestries, oil paintings, and draped canopy beds each apartment is updated with modern amenities like Bulgari bath products, iPod docks, and Nespresso machines.
It is the perfect place spot for honeymoons, romantic stays, family trips, or for those seeking a truly unique experience in Rome.
The apartments can be mixed and matched according to requirements and sleep up to nine people in total. The main Napoleone III suite consists of three large, lavishly opulent sitting rooms – and an enormous bedroom. To make a three or four-bedroom apartment, families can choose to add the 'Cosy Blue Room' to the package, which is accessed via a wooden staircase.
The rooms are equipped with kitchenettes but a fresh, organic breakfast is on offer served on Bulgari silverware. All guests receive a welcome pack with fresh fruit and a bottle of Chianti produced on the Ruspoli family's Tuscan estate.
Separate from the main suite, the Roof Garden Suite which can sleep up to three people is an intimate refuge surrounded by greenery and 360-degree views over the domes and rooftops of central Rome.
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3. Mama Shelter, Prati
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Located in the Prati district on the banks of the River Tiber, this 217-property from the Mama Shelter group, a family-founded company disrupting the hotel scene with its eccentric, fun, and accessible approach to hospitality.
The hotel features a bold and energetic design throughout with Neon signs, mosaic floors, maximalist textiles, and walls adorned with geometric artwork by graphic artist Beniloys. The hotel is also home to the brand’s first-ever spa, complete with an indoor swimming pool, sauna, hammam, and fitness center.
Spread over six floors, Mama Roma’s guest rooms have been conceived by the group’s in-house design team, Mama Design Studio. All rooms boast a king-size bed, a 55” smart TV, and organic bath products from the French cosmetic brand Absolution. Mama Shelter’s signature masks of cartoon characters such as Spiderman and Darth Vader hang on bedside lampshades, bringing the brand’s playful character to the private quarters.
Traditional Roman cuisine makes up the varied menu of the Mama Roma restaurants, including delicious wood oven pizzas and Mama’s international signature dishes. The hotel also boasts a magnificent rooftop an island bar and glorious views of the city and St. Peter’s dome.
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4. Rocco Forte Hotel De La Ville, Centro
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Boasting a fantastic location at the top of the Spanish Steps and with dazzling interiors by designer Tommaso Ziffer and Olga Polizzi, Hotel De La Ville is the latest opening in the expanding empire of Rocco Forte Hotels.
An extravagant yet contemporary Grand Tour theme informs the decor of the hotel’s 100-plus rooms and suites which comprise of three renovated historic palazzi joined to make one larger complex. This lends 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 elegant rooms and suites offer views of Via Sistina or the hotel courtyard many with private balconies, while each bathroom has a walk-in shower complete with state-of-the-art speakers and Irene Forte Skincare amenities.
The rooms weave together the extravagant style of the 18th Century with a contemporary touch. Handmade wallpaper from designers Rubelli and Dedar and rich Italian fabrics and tapestries from Zardi & Zardi sit alongside antique-inspired elements created using new technologies like digitally printed mosaics and laser-cut wall coverings.
The culinary offering at Hotel de la Ville is overseen by Michelin-starred chef Fulvio Pierangelini, who has created a delicious Mediterranean menu at the main restaurant, overlooking the hotel's elegant courtyard. In the Lobby Lounge & Bistro, traditional Italian fare is on offer, while at the Rooftop Bar guests can enjoy inventive cocktails alongside incredible views.
5. Chapter Roma
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A privately owned 42-room design hotel housed in a 19th-century building in the Jewish Quarter The Chapter Romana brings an extensively bold, fresh, and cool style to the ancient Italian capital, showcasing industrial-chic and contemporary art within its self professed 'glamorous and gritty' spaces. Artwork abounds, with standout pieces by Italian sculptor Willy Verginer, a canvas by American painter Drew Merritt, a custom mural by L.A.-based Cyrcle, a work by Roman-born Alice Pasquini, and bespoke furniture from Italian artisans.
Rooms overlook the courtyard or street and have either a corner sofa or a retro-style private bar. Each has smart wooden floors, velvet upholstery, and industrial-style fittings of brass and steel – a tribute to the blacksmiths that used to populate the pocket of Regola.
Furnishings by local artisans have been paired with designs by Tom Dixon, Moroso, Seletti, and Diesel, adding a hit of contemporary design. Every room has a king-size bed, a sitting area, and an ensuite bathroom with granite floors, cement walls, and a walk-in shower. There’s also free WiFi, a minibar. Marshall Bluetooth speakers, and La Bruket bath products.
Eating areas span the Lobby where great coffees, juices, and smoothies are served during the day. The Market, a salad bar and grocery store, and 'Hey Güey' the hotel's trendy cocktail bar, serving Mexican street food from a truck on its roof terrace.
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6. Hotel Eden
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Part of the Dorchester Collection, the hotel set between the Borghese Gardens and the upscale Via Veneto is indeed Eden personified. Elegant and calm it sets the standard high for luxury hospitality, with its classically elegant and sumptuous decor, magnificent views, high-end restaurants, and an exclusive spa.
98 rooms are spacious and awash in natural light. The soothing neutral palette, classic furnishings, perfect soundproofing, and luxe bathrooms in white marble and brushed gold make each an inviting bolthole at the end of the day. Luscious beds with soft mattress toppers and duvets are perfect for a long lie in the following morning.
Top-shelf amenities include Bang & Olufsen televisions, Nespresso machines, iPads for in-room services, and Bottega Veneta bath products. The 33 suites (including four signature suites) offer larger living areas, king-size beds, and extra perks like fresh flowers, Dyson hairdryers, and complimentary minibars.
Hotel highlights include the Michelin-starred La Terrazza, a sleek cocktail bar, a luxe spa, and access to the outdoor swimming pool at Roma Polo Club. Other features include a 24-hour gym and a variety of kid-friendly activities.
7. Crossing Condotti
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Crossing Condotti is a quiet haven located in Rome's bustling but still villagey fashion district. The nine-room hotel has the simplicity of a guesthouse but the panache of a luxury hotel. The décor is a tasteful mix of antique and contemporary, with fine bed linens and textiles creating an aura of discreet opulence.
Each of the elegantly renovated nine rooms have been individually styled with heirloom paintings and Sicilian antiques; but all have wood floors, queen-size beds, sleek bathrooms and iPad Airs for on-the-go browsing. Superior Rooms are cozy, but cleverly furnished; most have beamed ceilings and generous welcome trays.
Concierges are on hand from 8.30am to 6.30pm each day. Charming and helpful, they are a good source of unbiased advice on restaurants, sights, and shops. A communal kitchenette allows guests to make tea and coffee whenever they need refreshments.
8. Hotel Vilon
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A mansion-turned-boutique-hotel nestled into a cobblestoned street with luscious, light-filled rooms and a charming private courtyard next to the historic Palazzo Borghese. Moody lighting, glossy surfaces, deep jewel tones, and shimmering metallic pieces, along with Art Deco sculptures and contemporary art set the tone for a unique stay.
The rooms are spacious and sharp, with cool art collections, high-end extras, and many with Borghese Garden views. Some rooms offer your own terrace, while all promise chic décor that instantly invites you to rest. Think marble bathrooms, comfy velvet furnishings, and perfectly placed elegant works of art.
The main floor of the hotel is home to Adelaide Ristorante & Salotto. Its grand mirrored bar features a mix of couches and tables and opens to the indoor and outdoor seating areas for the restaurant.
Named for a princess in the Borghese family, the restaurant features Mediterranean and Italian-inspired dishes in a refined yet relaxed setting that includes a green, open-air courtyard for alfresco dining.
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Rohini Wahi is Content Editor for Livingetc Online. With a decade-long career in the interiors and design industry working as a journalist for premium lifestyle publications then delving deeper into the business as a trend forecaster, Rohini has amassed a wealth of global design knowledge that informs her work. She loves a period drama and keeps a tidy home.
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