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Rome amazes with its highly successful ancient ruins and art museums full of treasures. But look beyond the splendor and you’ll discover the innermost heart of the Eternal City, one that beats to the rhythm of family-run trattorias, independent ateliers, old-school cafes and pocket squares. The city’s hotel scene mimics this contrast, even as its legendary Grandes Dames capture the limelight, those in the well-known books take refuge in Rome’s new wave of understatedly chic boutique hotels tucked inside Renaissance townhouses and behind piazzas baroque. Browse the best boutique hotels in Rome here and experience the perfect Roman pairing of historical weight and human-scale hospitality.
In summary, the best boutique hotels in Rome
This 14-suite bolthole, a short sashay from the Spanish Steps, is one of the city’s most elegant luxury options, lent panache by Michele Bonan’s sleek contemporary-retro design scheme. It’s understated and very private – think of it as a high-class residence rather than a hotel. When they say suite, they mean suite: even the “superior” entry-levels are spacious. The unobtrusive service, courtesy of a dedicated ‘lifestyle team’, is unmatched, as is the prestige of the guests-only rooftop bar.
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From the moment you arrive, you get a sense of the boutique and bespoke ambiance of The H’All Tailor Suite. The elegant white building feels residential, in keeping with owners Riccardo and Ramona’s mission to make you feel at home. Hence the name – everything here speaks of a personal experience. Artwork from Rome’s Mucciaccia contemporary art gallery adorns the walls of each of the 14 uniquely furnished rooms and pairs perfectly with the minimalistic and elegantly designed pieces and furnishings. The famous All’Oro restaurant also features a luxurious and colorful interior.
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Architect and designer Giampiero Panepinto has created a series of delightfully elegant yet playfully playful spaces mixing references ranging from Rococo to 19th-century decadence to mid-century modern. It caters squarely for educated, independent globetrotters, and virtually any request can be catered for, from kid-oriented private tours of Rome to yoga and massages. The clubby bar/restaurant, which spills out into a small, intimate, plant-lined open-air courtyard, makes you want to slip into vintage Valentino and sip a Negroni.
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In a corner of Rome where a number of trendy boutique hotels have blossomed, the Elizabeth is perhaps the most outstanding player. Like many Roman boutique hotels, it’s a modern space within a historic palazzo, with exquisite interiors that mix a refined color palette with mid-century decor and custom flourishes like bespoke lighting and Colosseum-inspired accent tables. What sets this boutique hotel apart, however, is its outstanding collection of Italian contemporary art, curated by one of Rome’s most prestigious galleries.
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If you’ve ever wanted to live like a reigning contemporary Roman family, Villa Laetitia is the address. The Art Nouveau mansion, purchased by sister of the Fendi clan Anna, is a Belle Epoque timepiece, a secluded urban retreat and a delightful balance of artisan hotellerie, haute design and epicurean attention. The 21 bedrooms of the luxury villa are located both in the villa and in its fully restored 1910s garden. Family and friends are the main theme of each room: the main villa’s Adele room is a minimalist homage with 1910s wooden furniture to original Fendi matriarch Adele.
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This is the Italian dream, especially if that dream means sharp acumen of style and normcore-chic. Each “Interior” of CasaCau, as the apartments are called, consists of large open spaces with contemporary furniture and artwork, belying the Baroque facade of the building. The open-plan format includes an eat-in kitchen and bedroom/living room with king-size beds. In the morning, Italian pastries are delivered to your door along with a newspaper. CasaCau guests are offered gourmet experiences in the group’s two starred restaurants.
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This is one of Rome’s most classic boutique hotels: warm, suave, elegant and original. The design – based on an understated and opulent retro Dolce Vita look – is as impressive in the bedrooms as it is in the downstairs common areas. The ground floor looks like a trendy contemporary gentleman’s club, especially the chic sitting room/library, and the 23 double rooms and seven suites feature rosewood-paneled vestibules, marble bathrooms and rosewood four-poster beds. The service here is refreshingly casual, without being guiltily haphazard. And the minibar is free.
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From the moment you walk through the discreet door of the 20-room gem, you are greeted like visiting royalty. The rooms, with their autumnal palette, feel a little Parisian at times, though details like the reproduction of classical busts or the playful Palladian wallpaper in the Executive Rooms help ground you in the Eternal City. The Colosseum Suite has a large and scenic Jacuzzi and a small private gym, but if you prefer something more discreetly opulent, choose a Junior Suite. The cuisine matches the view in the Aroma rooftop restaurant with its romantic Colosseum views, and the bar next door is a lovely spot for an evening aperitif.
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The Palazzo Martis takes its name from the Roman god Mars. It was once a Renaissance palace and convent owned by the noble Massimo family. The building’s period features have been thoughtfully carried forward into the 21st century, with huge glass doors opening onto 600-year-old granite columns and holy water fountains. The rooms are huge, with a bold design; Bright floral bedspreads and accent fabrics look chic, as do Rothko two-tone wallpaper and drapes. There is a spa at the Martis Palace’s sister hotel which is available to guests staying here.
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This collection of 24 stylish serviced apartments, spread across two neighboring townhouses on one of the city’s most elegant shopping streets connecting the Spanish Steps with Piazza del Popolo, is the epicenter of Roman glamour. It’s a great option for independent travelers on a medium budget who want an excellent location and understated design without paying high prices. In the annexe just opposite its main residence at number 181 is the hotel’s charming rooftop terrace bar (open air in summer) where a continental breakfast buffet is served in the morning and cocktails in the evening from 6pm: 00 to 21:00.
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Not just for urban hipsters, this charming, full-service hotel has finally given small town Monti the classy lodging option it’s been waiting for. You have to ring the bell to enter this tall, pale cream terraced house, which owners Sara Ferrajoli and Vincenzo Mirisola di Torresanto have transformed, with the help of architect Antonio Girardi, into an absolutely charming urban retreat with a fresh retro style feel – in the look as much Paris or London as Rome. Grown-up color schemes, 1950s-style armchairs, and vintage lamps set the tone for a prime address for independent travelers.
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Absolutely charming. This is the main impression left by a stay in this nice and welcoming three-star hotel which nestles right in front of the Forum in the funky Monti district. Rooms are more five-star than three: Black, white, and houndstooth essentials are offset by colorful artwork and pillows, and art books are used as upscale accents. Designer flourishes like furniture by Dedar and Gervasoni, mod pendant lamps, premium Italian mattresses and bedding, and Emperador marble bathrooms with bespoke natural bath products, give the rooms a luxurious feel.
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The Hotel Monte Cenci is tucked away on a side street on the edge of Rome’s Jewish Quarter, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. Modern rooms meet picturesque balconies overlooking romantic Rome, in an extraordinary meeting of comfort and charm. The service experience begins before check-in, with an invitation to select pillow types, a honeymoon welcome, or even a request for an in-room yoga mat. And the property is crowned with a charming rooftop bar that transforms into a cozy conservatory in the cooler months.
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Contributions by Nicola Ferlei Brown, Erica Firpo, Lee Marshall, Maria Pasquale and Rebecca Winke
