One of two big, multi-storied apartments to hit the market in January, the Colosseum Penthouse at via dei Ss. Quattro 47 is so close to the Colosseum it seems like virtual reality.
At 3,200 square feet, with late 20th-century Roman décor (think marble, velvets, damask, gold), the apartment sleeps six in three bedrooms. There are five baths, a full kitchen, and multiple terraces overlooking Italy’s most famous monument. The primary bedroom is spacious, with postcard views and decorated cove ceilings. There is a small comfortable sitting room with a fireplace between the bedroom, the master bath and the adjacent foyer.
The comfortable second bedroom is on the main floor as well, with an en-suite bath and wide windows.
Upstairs, there is an expansive dining/sitting room, wrapped with terraces and, of course, those spectacular vistas. (The views after dark, when the Colosseum is lighted, are not to be missed). The apartment comes with a private chef, whose breakfast spread is as good as anywhere in Rome. The chef may be engaged for additional meals upon request.
If not the Colosseum Penthouse, then try its sister apartment, which is also managed by Treasure Rome as part of the Beyond Collection. The Terraces at Capitoline in the Palazzo Colonna is located at Piazza d’Aracoeli 1, across a narrow street from the Vittorio Emanuele monument (the locals call it the wedding cake or the typewriter), the Campidoglio city hall, and the Church of Ara Coeli. It overlooks Piazza Venezia and several important museums are only a few minutes’ walk away. There are multiple outdoor spaces in the 2,400-square-foot apartment, overlooking the monuments and the city; one secluded terrace is large enough for small private parties and is adjacent to a working kitchen. Previously the residence of an illustrious family, it is said the Prince of Savoy was once a visitor.
The apartment is on two levels above the busy street and piazza, so some traffic noise is to be expected. With luck, this piazza is the place to see one of the famous Roman cops who direct traffic like a symphonic conductor.
Stone excavated from Italy and beyond decorates the apartment, from red marble to travertine. The living room with its natural honey-onyx floor and marble fireplace is large enough for group get-togethers, with serving space in the adjacent dining room (a small wedding party, perhaps? After all, the justice of the peace is just across the street.). The living room wall is lined with mirrors on one side and windows on the other, so both light and monuments are reflected. With its ’80s ambiance, it’s easy to imagine aristocratic Roman parties in past decades.
The spectacular primary bedroom is downstairs, adjacent to a library/sitting room, both overlooking the piazza. The baldacchino (canopied) bed is draped in lush fabrics, with swags and bows enough for a fairy tale. The walls are lined with antique paintings and the ceiling is frescoed. The full bathroom is not en-suite but is actually outside the adjacent library.
Mobility Note: This bedroom and bath are reached by a staircase; there is no elevator. There is an elevator from street level to the apartment, though there are a few stairs to climb. The Colosseum Penthouse may be reached by elevator; the living and dining areas are reached by a staircase.
The Capitoline’s second bedroom is a private sanctuary on the main floor, beyond the living and dining areas. The windows face the inside courtyard, bringing in light, but not street noise. The décor is traditional, with luxe Italian fabrics. There is a full bathroom next to this bedroom.
The apartment has a total of five bathrooms and can accommodate four overnight guests.
A dedicated English-speaking concierge, Brian Fogù, is available at any time at +39-349-075-5206 (telephone or WhatsApp). The apartments provide black car service to and from the airport. Made-to-order breakfasts created by the private chef are provided at both apartments, with additional meals prepared upon request. Other services include high tea at home, private shopping tours, and wine tastings. To book, contact Henrietta Kiss ([email protected]; +39-389-002-6363).
The Six Senses group, known for its sumptuous resorts, has committed to the city with the renovation of the Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini at Piazza San Marcello on Via Corso, as well as the adjacent façade of the San Marcello al Corso church. Six Senses Rome offers 96 rooms and suites, as well as NOTOS, the panoramic rooftop bar and restaurant, which serves drinks and light meals when weather permits. In a city famous for its incredible views, this one is definitely a competitor for the top slot. Downstairs is BIVIUM, an open-style group of restaurants where every corner offers a different menu. It’s hard to believe this buzzing space was once the staid lobby of a bank.
There are 12 categories of rooms, beginning with the Presidential Suite Lata on the fourth floor (1,356 square feet), which has two bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms. Six Senses and the designers have bowed to sustainability by using recycled plastic to create linen-like floor-to-ceiling curtains for all the rooms. The walls of the suite and other rooms are finished with cocciopesto, a plaster technique that goes back to the building of the Roman aqueducts. The suite has a large terrace (1,033 square feet) with a city view, as well as a small kitchen for parties.
The Mellini Suite (1,200 square feet) on the third floor has two king bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a living room and a dining area, along with a small terrace (300 square feet). The primary bedroom has four large windows that flood the room with light and overlook the historic center.
The Salviati Suite (828 square feet) can be combined with the Corner Suite (769 square feet), which would then include a private corridor and two living areas. The suites overlook both the street and the courtyard and have been soundproofed against traffic noise. There is a small terrace off the Salviati Suite. Both suites have one bedroom and one bath; the Corner Suite has living and dining space.
The spa at the Six Senses is a sleek travertine sanctum, with a Roman bathing circuit and multiple treatment rooms. There are dozens of possibilities here, from Hammam to massage to biohacking treatments.
Marketing Executive Elisa Serra is on hand for questions and support. Contact her at [email protected] or via +39-328-232-9308. The general manager is Francesca Tozzi ([email protected]).
Exciting news for admirers of the 12th-century Castello Antognolia near Perugia—the stunning country castle and golf course is being renovated and the latest word is that it will open as a Six Senses property in 2025.
For those guests looking for sustenance outside their hotel or apartment, here are some additions to our list of fav dining spots in central Roma.
- Il Falchetto da Donato, 100 years of good food: www.ristoranteilfalchetto.it
- La Buca di Ripetta, excellent traditional dishes: www.labucadiripetta.it
- Pesciolino, fresh fish: www.pesciolino.eu
- Trattoria da Danilo, local cuisine; www.trattoriadadanilo.com
- Osteria al 31, for lunch near the Spanish Steps: www.osteriaal31.it
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