New in Rome: Hotel de la Ville, a Rocco Forte Hotel Opens

Rocco Forte Hotels has opened their second hotel in Rome, Hotel de la Ville, following a renovation to the historic 18th-century palazzo. The new hotel is set in the heart of Rome, atop the Spanish steps.

The 104-room hotel also offers signature suites with panoramic views of the city from their large terraces. The Suite de la Ville, located on the eighth floor and accessible by a private elevator, is the hotel’s crown jewel, furnished with a curated collection of contemporary and antique furniture and its own collection of art, plus two panoramic terraces. Designer Tommaso Ziffer, in collaboration with Olga Polizzi, director of design for Rocco Forte Hotels, was inspired by the grand tour of the 18th century, when English and German nobles collected pieces of art during their cultural journeys to European cities. Using the backdrop of the palazzo, Ziffer has recreated a contemporary retrospective of the grand tour. Working with local artisans, the style of the 18th century is shown through handmade wallpaper from local designers Rubelli and Dedar, Italian fabrics and historic tapestries from Zardi & Zardi.

Hotel de la Ville is home to six food and beverage outlets, where celebrated chef and creative director of food for Rocco Forte Hotels, Fulvio Pierangelini, has created a menu ranging from the most classic of Italian dishes to creative modern Mediterranean delicacies. The diverse offering ranges from all day dining at Da Sistina, serving trattoria-style food with modern touches, to Mosaico, the hotel’s main restaurant serving Mediterranean gourmet cuisine in a spot overlooking the courtyard. The Julep bar offers all varieties of cocktails, while the rooftop terrace bar, aptly named Cielo, will be entertaining guests with hand-crafted drinks, a fusion of “aperitivi” and views of the Roman skyline.    

At the center of the hotel is the enchanting courtyard. Fusing three buildings into one, the courtyard is designed by George Carter, who specializes in creating gardens inspired by the simple geometry of the 17th century. To keep within the grand tour concept, Carter added obelisks, greenery and black and gold touches.

Bringing a piece of Sicily to Rome, the Rocco Forte Spa offers treatments carried out by an expert team of therapists using Irene Forte Skincare products. Hotel de la Ville also offers guests the chance to explore the city by foot with the help of a team of concierges, who can create tailor-made experiences.

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