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| The St. Regis Rome’s Royal Suite is traditional in its decor, and at almost 4,000 square feet, it has a large living room, which includes a grand piano. |
Though the Colosseum always remains in its place, the hotel scene in the Eternal City never stands still. New properties arise while Grand Dames renew themselves. Here are five diverse choices for the traveler looking for more than just a bed.
How can you say no when a butler arrives at your door and offers to unpack your suitcases? Personal butlers are the norm at St. Regis properties around the world and The St. Regis Rome is no exception.
Opened as the Grand Hotel by the famous César Ritz in 1894, it became the first St. Regis in Europe in 2000 following a $35 million refurbishment. In 2014, Starwood sold the hotel to Constellation but will continue to manage the property on a long-term basis. Although the St Regis (Via V.E. Orlando 3,00185 Rome) is already one of the most beautiful hotels in Rome, another renovation is scheduled for Spring 2016.
The Designer Suite (No. 123) is decorated in contemporary neutrals, accented with antiques and hung with Rome-themed paintings by local emerging artists. It has one bedroom but can be connected to the Royal Suite to enlarge the combined space to up to three bedrooms. The Designer Suite has a very large shower and a Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom; there is a walk-in closet large enough for a long Roman holiday.
The Royal Suite (No. 131) is traditional in its decor and at almost 4,000 square feet it has space for a very large living room, a dining room with marble table, a private wine cellar, a library and a private kitchen with outside door. The Rolling Stones and Lady Gaga have stayed in this suite, where the shower is an entire room and there are two dressing rooms off the master bedroom.
Other suites of note at the St Regis are the Bottega Veneta (No. 431), a corner suite, which can be enlarged to three bedrooms, and the three-bedroom Couture Suite overlooking the Fountain of Najadi near the Piazza della Repubblica. Of course, the decor of No. 431 includes the sumptuous woven leather identified with the Bottega Veneta brand, while the Couture Suite evokes the dynamic history of the Italian fashion designers. Junior Suite No. 326 is lovely and comfortable, with a sitting area, large bathroom, master bedroom and, of course, the services of the butler.
Complex GM of Starwood properties in Rome is Marc Lannoy ([email protected]; 011-390-647-082-700). Alessandro Buono (ales [email protected]; 011-390-647-082-831) is account director Rome.
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| Hotel d’Inghilterra’s Penthouse Suite has a large living room, dining room with working fireplace and a huge terrace overlooking the rooftops of Rome. |
Hotel d’Inghilterra is imbued with poetry and romance, with a long history of famous guests, from the English poet John Keats to Elizabeth Taylor. Located in a 15th-century building that became a hotel in 1845, d’Inghilterra is a favorite rest stop for shoppers who enjoy the delights of the Via Condotti, Via Borgognona and Via Frattina.
The Penthouse Suite (sixth floor) is d’Inghilterra’s star attraction. Above the fray of the historic center, it has a large living room, dining room with working fireplace and a huge 2,150-square-foot terrace overlooking the rooftops of Rome, from the Villa Medici to the Vittorio Emanuele monument. There are two bathrooms, one bedroom and a study. It’s possible to have certain spa services, such as massages, in the suite. The hotel is aligned with Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
If you decide to venture out of your suite, the hotel has a wide ranging breakfast buffet, a sidewalk cafe and elegant salons, which were renovated in 2012. Hotel d’Inghilterra (Via Bocca de Leone 14, 00187, Rome) is managed by General Manager Gianluca Giglio (011-390-669-9811; fax 011-390-669-922-243) and Hotel Manager Massimo Colli. For reservations, call 011-390-687-503-987; fax 011-390-687-50398; or e-mail at [email protected].
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| The Westin Excelsior’s Imperial Suite has a circular sitting room with wide windows overlooking the gardens of the American Embassy and the Via Veneto. |
Starwood’s The Westin Excelsior is a favorite of those who love Via Veneto and the dream of “La Dolce Vita.” All of the rooms in the hotel were renovated during 2014-15. The fabulous Villa La Cupola Suite has just been upgraded to the tune of 8 million euros, including the highest of tech.
La Cupola is reached by a private elevator to the sixth floor, providing the utmost privacy for those arriving via the diplomatic entrance. The sumptuous suite is on two floors and can be arranged with up to seven bedrooms, with marble bathrooms for each. There is the round living room with its frescoed domed ceiling, a library, wine cellar, dining room, sauna and kitchen. And, there is a private cinema room, a private spa, a private gym and a wrap-around terrace that overlooks the American Embassy, the fabled Via Veneto and the rooftops of Rome.
The Imperial Suite on the first floor can be one or two bedrooms. The Empire design, with many antiques original to the hotel, reflects the light coming from the terrace overlooking Via Veneto. There is a large living room, and raised dining area. The kitchen is ideal for those VIPs who wish to bring their own chef.
In keeping with the Excelsior’s history of welcoming presidents and kings, the hotel also offers the old-world elegance of the Veneto Suite (No. 308) as another option. Full of light, it’s decorated in reds and greens, along with art by emerging young artists. There is a Jacuzzi and separate shower in the marble bathroom, with an additional bathroom if another bedroom is connected.
The Excelsior’s Doney Restaurant is a Rome landmark; it was completely redone recently and is open for all-day dining. The sidewalk tables offer people-watching to the "nth" degree.
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| Rome Cavalieri’s 2,500-square-foot Penthouse Suite is decorated with works of art, including a Warhol series. |
When the terrace of your suite has a private entrance to Rome’s only 3-star Michelin restaurant, you know you’ve checked into the two-level Penthouse Suite at the Rome Cavalieri. Rome is known for having top-rated restaurants in its hotels and the Heinz Beck flagship, La Pergola, is at the top.
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| Rome Cavalieri’s Penthouse Suite comes with a 2,700-square-foot private roof garden with Jacuzzi. |
High on Monte Mario, the Rome Cavalieri (Waldorf Astoria) is the only resort property within the city of Rome, with suites overlooking the entire city. The 2,500-square-foot Penthouse on the eighth and ninth floors features four balconies, Andy Warhol printings, wines chosen from the hotel’s 50,000-bottle cellar, an emotional shower and chromotherapy, a whirlpool, a private gym and a 2,700-square-foot private roof garden with Jacuzzi that perches over a postcard landscape that Julius Caesar could only have imagined. The suite can be extended to include another bedroom. Technology here includes three large screen HD TVs (two with media hubs), Wi-Fi, independent phone lines and integrated security system. There is a chauffeured Bentley at the disposal of those staying in the Penthouse Suite.
The 15 acres of park surrounding the hotel is a draw for those who want to enjoy three swimming pools, tennis and jogging trails, knowing they can get to the Spanish Steps in 20 minutes.
The Corner Cavalieri Suite (No. 401-403) is the only junior suite designed with separate living rooms and bedrooms. There is a foyer, a balcony and one bath with a separate shower and tub. We also saw one of four Vista Suites (No. 845), which is very large and decorated with dark woods. This one has an inspirational view of St. Peter’s. It’s possible to connect another bedroom to this suite or to connect it to the Petronius Suite, resulting in more than 5,000 square feet of space. The Planetarium Suite is a slightly smaller version of the Penthouse Suite, located at the opposite end of the hotel.
Alessandro Cabella ([email protected]; 011-390-635-092-050) is the managing director and Britta Krug ([email protected]; 011-390-635-091-298) is director of business development. The hotel is located at Via Alberto Cadlolo 101, 00136 Rome.
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| J.K. Place Roma’s Master Room offers a contemporary living room, a canopied king in the bedrooms and a walk-in closet. |
We fell in love with J.K. Place and Michele Bönan’s marine-themed decor when we visited Anacapri a few years ago. Now we’re doing it again, with J.K. Place Roma and its laid back luxury. Here, in this rehabilitated 17th-century building, Bönan has used neutrals accented by splashes of neon colors, along with both mid-century and antique furniture. The ambiance is “welcome home,” that is if your house is tucked away on a discreet street near the Via Condotti in Rome’s historic center.
Among the 30 rooms are four suites, called Master Rooms. No. 12 at 500 square feet offers a contemporary living room with sofa bed, a canopied king in the bedrooms, a walk-in closet and a striped marble bathroom with rain shower. No. 26 has a similar layout, but includes both a bathtub and a shower.
Owner Ori Kafri, a Florentine, believes in “bespoke hospitality.” In other words, room service will provide breakfast all day, a balm for jet lag or the results of enjoying too much vino (after all, Rome is the only capital in Europe sited within a grand cru region). There is babysitting available (for humans), and pets up to 22 pounds are welcome. The J.K. Café is an alluring spot, whether it’s for a meal, a snack or an aperitivo. By the end of 2015, there will be a rooftop terrace and bar, which will add outside space.
Contact Reservation Manager Marina Verkhotina or her assistant, Ferdinando ([email protected]; 011-390-698-2634; fax 011-390-698-263-499). GM is Samuel Porreca ([email protected]). The hotel is located at Via Monte d’Oro 30, 00186 Rome.
ACCESS ROME: Dining and Shopping
Restaurants
Unlike many world capitals, some of Rome’s legendary restaurants are located in hotels, often in rooftop spaces overlooking the city. Of the 16 awarded Michelin stars (2015 list) there are six hotel-based restaurants:
3 stars (one of only eight in Italy):
La Pergola
Executive Chef: Heinz Beck
Mediterranean cuisine
Rome Cavalieri, Via Alberto Cadlolo 101, 00136 Roma
Tel. 011-390-635-091; Fax 011-390-635-092-165
[email protected]
www.romecavalieri.com/lapergola.php
2 stars:
Oliver Glowig
Chef: Oliver Glowig
Traditional/experimental cuisine
Aldrovandi Villa Borghese
Via Ulisse Aldrovandi 15, 00197 Roma
Tel. 011-39-063-216-126
[email protected]
www.oliverglowig.com
1 star:
La Terrazza dell’Eden
Executive Chef: Fabio Ciervo Mediterranean cuisine
Hotel Eden, Via Ludovisi 49, 00187 Roma
Tel. 011-390-647-812-752
[email protected]
www.dorchestercollection.com/en/rome/hotel-eden/
All’Oro
Chef: Riccardo di Giacinto Roman cuisine
The First Luxury Art Hotel, Via del Vantaggio 14, 00186 Roma
Tel. 011-390-697-996-907
[email protected]
www.ristorantealloro.it
Imàgo
Head Chef: Francesco Apreda Italian Fusion Cuisine
Hassler Hotel, Piazza Trinità dei Monti 6, 00187 Roma
Tel. 011-39-069-934-726
[email protected]
www.hotelhasslerroma.com
Aroma
Chef: Giuseppe Di Iorio Regional Italian cuisine
Palazzo Manfredi, Via Labicana 125, 00184 Roma
Tel. 011-390-677-591-380
[email protected]
www.aromarestaurant.it
Other Roman restaurants to enjoy:
Vivendo
Chef: Francesco Donatelli
Mediterranean cuisine, The St Regis Hotel, Via Vittorio E. Orlando 3, 00185 Rome
Tel. 011-390-647-092-736
[email protected]
www.stregis.com/rome
Enoteca la Torre a Villa Laetitia
(Fendi family villa)
Chef: Danilo Ciavattini
Italian country cuisine
Lungotevere dell Armi, 22/23, 00195 Roma
Tel . 011-390-645-668-304
[email protected]
www.enotecalatorreroma.com/en/villa-laetitia/
Glass Hostaria
Chef: Cristina Bowerman (1 Michelin star)
Vicolo de’ Cinque 58, 00153 Roma
Tel. 011-390-658-335-903
[email protected]
www.glass-restaurant.it
Shopping
The great shopping streets include Via dei Condotti (designer), Via Borgognona (designer), Via del Governo Vecchio (trendy boutiques), Via Giulia (art and antiques) and Via Babuino (designer, jewelry).
Some special places are:
Femme Sistina (Personal shopping and mini-spa by appointment)
Tel. 011-39-066-780-260
[email protected]
Via Sistina 75, 00187 Roma
www.femmesistina.com
Boutique Damiani (Custom designed jewelry)
Via dei Condotti 84, 00187 Roma
www.damiani.com
Nuyorica (Contemporary style)
Piazza della Pollarola 36, 00186 Roma
Battistoni (Bespoke Tailoring)
Via dei Condotti 61A, 00187 Roma
www.battistoni.com