When In Rome, Stay At The Hotel De La Ville
Views from Cielo, Hotel de la Ville’s rooftop restaurant, are some of the best in Rome.
Hotel de la Ville, a Rocco Forte Hotel
On my very first visit to Rome, I got very lucky. There, at the top of the Spanish Steps, in the heart of Rome and just a 10-minute stroll from the Trevi Fountain, I found the Hotel de la Ville. Its façade was unassuming, but the minute the door opened before me – by a smartly dressed doorman bedecked in vest and top hat, no less – I was swept into the luxury that this hotel embodies.
Hotel de la Ville has better balance than a Cirque de Soleil performer. It somehow manages to be in the center of everything yet provide a respite from the hustle and bustle. It sits atop Rome yet is very much a part of it. Its décor toes the line between historic and contemporary. And while its very upscale atmosphere could easily tumble into the snooty realm, it never does – it’s comfortable, warm, and hospitable.
One or more members of the reception staff will greet you upon arrival and escort you to your room for early check-in. Hotel de la Ville seems to get that first impressions are everything – you’ll walk through a corridor of assorted globe-shaped mirrors before stepping into a glass elevator that silently whisks you to your floor. Stepping out into the hallway, you’ll find rooms ensconced behind heavy red doors accented with gold, centered knobs reminiscent of the Grand Tour period in Europe.
A premium room in the Hotel de la Ville is spacious and elegant and offers views of the Via Sistina.
Hotel de la Ville, a Rocco Forte Hotel
From there you’ll find a sumptuous stay, whether you opt for a superior room or a grand suite. Expect a gorgeous marble bathroom with a claw-footed tub, Irene Forte Skincare products, a rain shower, and heated towels. Opulent king-sized beds dressed in luxurious bedding are exactly what the doctor ordered after a long day of walking the cobblestone streets of the Eternal City.
Because I had a lot to see on my short visit to Rome, I relied on the concierge staff for guidance. This is where the hotel really shines. Hotel de la Ville concierges supply maps of the city so you can plot out routes that hit the highpoints. They also recommend hidden local restaurants that are so mouthwateringly unforgettable, they’ll comprise some of your favorite moments in Rome. My concierge gladly made reservations, called for taxis, and thought of things I didn’t. After arranging an early morning car service to the airport, she also made sure we left with coffee in hand. It’s the little things, after all.
A selection of Dream Portraits, individually sculpted renditions of your brainwaves as you sleep. It’s the ultimate souvenir from your stay at Hotel de la Ville in Rome.
GIORGIO BENNI
Hotel de la Ville caters to discerning travelers and offers programs that are entirely unique to the hotel. Its newest, Dream Portraits, gives you a sense of how innovative the hotel is willing to be. First, choose your stay in one of 15 suites or 5 luxury apartments in the 18th century palazzo. Upon arrival, you’ll be fitted for an EEG headset that records brain activity during REM sleep. While you’re in dreamland, the device produces a recording of your brain waves, which are then captured through a 3D printer. Then local artist Matteo Nasini and his team work their magic to turn your dreams into a porcelain sculpture that is guaranteed to be a conversation piece at every future dinner party. It’s a pricey reminder of Rome at about €15,000.00, but it’s certainly one-of-a-kind.
As is this Rocco Forte hotel. Its variety of rooms and suites, prime location and views, and unparalleled hospitality make it a fantastic stay when in Rome.
