Rome is the city that invented luxury — the city where the concept of the grand hotel, the fine restaurant, and the art of living well were first codified. Its finest hotels understand that they are part of a tradition that stretches back two millennia.
The Roman Hotel Geography
Rome's luxury hotels are concentrated in two areas: the historic centre, around the Spanish Steps, the Via Veneto, and the Piazza Navona; and the newer residential neighbourhoods to the north and east of the centre. The historic centre hotels — the Hassler, the de Russie, the Eden — offer the most extraordinary locations, with views over the city's domes and rooftops that have been inspiring visitors since the Grand Tour.
For most visitors, the historic centre is the right choice: the ability to walk to the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and the Piazza Navona from your hotel is one of the great pleasures of staying in Rome, and it is a pleasure that no amount of taxi rides can replicate.
Bulgari Hotel Roma: The Garden Sanctuary
The Bulgari Hotel Roma, which opened in 2022 in a 19th-century palazzo adjacent to the Villa Borghese gardens, is the most significant new luxury hotel to open in Rome in a decade. The building — designed by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, the architects responsible for the Bulgari hotels in Milan, London, and Dubai — is a masterpiece of contemporary Italian design: clean lines, extraordinary materials, and a level of craftsmanship that reflects the Bulgari brand's jewellery heritage.
The hotel's garden, which connects directly to the Villa Borghese, is the finest hotel garden in Rome: a private park of ancient trees, fountains, and manicured lawns that provides a sanctuary from the city's noise and crowds.
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Hotel Hassler Roma: The Spanish Steps View
The Hotel Hassler Roma has occupied the top of the Spanish Steps since 1893, and its position — directly above one of the most famous landmarks in the world — remains the most extraordinary hotel location in Rome. The 87 rooms and suites are furnished with a combination of Roman antiques and contemporary Italian design that reflects the hotel's long history of welcoming the world's most discerning guests.
The Imàgo restaurant on the top floor, which serves contemporary Roman cuisine with views over the city's rooftops, is one of the finest hotel restaurants in Italy.
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The Editor's Verdict
Rome is a city that rewards the traveller who is willing to be lost. The greatest Roman experiences — the discovery of a Baroque church you had not planned to visit, the stumbling upon a neighbourhood trattoria that serves the best cacio e pepe you have ever eaten, the moment when you turn a corner and find yourself face to face with the Pantheon — are not experiences that can be planned.
For a first visit, the Hotel de Russie provides the most complete Roman experience: extraordinary garden, central location, and a level of service that understands the city's particular combination of grandeur and intimacy.
Our editors travel extensively to verify every recommendation. All hotel reviews are independent — we accept no payment for editorial coverage.
