"D.O.M. The D.O.M., which opened in late 2013, is a five-star boutique hotel in the heart of Rome ’s historic center. Originally built as a 17 th -century noble palace, the property was subsequently converted into a monastery, then Ministry of Justice offices. Its current design, which blends architectural elements from its previous uses, was entrusted to architect Antonio Girardi, who has seamlessly married Renaissance reverence and modern design. Thanks to the previous ecclesiastical incarnation, rooms are intimate and many have low ceilings. Dark gray and brown hues mingle with velveteen, brick, and wood, creating a cavernous feel in the ground-floor common areas, which contrast with the bright and open rooftop terrace and its views over Rome’s Renaissance quarter and across the river to Trastevere . On the ground floor, a small reception area precedes the hotel bar and restaurant, as well as a small enclosed terrace."

"The newest addition to Rome ’s growing number of boutique luxury accommodations opened in central Rome in March 2015 on a square just off the exuberantly Baroque Piazza Navona. The suites-only hotel is the work of hoteliers Emanuele Garosci and Gabriele Salini, who blend mirrored and distressed surfaces with modern design elements and Venetian artwork—a nod to G-Rough’s sister, PalazzinaG in Venice . The only things remotely “rough” about the place are the walls, which have been artfully stripped down to reveal textured strata of centuries-old paper and paint. The G-Rough is composed of 10 suites spread over all five floors of a 16 th -century palace. Half of the rooms in this former noble residence offer views of the pretty and intermittently noisy square, while the others face a quiet internal courtyard. Each floor is inspired by the work of a different Italian designer, including Giò Ponti and Ico Parisi, and rooms feature design pieces by contemporary artists."

"Why we love it: A palazzo-turned-hotel that marries the classic and contemporary sides of Rome The Highlights: - Sumptuous guestrooms that recall 18th-century Europe - A Sicilian-inspired spa with a thermal suite - A rooftop bar with sweeping views across Rome The Review: All Rocco Forte hotels are landmarks, occupying notable buildings in carefully chosen locations around the globe—and Hotel de la Ville is no exception. Situated at the top of the Spanish Steps, the hotel is housed in an 18th-century palazzo, complete with 104 upscale rooms and suites designed by Tommaso Ziffer in collaboration with Rocco Forte design director Olga Polizzi. The duo drew influence from the era of the Grand Tour, including playful furniture and rich textiles that might have been collected during the journey, plus traditional wooden floors, elegant marble bathrooms, and large windows overlooking the rooftops of Rome. All rooms also come outfitted with Irene Forte Skincare products, plush robes and slippers, and healthy minibars upon request. When staying here, don’t miss your chance to experience the on-site De La Ville Spa, a Sicilian-inspired sanctuary featuring five treatment rooms, an ice fountain, a hydro pool, and a Mediterranean-inspired salt room. Also worth visiting are any of the hotel’s four food and drink outlets, including Da Sistina, a ground-floor trattoria specializing in classic Roman cuisine and biodynamic wines. For something less traditional, head to the rooftop terrace bar, where the team serves Roman dim sum alongside Champagne cocktails and panoramic city views."

"Hotel Hassler Since its founding in 1893, the Hassler has been a pillar of luxury accommodation in Rome . This five-star hotel is perched theatrically atop Trinità dei Monti, the hill at the apex of the Spanish Steps, providing dazzling vistas over Rome’s rooftop terraces and church domes. More than a century after opening, the hotel remains privately owned. Generations dedicated to carefully cultivating a loyal clientele have made the Hassler the destination of choice for many royal and celebrity visitors to Rome. Accordingly, the staff is well-equipped to fulfill every imaginable whim and desire, regardless of how outlandish. The formal service and decor hark back to the last days of the Grand Tour when European and American elite converged on Rome for its cultural—and couture—offerings, a tradition that still thrives in places like this. The Hassler oozes Old World charm, and its nearly 100 rooms are clad in marble, embellished with antiques, and accented with gilded furnishings, a reminder of the city’s late 19 th -century splendor. The common areas are similarly lavish and offer palatial settings for meetings, cocktails, and lounging. Just across the Piazza Trinità dei Monti, the Hassler’s second property, Il Palazzetto, offers accommodations with a lot less gilding but no less class."

"Hotel Indigo Rome – St. George The St. George, opened in 2007, was recently purchased and renovated by Indigo, an international luxury hotel chain. The new owners have taken care to preserve the unique elements of the original structure, including an exterior of roughly hewn travertine. These white limestone blocks were laid in the 16 th century by Bramante; Pope Julius II commissioned the architect to build the Palace of Justice on his newly laid Via Giulia. Bramante never completed the project, but part of the building has been adapted into the current structure. Inside, the surfaces are smooth-polished limestone punctuated with contemporary art. Throughout, the decor blends modern design with classic details, often in the form of art pieces inspired by the very Renaissance masters who once strolled the cobblestones outside, so many centuries ago. After a day traversing the city, unwind Roman-style, in the St. George’s subterranean spa. Never mind that they call the spa facilities a Turkish bath; the hot and cold bathing ritual was perfected by the ancient Romans not far from the hotel itself. After indulging in spa treatments, head to the rooftop bar for drinks and views of the river to Trastevere."

"The Hotel Locarno occupies two adjacent buildings in the cosmopolitan district between the Tiber River and Piazza del Popolo. The original property, built and inaugurated in the 1920s, houses the majority of the standard and deluxe rooms, while the annex, a former palazzo owned by a Venetian family, houses the more luxurious suites. Both of the adjoined structures blend Old World charm and art nouveau elegance, and their rooms preserve turn-of-the-20 th -century decor, including lavish drapery, oil paintings, embellished ceiling stuccoes, and period furniture. The two buildings are joined by a wisteria-filled courtyard, where breakfast is served in fine weather. The rooftop bar offers aperitivo (the Italian version of happy hour) cocktail service and sweeping views over the city and across the river to St. Peter’s cupola. The bar is open to the public and attracts a well-heeled Roman and expat crowd."

"Part of the Planetaria Hotel Group, an Italian chain of 4- and 5-star hotels, the Hotel Pulitzer is located in a residential and business district near Rome ’s southwest periphery. Given its proximity to conference centers and a popular music venue, the hotel appeals mainly to business travelers and concertgoers. But the Pulitzer is by no means a sterile home base. On the contrary, it’s laid-back and homey, with a comfortable lobby and a helpful staff. Adding to the mellow atmosphere, a sweet black-and-white cocker spaniel named Joe Cocker circulates through the lounge. The common areas and rooms in this pet-friendly hotel are bright and feature wood accents, modern sculptures, and framed prints blending down-to-earth, classic decor with contemporary flair. The sixth-floor roof terrace, popular in summer, is trimmed by olive trees and provides panoramic views of lesser-known parts of Rome. The centerpiece of the terrace is a bubbling Jacuzzi."

"Via Dandolo, an early 20 th -century street, winds its way up the slopes of Rome ’s Janiculum Hill from Trastevere to Monteverde Vecchio. Along its sinewy path are villas built for elite families during the 1920s and ’30s. Leafy gardens are abundant with jasmine and shaded by palms. This is a part of the city that visitors rarely get to experience, but Angelo Angius has transformed the top floors of a villa into an attractive B&B providing a unique peek into a secret side of Rome. Il Boom’s three spacious, light-filled rooms are each named for an Italian actress—Sofia Loren, Monica Vitti, Anna Magnani—and have artwork to match. Loren has a view of the surrounding gardens, Magnani has a view of Rome, and Vitti has a private balcony. The common areas include two panoramic terraces outfitted with umbrellas, deck chairs, and tables. There are three cats and five turtles that hang out in the communal garden."

"This luxury guesthouse is located at the very end of Via dei Condotti, Rome ’s couture shopping epicenter, and on the edge of Piazza di Spagna, one of the busiest tourist districts in town. Accordingly, the location is more appealing for low-season sojourns than it is for high-season holidays. The Inn’s annex nearby, at Via dei Condotti 48, offers some quiet rooms with interior courtyard views and others that face onto the street. The building, formerly an 18 th -century noble townhouse, has been embellished in somewhat generic Old World meets contemporary decor, but there are a few accents that set it apart from the neighboring properties, such as traces of period frescoes in the deluxe rooms and the wrought-iron balconies in rooms facing onto Via dei Condotti and Piazza di Spagna. Another draw is the rooftop terrace, ideal for drinks paired with views. The Inn is pet friendly, a rarity among properties in this category."

"Opened in 2013 in a building that previously housed the University of Rome ’s architecture department, JK Place is one of the newer additions to Rome’s growing number of high-end luxury boutique hotels. It is located near the intersection of Via Del Corso and Via dei Condotti, Rome’s most chaotic shopping nexus, but it is just far enough away from the action to maintain an air of seclusion, a rarity for the zone. Behind the hotel’s unassuming doorway, classrooms and offices have been transformed into an effortlessly cool retreat. Like its siblings in Florence and Capri, the JK Place Rome is eclectically decorated and packed with artwork. Rooms feature canopied beds, sculptures, and sleek bathrooms decked out in Italian marble. The JK Café Bistro and bar attract well-heeled locals, giving the hotel a more down-to-earth vibe than its boutique neighbors, without sacrificing its unquestionable elegance."

"Built on the ruins of an ancient seaside villa, La Posta Vecchia has a long history of noble ownership. The estate-turned-hotel was originally laid out in the 17 th century. Then, in the 1960s, American billionaire J. Paul Getty purchased the property and turned it into his seaside home. During Getty’s residence, the palace was outfitted with ancient works of art, as well as original works and furnishings from the 15 th through 17 th centuries. The estate now belongs to the Sciò family, who have transformed it into one of the Leading Hotels of the World. The 19 rooms, including 8 suites, are spacious, and many offer views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Each is outfitted with antique furnishings, while bathrooms are clad in precious marbles. Although La Posta Vecchia is only 30 miles northwest of Rome (about a one-hour drive, traffic permitting), it should be treated as a destination hotel rather than a home base for day trips to the Italian capital. To make the most of the luxurious accommodations, tack a dedicated stay onto the beginning or end of a visit to Rome."

"The doorway of the Portrait Roma is one of a growing number of blink-and-you-miss-it boutique hotel entrances behind which contemporary luxuries await. Tucked behind an unassuming facade on a side street off the busy Via dei Condotti, the Portrait Roma is part of the Lungarno Collection, a small group of boutique hotels owned by the Ferragamo fashion house. Opened in 2006, the property prides itself on customized service, and each of the rooms comes with a Lifestyle Manager, or 24-hour concierge, who provides personalized holiday management throughout the stay based partly on the guest questionnaire completed before arrival. All 14 rooms are suites, and each is classically decorated and designed to mirror the prestige of the Ferragamo brand. Rooms are accented with linen, leather, and cashmere, as well as artwork that evokes the beauty and spirit of Ferragamo. Weather permitting, the rooftop terrace hosts food and drink service and offers views of the historic center."

"The Rome Cavalieri, like the Hassler and St. Regis, is synonymous with five-star luxury in Rome . The hotel, opened in the 1960s, channels a Versailles-meets–Dolce Vita vibe, and given its unbridled opulence, it’s a top destination for honeymooners and jet-setters seeking the ultimate comforts. Its location atop Montemario, a hillside residential district north of the Vatican, offers spectacular views of the city from various terraced levels and many of the rooms. The very location, affording such panoramas, is also a drawback for travelers wishing to be in the thick of it all, so the Rome Cavalieri is best suited to those who relish spending significant time in the hotel rather than out on the town. There are plenty of appealing amenities for guests who choose to stick around the property. The outdoor pools, the finest in Rome, are set amid lush gardens. The pool area doubles as a sort of private club for local elite and is ripe for Italian athlete and celebrity sightings. Back inside, the lobby and rooms are sumptuously furnished and feature antiques and original works of art."

"The mile-long Via del Corso was, and remains, among Rome ’s most prestigious addresses. The modern street follows an ancient triumphal route and is trimmed by palaces built by popes and noble families. The San Carlo Suite, named for a nearby church, consists exclusively of suites, most set on the third floor of one such palace. The suites and common areas are meant to feel intimate and homey, although the rooms that feature a tub beside the bed may be taking it a step too far—or not far enough, depending on your preferences. Rooms are decorated in earth tones with splashes of color, and the furnishings embrace clean lines and minimalist design. Although the San Carlo Suite has on-site staff, the reception and concierge areas are in a sister property, Giglio d’Oro Suite , near Piazza Navona. Guests at the San Carlo Suite can contact a virtual concierge via Skype."

"The First Roma Dolce Why we love it: A lavish boutique hotel that delivers big on la dolce vita The Highlights: - A prime location on Via del Corso, near the Spanish Steps - Personalized touches like welcome pastries and libraries in each room - An on-site restaurant themed around sweets The Review: Just 23 rooms are available to book at this boutique hotel, which opened in Rome’s culturally rich Historical Center this April, just footsteps from its sister property, The First Roma Arte. Originally designed by Italian architect and urban planner Giuseppe Valadier, the 19th-century building marries the comforts of a private home with the energy of surrounding Via del Corso, known as one of the city’s most charming streets. Several rooms boast a view of the action, while others overlook a serene interior courtyard, but all come with an array of comforts, including headboard libraries, bathrooms clad in Italian Saint Laurent marble, and Acqua di Parma toiletries. Suites even include Technogym equipment upon request. That latter amenity can come in handy here, where “dessert first” is the unspoken motto. Find it in the property name, of course, but also in homemade pastries upon arrival, a full English afternoon tea with an Italian focus, and the menu at VELO, the hotel’s patisserie-themed restaurant. Should you not be one for sweets, the eatery also offers authentic Italian dishes like caprese salad, spaghetti Amatriciana, and beef filet with vegetables."

"Why we love it: An apartment-style hotel designed by acclaimed architect Jean Nouvel The Highlights: - Individually decorated rooms with modern appliances created for longer stays - A thoughtful mix of modern and historic design elements - A rooftop lounge that looks out over the Roman Forum The Review: When the Fondazione Alda Fendi-Esperimenti acquired the Palazzo Rhinoceros—a 17th-century palace near the Roman Forum—and handed renovations over to Jean Nouvel, something special was bound to happen. The renowned French architect transformed the historic palace a stone’s throw from Rome’s birthplace on Palatine Hill into a 24-apartment sanctuary for guests staying anywhere from one night to one year. The apartments—which all have kitchens designed for longer stays—each have their own unique layout with sliding steel walls so you can close off the living room from the bedroom, or create one massive space. Even though the use of steel materials and contemporary furnishings makes for a thoroughly modern atmosphere, Nouvel kept some old paint intact and installed window panels with photographs of the space before renovations to help tie the property to its historic location.For the best views in the building, head to the six-floor terrace, where you can take in the sunset over the Roman Forum with a cocktail in hand. By Lyndsey Matthews"

"Opened by Carlo Ritz in 1894, the St. Regis belongs to a particular category of five-star hotels in Rome in which Old World glamour is alive and well. While the current trend in town is toward boutique hotels and converted townhouses, the St. Regis is palatial and uncompromisingly opulent. In the century (plus) since opening its doors on the crest of the Quirinal hill, the hotel has remained a beacon of luxury, and indeed many of the hotels on the nearby Via Veneto, Rome’s luxury hotel row, take their cues from this long-established pioneer. The entrance through the marble portico just off Piazza della Repubblica leads directly into a grand salon furnished with overstuffed chairs, chandeliers, and antiques. The grandeur continues in the rooms, where classic style and sophistication reign. Owing to its elite clientele, the hotel’s 23 suites come with 24-hour butler service, while the aficionado program is designed to provide exclusive access to sites and special experiences including road trips designed by the Ferrari racing team or helicopter rides to wine estates."