Villa Laetitia

"Anna Fendi (of the fashion empire) acquired a fabulous Art Nouveau mansion along the Tiber River with a foresteria, or guest villa, behind it, and has transformed the latter into Villa Laetitia, a 15-room hotel. (There are plans to open seven suites in the main mansion.) Set far back from the street in the meandering gardens and eclectically decorated by Anna and two of her daughters, the compact rooms mix modernism with design pieces from the ’30s and ’40s, ranging from Hoffman-style woodwork to bold black-and-white checkerboard fabrics and antique tiles. Each has a kitchenette, and most have direct access to the garden. Ground-floor public rooms are beautifully restored, with faux marble pillars, ceiling flourishes of stucco angels, and intricate wrought iron balustrades on the grand marble staircase. There are flamboyant chandeliers on every level and glass archways in the Victorian conservatory at the back of the main mansion facing the garden. In keeping with the residential atmosphere, staff are friendly but few. Still, fashion mavens will love the style and the tranquil location, just a 15-minute walk from Piazza del Popolo."