Hotel Eden
A historic gem once popular with Fellini and the Dolce Vita crowd, the Hotel Eden recently reopened after a 17-month renovation and is better than ever. On a quiet street near the Villa Borghese, it has a timelessly luxurious style. The elegant, cream-toned rooms and suites have marble bathrooms, Bottega Veneta amenities and high-tech touches like iPads that control the temperature. Two rooftop restaurants offer fabulous dining options. Il Giardino, where breakfast is served, is perfect for a casual meal with panoramic views, but don’t miss dinner at La Terraza, where Chef Fabio Ciervo shines with sophisticated takes on Italian classics like spaghetti cacio e pepe flavored with Malagasy wild black pepper and rose buds.
Who it’s best for: Food-lovers; fans of classic (but not fusty) interiors; well-off families.
Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel
If your taste is more understated than over-the-top, the Hotel de Russie is the place for you. Hidden behind a discreet facade just off Piazza del Popolo, it’s a favorite of tycoons and tastemakers. Expect outstanding yet unpretentious service and tasteful, modern design accented by colorful fabrics, Fornasetti wallpaper and ancient Roman statuettes. The hotel is justly beloved for its garden courtyard. Sipping an alfresco Aperol Spritz surrounded by lush plants may be the best way to spend an afternoon in Rome (other than shopping!).
Who it’s best for: Jet-setters and those who want a glamorous scene.
J.K. Place Roma
If it’s privacy and discretion you’re after, there’s no better place than J.K. Place Roma. Tucked away on a side street near the Spanish Steps, the hotel feels like the home of extremely stylish Roman friends with a great art collection and 30 spare bedrooms. Ancient marble statues mingle with mid-century modern chandeliers, overstuffed sofas, and art tomes in the former architecture school of La Sapienza University.
Who it’s best for: Couples in search of five-star intimacy.
Fendi Private Suites
The ultra-exclusive Fendi Private Suites has just seven luxurious suites (think: Fendi Casa furniture, Hans Wegner chairs, and photos by Karl Lagerfeld) inside the Palazzo Fendi, the brand’s flagship store on Via Condotti. Guests get priority reservations at the rooftop restaurant, Zuma, where stylish locals and celebrities flock for sushi and creative cocktails on the see-and-be-seen terrace. Otherwise, don’t expect the usual hotel amenities: The public spaces are gorgeous but there’s not much of them.
Who it’s best for: Fendi fans and design-aholics; couples and families who want a lush, residential experience.
St. Regis Rome
If you want to feel like royalty, stay at the St. Regis Rome, a palace hotel built by César Ritz on Piazza della Republica and still the place to stay for old-school opulence. Fans of the St. Regis brand will find the same white-glove service (including butlers ready to cater to your every whim), Champagne-sabering ritual and grandeur-steeped atmosphere they’d expect. Murano chandeliers, marble, stained-glass windows and red velvet divans set the stage for a cinematic sojourn. There’s an Asian-inspired spa and wine tastings held in the remains of an ancient Roman bath.
Who it’s best for: Traditionalists; those who don’t mind being a bit of a walk from the main historic sites.