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Rome delights with its blockbuster ruins and art museums. But look beyond the splendor and you’ll discover the more intimate heart of the Eternal City, one that beats to the rhythm of family-run trattorias, independent ateliers, old-school coffee bars and pocket-sized piazzas. The city’s hotel scene emulates this contrast – although its fabled grandes dames have taken the spotlight, the well-known loopholes in Rome’s new wave of understatedly chic boutique hotels are tucked away in Renaissance townhouses and behind baroque piazzas. Browse the best boutique hotels in Rome here and experience the perfect Roman combination of historic weight and human hospitality.
The best boutique hotels in Rome at a glance
This 14-suite hideaway, just a short walk from the Spanish Steps, is one of the city’s most stylish luxury options, enhanced by Michele Bonan’s tasteful, contemporary retro design. It’s suave and very private: think of it as a premier residence rather than a hotel. When they say suites, they mean suites: Even the entry-level “superiors” are spacious. Discreet service courtesy of a dedicated “lifestyle team” is unparalleled – as is the seal of approval of the rooftop bar for guests only.
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From the moment you arrive you get a feel for the boutique and bespoke ambiance of the H’All Tailor Suite. The sleek white building appears to be residential, in keeping with owners Riccardo and Ramona’s mission to make you feel at home. Hence the name: Here everything revolves around a personal experience. Artworks from Rome’s contemporary art gallery, Mucciaccia, adorn the walls in each of the 14 uniquely decorated rooms, pairing perfectly with the minimalist and stylish design pieces and furniture. The famous All’Oro restaurant is also equipped with an elegant and luxurious colorful interior.
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Architect and designer Giampiero Panepinto has created a series of deliciously stylish yet whimsically playful spaces, mixing references ranging from rococo to 19th-century decadence to mid-century modern. Aimed squarely at sophisticated, independent globetrotters, just about every whim can be catered for, from kid-friendly private Rome tours to yoga and massages. Sprawling out into a small, intimate, plant-lined courtyard, the club-like bar/restaurant makes you want to slip into a vintage Valentino and sip a Negroni.
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In a corner of Rome that has sprung up with a slew of stylish boutique hotels, the Elizabeth is perhaps the standout player. Like many Roman boutique hotels, it’s a contemporary space in a historic palazzo with exquisite interiors that blend a sophisticated color palette with mid-century decor and custom flourishes like bespoke lighting and Colosseum-inspired accent tables. What makes this boutique hotel special, however, is its remarkable collection of contemporary Italian art, curated by one of Rome’s most prestigious galleries.
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If you’ve always wanted to live like a ruling contemporary Roman family, Villa Laetitia is the place to be. Acquired by sister of the Fendi clan Anna, the Liberty-era mansion is a Belle Epoque timepiece, a secluded urban retreat and a beautiful balance of artisan hospitality, haute design and Epicurean attention. The 21 rooms of the luxury villa are located both in the villa and in its fully restored 1910s garden. Family and friends are the main themes in each room – the main villa’s Adele room is a minimalist homage to the original Fendi matriarch, Adele, with 1910s wooden furniture.
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This is the Italian dream, especially when that dream means savvy style and normcore chic. Each CasaCau ‘interior’, as the apartments are called, are airy open spaces with contemporary furniture and artwork, all belying the palazzo’s baroque facade. The open-space format includes an eat-in kitchen and a bedroom/living room with king-size beds. Italian pastries are delivered to your door in the morning, along with a newspaper. CasaCau guests are offered gourmet experiences at the group’s two Michelin-starred restaurants.
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This is one of Rome’s finest boutique hotels: warm, friendly, elegant and original. The design – based on a discreetly opulent Dolce Vita retro look – is convincing in the bedrooms as well as in the common areas on the ground floor. The ground floor feels a bit like a stylish modern gentleman’s club — particularly the chic little lounge/library — and the 23 double rooms and seven suites have rosewood-lined dressing rooms, marble bathrooms, and rosewood four-poster beds. The service here is refreshingly casual without being sinfully casual. And the minibar is free.
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From the moment you step through the discreet door of this 20-room jewel, you will be greeted like royalty. Rooms, with their autumnal color palettes, can feel a little Parisian at times, though details like reproductions of classical busts or the playful Palladian wallpaper in Executive Rooms help ground one in the Eternal City. The Colosseum Suite has a large, picturesque whirlpool tub and a small private gym, but if you prefer something a little more understatedly opulent, choose a Junior Suite. The cuisine matches the view at the Aroma rooftop restaurant, with its romantic view of the Colosseum, and the bar next door is a lovely spot for a sundowner.
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Martis Palace takes its name from the Roman god Mars. It was once a Renaissance palace and monastery owned by the noble Massimo family. The building’s historic features have been carefully brought into the 21st century, with huge glass doors opening onto 600-year-old granite columns and holy water fountains. Rooms are huge, with bold design; Bright floral bedspreads and accent textiles look chic, as do the two-tone Rothko-style wallpaper and curtains. There’s a spa at the Martis Palace’s sister property that’s available to guests staying here.
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This collection of 24 stylish serviced apartments, spread across two nearby townhouses on one of the city’s most elegant shopping streets, connecting the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo, is the epicenter of Roman glamour. It’s a great option for independent, mid-budget travelers who want a great location and friendly design without paying inflated prices. In the annex, directly opposite the main city building at number 181, is the hotel’s beautiful terrace bar on the top floor (outdoors in summer), where a continental breakfast buffet is served in the morning and cocktails are mixed in the evening from 18:00 to 21:00 .
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Not just for urban hipsters, this charming full-service townhouse hotel has finally given the village Monti area the stylish lodging option it’s been waiting for. You have to ring to gain entry to this tall, cream-colored townhouse that owners Sara Ferrajoli and Vincenzo Mirisola di Torresanto, with the help of architect Antonio Girardi, have transformed into an utterly charming urban retreat with a cool, retro feel – in looks so much Paris or London like Rome. Grown-up color schemes, 1950s-inspired armchairs, and vintage light fixtures set the tone for a cool insider’s address for powered independent travelers.
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Absolutely charming. That’s the overwhelming impression of staying at this cute, friendly 3-star hotel, nestled right on the Forum in the trendy Monti district. Rooms are more five-star than three-star: Black, white, and houndstooth essentials are offset by colorful artwork and throw pillows, and art books are used as high-profile accents. Design touches like Dedar and Gervasoni furniture, Mod pendant lights, plush Italian mattresses and beds, and Emperador marble bathrooms with bespoke natural bath products give the rooms a luxurious feel.
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Hotel Monte Cenci is tucked away on a side street on the edge of Rome’s Jewish Quarter, one of the oldest areas in the city. Modern rooms meet picturesque balconies overlooking romantic Rome, in an exceptional encounter of comfort and charm. The service experience begins before check-in with an invitation to choose pillow types, a honeymoon welcome, or even a request for a yoga mat in your room. The property is crowned by a charming rooftop bar, which transforms into a cozy conservatory in the colder months.
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Contributions by Nicola Ferlei Brown, Erica Firpo, Lee Marshall, Maria Pasquale & Rebecca Winke
