Rome Hotels|Rome, Italy

Hotel de la Ville, a Rocco Forte Hotel

Name: Hotel de la Ville, a Rocco Forte Hotel
Telephone: 39-06-977-931

A stylish reboot of a Rome classic

VERIFIED LUXURY

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With sweeping Eternal City views and a design overhaul inspired by 18th-century grandeur, Hotel de la Ville, a Rocco Forte Hotel sits pretty atop Rome’s Spanish Steps. The property’s contemporary style, Old World luxury and Rocco Forte’s inimitable touch create a personalized boutique experience within its 104 rooms and suites.

Hotel de la Ville makes rebooting history effortless with its informed staff and incredible amenities. Perched on the roof, Cielo Bar boasts unparalleled 360-degree views of the entire historic center and Vatican City, while courtyard dining area Mosaico charms with its bistro-like vibe.

This sense of style is complemented by the property’s wellness focus. De La Ville Spa specializes in organic treatments featuring Irene Forte and Pietro Simone Skincare products, while the fitness center is outfitted with the latest Technogym equipment.

But the bonus is Hotel de la Ville’s Centro Storico address, which places the retreat in the epicenter of Rome.

Our Inspector's Highlights

The Grand Tour (an educational pilgrimage to European capitals by English aristocracy in the 17th and 18th centuries) sets the stage for the incredible ambiance created by architect Tommaso Ziffer and Rocco Forte Hotel’s director of design Olga Polizzi. A beautiful hint of the yesteryear inspiration is the lemon-colored lounge’s handprinted wallpaper rife with sketches inspired by 18th-century Italian artist Giovanni Piranesi.
Plan to spend at least one early evening at rooftop Cielo Bar and make sure to face the Vatican. As soon as the sun sets, watch as the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica lights up.
Hotel de la Ville’s centerpiece is its charming courtyard, an urban garden imagined by landscape designer George Carter. Inspired by 17th-century geometry, the courtyard is a modern spin on Grand Tour-era gardens with obelisks, greenery and black and gold accents.
De la Ville Spa is one of Rocco Forte Hotels’ standout sanctuaries. It uses Irene Forte Skincare, an organic line sourced almost entirely from Sicily.
Julep Herbal & Vermouth Bar is one of those alluring niche lounges where you’ll want to spend a rainy day or late evening. A small corner on the second level, the turquoise-hued space offers a cocktail menu that draws from the exotic spices brought to Italy via the famed Silk Road.

Things to Know

Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day and Easter are the most coveted times in Rome, especially for Rocco Forte Hotels. Book reservations well in advance.
Sister property Hotel de Russie is a magnet for celebrities, especially during October’s Rome Film Festival, and Hotel de la Ville lures in the same crowds. The courtyard is a great place for people watching, but make reservations as soon as possible, as the Rome hotel will fill up quickly.
Street-facing rooms will have more noise from urban traffic, especially during the school year, but these accommodations also provide exceptional city views.
Call the concierge to organize advance checkout, as the desk tends to crowd in the mornings.
Hotel de la Ville is ideally situated near iconic monuments and piazzas, including Piazza del Popolo, the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. The luxury hotel is also within walking distance to Centro Storico’s famed micro-neighborhoods like Regola, Ponte and Campo Marzio.

The Rooms

Spacious jewel-toned rooms are highlighted by contemporary design with a wink to classic style — think lavish velvet divans, oversized beds and period-inspired art pieces.
Historic touches abound, from handmade wallpaper by Italian designers Rubelli and Dedar to fabrics and tapestries from U.K.-based artisans Zardi & Zardi.
Sumptuous white marble bathrooms come with rainfall showers (some include standalone tubs) stocked with Irene Forte Skincare products.
Accommodations may take cues from the past, but state-of-the-art tech, including sensor-controlled lighting and hidden flat-screen televisions in baseboards, bring these spaces into the 21st century.
For the ultimate Roman pied-à-terre, book the Suite de la Ville. This 1,108-square-foot space boasts a private elevator, a curated art collection and two furnished panoramic terraces that beg for alfresco entertaining in the Eternal City.

Nearby Attractions

Hotel de la Ville’s Via Sistina address is central to Piazza di Spagna (also known as the Spanish Steps) shopping district, a gorgeous square lined with luxury boutiques.
Keats-Shelley House gives a great Grand Tour refresher. Located in Piazza di Spagna, this writer's house museum commemorates the lives and works of English Romantic poets John Keats andPercy Bysshe Shelley.
In operation for nearly 260 years, Antico Caffe Greco (a six-minute walk from the boutique hotel) is the oldest cafe in Rome and the second-oldest in Italy. Retrace the steps of writers like Hans Christian Anderson, Mark Twain and Orson Welles (all frequent patrons) by sipping a cappuccino in this historic coffee house.
Just up the hill is Villa Borghese, Rome’s pristinely landscaped public park. Head here for a city break among the verdant green spaces, museums, bike paths and outdoor theaters.
Less than 10 minutes from the hotel is Palazzo Barberini, a ravishing 17th-century palace with a collection of Renaissance and Baroque art to rival Galleria Borghese. Must-see masterpieces include Pietro da Cortona’s ceiling fresco The Triumph of Divine Providence, Hans Holbein’s portrait of Henry VIII, Raphael’s La Fornarina and Caravaggio’s Judith Beheading Holofernes.

Amenities