Hotel review: Hotel de la Ville in Rome, Italy
What’s On travelled to Rome for the summer
One never needs an excuse to visit Rome. With thousands of years of history, unbeatable cuisine, and much more, Italy’s capital rightly remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. What’s more, travelling to Rome is now more convenient thanks to direct flights from Riyadh.
Planning a trip to the Eternal City but unsure where to stay? Rome’s hotel scene is as lively and varied as the city itself. The best hotels not only offer a comfortable place to rest after a day of sightseeing but also welcome you into the community and help you feel at home.
Here’s our choice of accommodation for the summer, along with an insight into staying at one of the city’s most luxurious hotels.
Welcome to Hotel de la Ville…
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The Stay
Like all Rocco Forte Hotels, Hotel de la Ville is immaculate. Just a stone’s throw from the top of the Spanish Steps, it impresses with its prime location and the service, accommodations, and restaurants are all pretty faultless.
The Setting
Despite its unassuming façade, step inside Hotel de la Ville, and you’re immediately captivated by its lively character and soulful atmosphere as soon as the smartly dressed doormen, adorned in vests and top hats, greet you.
The interiors strike a delicate balance between tasteful elegance and slightly exaggerated opulence, without ever feeling kitschy or stuffy. They are a lively mix of old and new, inspired by classical Rome and infused with vibrant colours and patterns.
The striking black and white tiled floors extend throughout Hotel de la Ville, with all central areas displaying a variety of geometric patterns.
But it’s the eclectic elements scattered throughout the lobby that catch your eye. The decadent decor aims to evoke what European noble families, who embarked on the Grand Tour in the 17th and 18th centuries, might have encountered or collected.
Imagine an obelisk, a wooden globe, a Roman marble trapezophorus serving as a concierge desk, sky-blue walls decorated with stone columns and Roman ruins, and a row of mirrors hanging across the corridor, to name a few. All these elements add to the lobby’s whimsical character.
The Room
Hotel de la Ville boasts 104 spacious and elegant rooms, including 15 suites that offer breathtaking views of the Eternal City.
Beyond the heavy red doors adorned with gold knobs, you’ll find that the rooms are as eclectically stylish as the rest of the property. The junior suite deluxe room we stayed in overlooks a peaceful inner courtyard.
Blending traditional grandeur with modern touches, the room featured a plush king-sized bed with an elegant velvet headboard and sumptuous bedding, as well as bespoke wardrobes offering ample storage, alongside carved mirrors, emperor busts, and other period-inspired art pieces.
The spacious marble-clad bathroom was one of the highlights, complete with a bathtub, a separate walk-in rainfall shower, chic Irene Forte toiletries and skincare products, and lush Rocco Forte Hotels embroidered bathrobes and slippers.
What draws us, though, is the thoughtful touches and the meticulous attention to detail. A beautifully presented box of Italian cookies, a bowl of grapes, and a variety of nuts and dried apricots, with a handwritten note, were in our room on arrival – a thoughtful welcome gift.
Family-friendly? Absolutely. Our room was arranged with a baby cot, soft toys for our seven-month-old baby and two-year-old toddler, as well as their own pint-sized bathrobes and slippers.
The turndown service was superb, with shirts neatly folded, make-up arranged on towels, and dresses carefully hung in the wardrobe while we were away. Even the nappies, baby bottles, nappy cream, and wipes were thoughtfully placed on the chest of drawers, once again showing meticulous attention to detail. It’s the little things, really. And such considerate gestures are greatly appreciated after a long day of exploring (and especially without our personal nanny in tow).
The Food & Drink
Having breakfast at Hotel de la Ville feels like a dream when enjoyed in the tranquil, picture-perfect courtyard of the sun-drenched Mosaico, surrounded by salmon-coloured walls and shaded by vibrant red and white striped parasols.
The buffet, which features a wide variety of cereals, yoghurts, fresh fruit, pastries, cakes, and an assortment of meats and cheeses, is available inside the brasserie-style indoor section of the restaurant. You can also try some specials from the kitchen, listed on the breakfast menu when you order. Choose from carbonara scrambled eggs, ricotta and mint omelette, or the homemade granola and other treats.
We also enjoyed a lovely dinner at the seventh-floor Cielo rooftop restaurant – a classic Roman trattoria that offers unrivalled 360-degree views of Rome’s historic centre and Vatican City. Every dish here was beautifully prepared and presented.
Descend one floor to discover the Cielo terrace, a stunning bar offering what may be the most romantic sunset aperitivo in Rome while admiring the breathtaking skyline. We suggest sitting facing the Vatican if you are here in the early evening. As soon as the sun sets, watch the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica light up.
There’s also the newly opened Café Ginori on the ground floor, where all dishes are presented on tableware by the renowned Italian porcelain maker Ginori 1735. This isn’t just another hotel restaurant. The restaurant, with Ginori 1735’s iconic patterns integrated throughout the space, offers a feast for both the eyes and the palate.
Julep Herbal & Vermouth Bar, a cocktail bar inspired by the 13th-century Spice Route that serves classic cocktails and creative infusions, was unfortunately closed during our stay.
The Activities
Start by heading down the Spanish Steps and enjoy sweeping city views from the top, before a steep ascent of 135 stairs leads you to the charming Piazza di Spagna at the bottom. Additionally, the streets around the square are home to a variety of luxury boutiques and restaurants – what more could you ask for?
From this point, walk another 650 metres into the city to see one of Rome’s most iconic sights – the Trevi Fountain. A Baroque masterpiece carved in the 18th century, it measures 20 metres with intricate sculptural details, including a well-known sculpture of the Roman god Neptune. Remember to bring a coin to toss into the fountain – legend says that tossing a coin over your left shoulder into the fountain ensures you’ll return to Rome. Just be prepared for the hordes of tourists.
Rome is a breathtaking open-air museum. History lovers will also enjoy ticking off major cultural highlights in the Eternal City, such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, as well as the Vatican City and its museums.
If there are still some hours of daylight and you wish to chill, head to Villa Borghese, one of Rome’s most romantic public parks right behind Hotel de la Ville. Here you can lie on the grass or go for a stroll and discover its lake and numerous buildings. If you’re travelling with children, they will love this green space.
Rome has left your feet sore? Recharge at the Hotel de la Ville’s Sicilian-themed Irene Forte Spa. Start with a 60-minute personalised massage and enjoy the spa facilities. We highly recommend trying the hydro pool. Its jet beds relieve muscle tension, improve circulation, and relax the mind and body. Bliss.
The Experience
Whether you’re a lover of history, culture, or simply beautiful scenery, you’re in for a treat. Despite being just steps from one of the city’s busiest attractions, Hotel de la Ville manages to be a refined oasis, away from the hustle and bustle. Plus, the well-known Rocco Forte service is at its best in Hotel de la Ville.
What to Pack
We were in Rome in early August, and it was hot. I mainly wore sundresses or cotton or linen capri-length trousers with tank tops. A scarf is a great idea – it can come in handy if you are going inside a church or encounter a breeze, like we did while having dinner on the rooftop.
What’s On the Bill
From SAR7,969 per night for two in a Superior Room with breakfast.
The Final Say
What’s On Verdict: For those considering their own Roman holiday – and willing to splurge – one of the Eternal City’s most coveted hotels is perched atop the Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna. The property isn’t just a place to rest between jaunts to the Pantheon or Colosseum; rather, Hotel de la Ville is a distinctive chapter in the city’s centuries-old story. It’s the ideal stay for a memorable Roman experience.
The Deets
Location: Via Sistina 69, Rome, 00187
Check-in/Check-out: 3pm / 12pm
Contact: +39 06 977 931 | @hoteldelavillerome
Booking tip: Check out the official Rocco Forte Hotels website and book directly for the best rates.
Images: Social / Rocco Forte Hotel
