Don your Walking Shoes and Uncover the Hidden Joys of Rome
Book a stay at Hotel de la Ville and Hotel de Russie in Rome's sweet spot to experience the best of the Eternal City
Rome—the Eternal City. In this living, breathing museum where every cobblestone has a story to tell, your hotel’s location isn’t just important; it’s everything. And, to truly experience Rome, you need to walk its streets.
The perfectly located Hotel de Russie, the Roman jewel of the Rocco Forte Hotels, is without a doubt among the most elegant hotels in the luxury sector in Rome, providing front-row access to Rome’s greatest hits. Situated along the Via del Babuino, just off the Piazza del Popolo and steps from Via del Corso, the Hotel de Russie is in a central position amid the most significant sites and monuments, and you won’t find better shopping or people-watching anywhere in the city.
At the hotel’s heart lies its crowning jewel: the Secret Garden, designed by architect Giuseppe Valadier in the 1820s. Situated at the foot of the Pincian Hill and the marvelous Villa Borghese, the garden was conceived in the form of open-air architecture enriched with never-ending botanical scents and colors. To experience it up close, indulge in a leisurely lunch or dinner en plein air in the hotel’s restaurant Le Jardin de Russie.
For an alternative vantage point, consider Rocco Forte’s Hotel de la Ville. Perched on Via Sistina, it overlooks the iconic Spanish Steps and Trinità dei Monti. Situated at the threshold of Villa Borghese gardens and mere steps from renowned monuments and exclusive shopping on Via dei Condotti, it’s another ideal base for exploring Rome on foot.
The bright, spacious interiors of both hotels evoke a sense of belonging to their surroundings thanks to architect Tommaso Ziffer and the skillful selection of furnishings and objects by Olga Polizzi, design director for Rocco Forte Hotels. Her design style creates a “home feeling” that offers a sophisticated atmosphere that matches Rome’s timeless charm.
Further enhancing the experience, both properties feature the Irene Forte Spa, which showcases the eponymous Irene Forte product line (you’ll also get to sample these products in your room as part of an exclusive amenity package). The line promotes well-researched concepts such as applying a Mediterranean diet to the skin using ingredients from the agricultural estate gardens at Verdura Resort, Rocco Forte Hotels’ property in Sciacca, Sicily.
Choosing either of these hotels means you’re not just visiting Rome—you’re living it. You’re waking up to the sounds of church bells and Vespas, stepping out onto streets that emperors once walked, and ending your day with a Negroni at Hotel de la Ville’s Cielo Terrace Bar, watching the sun set over a cityscape that’s captivated hearts for millennia.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it can’t be fully experienced in one either. The real joy of Rome often lies in the unexpected: a stumbled upon hidden piazza, or a conversation struck up over a glass of wine with locals. So, while you tick off the must-sees, leave room for spontaneity. Lace up your shoes, and let the city reveal its secrets at your own pace. roccofortehotels.com