LUDO Dine & Vibe 
3 Gluten-Free Pastry Shops in Milan 
Rome, Eternal City and destination, every year, for millions and millions of visitors from all over the globe. Otherwise it would not be called Caput Mundi, would it? To welcome tourists intrigued by the charms of the Urbe or managers travelling for work, there are the many hotels in the Capital, elegant structures in which the splendour of the past is enhanced by the contrast with the best technology and the sweetest comforts. This is the only way to enter the narrow circle of Rome’s most exclusive hotels.
The ever-present five stars are just the calling card of the princely experience that awaits you when you cross the threshold of these addresses. The suites, more than rooms, are true urban oases of luxury: the wood and marble furnishings elect them as style icons, while the terraces with views of the beauties of the capital will leave you breathless. Can such hotels not have services commensurate with their status as ‘superstars’ of hospitality? Certainly not: here, in fact, you will find the best gourmet restaurants – including the three-star Michelin restaurant signed by Chef Heinz Beck -, but also spas from a thousand and one nights, well-equipped gyms and private gardens, while remaining in the heart of the city. Pack your bags: Rome’s most exclusive hotels are waiting for you.
ROME CAVALIERI, A WALDORF ASTORIA HOTEL
Via Alberto Cadlolo, 101
An exclusive hotel where any dream becomes reality: a thousand and one nights’ spa, tennis courts and golf courses, fully equipped gyms and a six-hectare private park. The afternoon ritual is ‘tea with Tiepolo’, served – precisely – in front of a triptych of works by the 18th-century artist. When it comes to cuisine, the grand master is Heinz Beck, who set up his three-Michelin-starred restaurant, La Pergola, here. The suites are not simply rooms, but masterpieces to be admired, amidst commodes from the King of Poland and sofas from Karl Lagerfeld’s Parisian home. More exclusive than that?
HOTEL DE RUSSIE
Via del Babuino, 9
The design signature is that of the early 19th century by Giuseppe Valadier, the same architect who redesigned Piazza del Popolo. Guests who have stayed here range from the famous Pablo Picasso – to whom a room is dedicated – to Oscar-winning actresses Cate Blanchett and Meryl Streep. The Hotel de Russie pampers guests with one of the best spas in Rome and the charming Stravinsky Bar. In addition to the elegant suites (including the Nijinsky, with an in-house library and an immense terrace on the Pincio), the added bonus is the Secret Garden, a 2,800-square-metre paradise that will make the most of your stay.
HOTEL HASSLER
Piazza Trinità dei Monti, 6
A view overlooking the Spanish Steps in Piazza di Spagna. This would be enough to include the Hassler Hotel among the most exclusive in Rome, accompanied by the enchanting offer enriched by the Imago restaurant – Michelin starred – or the Hassler Bar, where Princess Diana said she drank the best Bellini ever. Moving on to the rooms, the Hassler Penthouse, on the eighth floor, will amaze you with its breathtaking view of Bernini’s Barcaccia, while relaxation in the Villa Medici Suite is guaranteed by a Botticino marble bathroom. With private Jacuzzi and television, that is.
PARCO DEI PRINCIPI GRAND HOTEL & SPA
Via Gerolamo Frescobaldi, 5
The Parioli district, one of the chicest in Rome, is home to the Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi. Overlooking the Villa Borghese, this five-star urban resort offers everything a guest could wish for from an exclusive address: a gourmet restaurant, an elegant lounge bar, ten meeting rooms, a 2,000-square-metre spa with a Swarovski crystal-covered ceiling, and an outdoor Olympic-size swimming pool. Its 179 rooms are able to satisfy every need, although the jewel in the crown remains the Royal Suite that hosted Woody Allen. A place – it really has to be said – fit for a kolossal.
THE ST. REGIS ROME
Via Vittorio Emanuele Orlando, 3
Built in the days of the Roman Belle Epoque, the St. Regis Rome thrives on the stylistic contrasts between the splendour of the past and the bolder, more modern lines of the latest renovation. Beyond the aesthetic aspect, the hotel has an unparalleled concierge service that will make you feel at home from your first steps in the hotel. The offer also includes a professional wellness centre, a delicious restaurant and the possibility of wine tasting or enjoying a nice afternoon tea. Impeccable rooms will make the St. Regis your perfect nest in the heart of Rome.
HOTEL RAPHAEL
Largo Febo, 2
Nestled in the central Piazza Navona, Hotel Raphael is a place to feel surrounded by luxury and beauty. Founded in 1963 by Spartaco Vannoni, this elegant property is a renowned 5-star hotel with all the comforts, including a rewarding display of art masterpieces, including a collection of Mayan ceramics and works by Mirò, De Chirico and Picasso. In Mater Terrae, the restaurant designed by American Richard Meier, you will find the gourmet cuisine of Chef Ettore Moliteo, while your well-being will be taken care of in the exclusive suites. Between oak wood and Carrara marble furnishings, fibre optic WiFi and terraces with spectacular views, the Hotel Raphael will win your heart.
THE WESTIN EXCELSIOR ROME
Via Vittorio Veneto, 125
The Westin Excelsior Rome has made hotel history in the city. Right from the start, with its conciergerie service, this hotel will take care of your needs, from horse riding to dry cleaning, from the indoor pool to the delicacies of the Doney restaurant. A true icon of luxury is the Villa la Cupola room, a 1,100 square metre suite on two floors. Inside, you will have a spa with Turkish bath and sauna, a gym, Carrara marble bathrooms, an elegant living room topped by a frescoed dome and a dining room with private kitchen. A suite designed for kings and queens and that, for one night, could be yours!
ANANTARA PALAZZO NAIADI ROME HOTEL
Piazza della Repubblica, 47
Its perfect location, between the Baths of Diocletian and the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, makes it one of the most prominent addresses in Rome. Among its 238 rooms, the pinnacle of style is reached in the two Presidential Suites, where the neoclassical echo is enhanced by contemporary design lines. Your appetite is catered for by the Tazio restaurant and its ten-course tasting menu. And after an excellent gourmet experience, what could be better than a relaxing visit to the spa? Whirlpools, massages with healing herbs and chromotherapy showers: your body (and spirit) will thank you.
HOTEL SPLENDIDE ROYAL
Via di Porta Pinciana, 14
A jewel of hospitality between Via Veneto and Villa Borghese. At the Hotel Splendid Royal you will relive the charm and splendour of past centuries, without giving up the best technology. The rooms cater for a variety of tastes, such as the exclusive Splendid Grand Suite, with its fireplace, private wine cellar and two bathrooms. The gastronomic experience is also a strong point of this address; the Mirabelle restaurant, with its enchanting terrace overlooking the wonders of Rome, is waiting to seduce you with a voyage of discovery of unique flavours. Ready to go?
GRAND HOTEL PALACE ROME
Via Vittorio Veneto, 70
The glitz of the Roman Belle Epoque along Via Veneto, the capital’s most glamorous street. The Grand Hotel Palace Roma – formerly known as the Palazzo degli Ambasciatori – was designed in 1920 by the genius Marcello Piacentini and renovated by the great Italo Rota. The marble floors, Murano crystal chandeliers and magnificent frescoes by the Venetian Guido Cadorin embody the essence of an exclusive experience. In addition to the luxurious 87 rooms and suites, the hotel is home to the renowned Cadorin Restaurant & Lounge Bar, a high-tech Business Centre and the dazzling Kami Spa. A place where history meets beauty.
