Two American hospitality giants have entered the Rome market in new categories. Both properties are located in the Ludovisi neighborhood, developed around 1900 and a hotbed of luxury hospitality in Roma ever since.
Marriott’s W Rome (011-390-689-4121) has brought 162 new rooms to the area that recalls Fellini’s La Dolce Vita days, when Via Veneto was the only place to be seen and Grand Dame hotels anchored many street corners. From the W at Via Liguria 26-36, it’s just over a quarter-mile walk to the Spanish Steps, though taxis and scooters abound for those who prefer wheels.
Inside two 19th-century pink-orange palazzi, guests will find vivid décor in reception and restaurants, serenity in the guestrooms, and magic on the roof with its gardens and pool. (The outdoor pool on the roof will open in April 2022.)
The greenery continues down in the Giardino Clandestino (secret garden) courtyard, where there is music and dining. The Giano Ristorante offers a fusion of Sicilian-Roman cuisine designed by celebrated Chef Ciccio Sultano of the two-star Duomo ristorante in Ragusa, Sicily. Opening in April 2022, the Otto Rooftop Bar will join the neighborhood’s stellar collection of prime view spots. And, for those who dream of Roman pastries, Chef Fabrizio Fiorani offers the decadent sweets at Zucchero x Fabrizio Fiorani.
Work off the calories with the Fuel X Studio training program headed by Pietro Boselli or hit the fitness center with cardio and weights. Fitness classes are available for a fee.
The Suites will be available from March 2022. Starting at the top, the Extreme WOW Suite is more than a thousand square feet, with a 1,500-square-foot terrace. The layout offers a separate living room, dining area and bedroom. For those who love the sounds and scents of Roma, it’s good to know the windows actually open. W Rome’s suites range from Studio to Mega (with terrace) to WOW (with rooftop terrace) and Extreme WOW.
There is a wide variety of guestrooms — some of the Fantastic, Cool Corner and Sensational rooms may be booked with a balcony; Spectacular level rooms may come with a terrace, though do confirm when booking.
Contact Luca Ferrari (luca.ferrari@whotels.com), sales & marketing, for special requests.
The Hyatt name is already familiar in Italy, but the company’s JdV by Hyatt category is a new one in the country. The newly renovated 52-room The Tribune, part of JdV by Hyatt (011-39-066-338-3753), is owned and operated by AG Hotels. Situated a block off Via Veneto, on the corner of Via Campania and Via Lucullo, the hotel is an easy half-mile walk to the Spanish Steps.
The Tribune overlooks the Villa Borghese, the “Central Park” of Rome, where a stroll among the tree-lined paths is guaranteed to help banish jetlag. Guests can join exercise activities, such as jogging and running, organized by the hotel in the park. There is a small garden and fitness center on the property.
The rooms include 320-square-foot Junior Suites and a 350-square-foot Family Junior Suite with sofa bed (this suite could also be useful for two couples). Both suites give guests a choice between a king bed or twins. The double rooms range from 260 to 300 square feet — the largest is suitable for a family or two couples, with king and sofa beds. After visiting other hotels owned by the AG Hotel group (The Glam in Rome, and Il Tornabuoni in Florence while the five-star was under construction), we know to expect clean lines and rooms that feel spacious without being over-sized.
The covered rooftop Terrazza Borghese restaurant and bar is a contender for best views in Rome, especially as it overlooks the Villa Borghese. Dining is inside or outside, depending upon weather, and includes fresh Mediterranean seafood, as well as beloved Roman specialities.
Maria Chiara Picardi (mariachiarapicardi@aggroupitaly.it; 011-39-340-798-1191), director of sales, marketing and PR of AG Group is available to advise on accommodating special requests. She says the hotel’s ambiance reflects the joy promised by the JdV brand, including the blaze of color in the public spaces.
Despite the effects of the pandemic, the hospitality industry continues to commit to new properties in Rome. Those hotels offering multiple outside spaces offer both beauty and security to guests. As the ultimate town to explore on foot, the Eternal City gives visitors the opportunity to see some of the greatest historic sites in the world without stepping into crowded indoor spaces.
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