Rome is many things: chaotic, historical, loud, dreamy, crowded, stylish, and delicious. But, in our opinion, the adjective that describes the Eternal City best is grand. Seemingly every Roman street, piazza, and park has an awe-inspiring fountain, church, monument, or ancient temple. No matter where you go, there’s no escaping the splendor of the city. So, if you’re to stay in Rome for a few days, you need to make sure the hotel you pick matches this majestic vibe. The following five new Roman hotels mirror the glory of the city almost perfectly. Staying there will give you the round-the-clock opulent experience you need to appreciate the Italian capital in full.
Orient Express La Minerva
You’re no stranger to the Orient Express trains, but did you know that the brand also operates sailing yachts and hotels? The first Orient Express hotel to open is La Minerva. The property is located in Rome’s Piazza della Minerva (home to Bernini’s Elephant and Obelisk), and only seconds away from the Pantheon. It doesn’t get much more central than that.
A former palace dating back from the 17th century, La Minerva opened its doors on April 7, 2025. Its launch corresponded with the inaugural journey of La Dolce Vita Orient Express, a brand new luxury train. That way you can hop from one luxurious Italian travel experience to another seamlessly.
La Minerva consists of 93 rooms, including 32 suites and four signature suites. While all the rooms have been designed and furnished to Italian Art-Déco perfection by artist-architect Hugo Toro, our favorite is La Minerva Suite. This top-floor room’s most appealing attributes are the views it offers. That said, the marble bathroom and dining space are close seconds.
There are two food and drink options on site. Gigi Roma, the rooftop restaurant serves gastronomic fare alongside sweeping views of the city, including a peek at St. Peter’s Basilica’s dome. La Minerva Bar, located on the ground floor of the property, will transport you back to the 1920s. There, you can enjoy afternoon tea, a cocktail, or Italian snacks to the sounds under the magnificent restored glass roof.
ROMEO Roma hotel in Rome
Travelers who enjoy the historical charm of the Eternal City but who keep their gaze steady on the future will love the newly opened ROMEO Roma. The five-star property, located in a former 16th-century palace, mixes past beauty and contemporary boldness to offer a hotel experience like no other. ROMEO Roma was one the last projects of the late architect Zaha Hadid, and that should be reason enough for you to book a stay. But there’s more.
Located next door to the immense and iconic Piazza de Popolo, ROMEO Roma has one of the best locations in all of Rome. From there, you can walk to all the main sights, including the Villa Borghese in six minutes and the Spanish Steps in 10 minutes. Easy peasy lemon gelati.
ROMEO Roma has 74 rooms and suites, so it’s not huge, but it’s big enough to propose a wide choice of accommodation. While all the rooms and suites are incredible, we are partial to the uniqueness of the Fresco Suites where classical art meets state-of-the-art modern architecture. It’s audacious, wonderful, and weird all at once.
But ROMEO Roma has more to give than creative architecture and a great geographical location. It’s also got multiple food and drink venues. They include Il Ristorante run by Michelin-starred Chef Alain Ducasse; Il Bar for cool cocktails; and La Terrazza, a rooftop bar where Champagne flows freely. The property also has a wellness area with an indoor-outdoor, one-of-a-kind pool; a fitness center; and a very elegant spa.
Perhaps the most surprising section of ROMEO Roma is its art and archeological collection. Pieces and artifacts are displayed throughout the property so you can combine a stroll in the lobby with a museum visit. This hotel’s got it all.
Palazzo Talìa
Open since May 2024, Palazzo Talìa lived many lives before it became a luxury hotel. The 16th-century baroque edifice was first a palace for the aristocracy and then became a school before closing in 1999. Recently, a huge restoration project brought the magnificent building back to life. Expert designers and interior decorators transformed it into one of the most stunning hotels in Rome.
Located less than five minutes away from the Trevi Fountain, Palazzo Talìa is an ode to Italian craftsmanship. Every nook and cranny in this property seems to have been touched by the grace of the Roman gods. The mix of colorful furnishings and simple contemporary decor works perfectly with the historical aspects of the building to create a unique, joyful, and unpretentious atmosphere. Yes, there is a lot of marble and there are tall, arched ceilings, but there are also amazingly modern patterned tiles and ingenious bed frames. They really know how to mix it up in this place.
There is one restaurant on site, Tramae, where you can indulge in Italian cuisine, but if you want to be dazzled, pay a visit to the bar. Bar della Musa, with its frescoed ceiling and lush outdoor patio is arguably the best place in Rome for a drink.
There’s also a Roman baths-inspired spa for guests to enjoy. The heated swimming pool, sauna, Turkish bath, and the treatment menu will get you to relax after a day of walking around the Italian capital.
Casa Monti Roma
Located only 10 minutes on foot from the Roman Forum and less than 15 minutes from the Colosseum, Casa Monti Roma is a colorful, artsy property that opened its door in June 2024.
With only 26 rooms and 10 suites, Casa Monti Roma provides travelers with a quiet and intimate experience. But if you’re looking for a zen vibe, you’re in the wrong place. The hotel’s interior is filled with bright colors, elaborate motifs, and fun decor touches that exude happiness, summer pleasures, and retro, bucolic charm.
While all the rooms are exquisite, the terrace suite, with its patio furniture where guests can take in extraordinary views of the city, is a winner. But the place is generally stunning, so you can’t go wrong, no matter what accommodation you pick.
The rooftop Suzanne Kauffman spa, while on the small side, offers a variety of treatments, as well as access to a jacuzzi. The rooftop is also where you’ll find one of Casa Monti Roma’s three food and drink venues: a bar where to enjoy cocktails and aperitivo. The patio and bar on the ground floor serves pistachio croissants, coffee, as well as a variety of drinks. The main restaurant features Roman cuisine.
Bvlgari Hotel Roma
While it opened in June 2023, Bvlgari Hotel Roma is a recent property worth keeping on your must-stay-at list.
Located across the Mausoleum of Augustus and less than 10 minutes from the Spanish Steps, this property is not only very central, it’s as chic as it gets. While the exterior of the hotel looks austere, inside, it is warm, elegant, and filled with the best of Italian craftsmanship.
The beautifully renovated 1930s building is home to 110 rooms and suites, each more elegant than the next. The immense Bvlgari Suite, however, takes the cake. Not only is it over 3,000 square feet in size and has 10 windows offering exceptional views of the Mausoleum of Augustus, it’s also gorgeously furnished and decorated.
While the spa (especially the pool) and the multiple food and drink venues will blow your expectations of hotel amenities out of the water forever, it’s the library on the ground floor that we love best. Although, the landscaped rooftop terrace, with its plush furniture and panoramic views over the city is very special, too.
FAQs:
Q: When did the Orient Express La Minerva hotel open?
A: The Orient Express La Minerva hotel opened its doors to the public on April 7, 2025.
Q: How far from the Spanish Steps is the ROMEO Roma hotel?
A: The Spanish Steps are only 10 minutes on foot from ROMEO Roma.
Q: How many rooms and suites are there at the Casa Monti Roma hotel?
A: The Casa Monti Roma hotel comprises 26 rooms and 10 suites.
