All roads may lead to Rome, but some of them lead to quaint getaways too. Maybe you want to stay at a gem on the beach. Or head north to one of the best yet totally overlooked hotels in the country. Wherever that road may take you, these are the hotels that even Caesar would have put on his road trip list.
Il Pellicano
Distance from Rome: 1 hr 30 min drive
A trip to Rome is not complete without a road trip from Rome along the Tuscan Coastline. The first stop should be at Il Pellicano, a quaint and famous beachside hotel on the Monte Argentario Peninsula. Traditionally a hotspot for yachting Romans looking to lunch while they cruise the Tyrrhenian Sea, Il Pellicano serves good food and has a great beach club vibe. The hotel has 47 rooms, two restaurants, and a beach club whose past guests include Charlie Chaplin and Sofia Loren. And because it was once a place that reminded its founders of their own love story, it’s a place made for romance.
Sprezzatura, the Italian word for “a nonchalance that conceals any effort involved to make it appear that way,” describes the energy you’ll get from the space. The stunning cliffside hotel opened in 1965 when an American socialite couple built a villa and invited all their friends. Friends, and then friends of friends, arrived—and started paying—and the luxurious hotel became the sought-after Tuscan retreat it is today. Though it has become a full-service hotel with an elite wellness program, gorgeous beachfront pools, and a Michelin-starred seafood spot, the beach party hasn’t stopped.
Without dismissing the thoughtful and now trending design elements courtesy of the owner’s daughter, nor the speed-of-light service, it’s safe to say, the location does much of the work. The tucked-away waterfront offers a private escape that feels untouched.
La Posta Vecchia
Distance from Rome: 40 min drive
La Posta Vecchia makes a perfect weekend road trip from Rome for any vacation in Rome. The seaside hotel isn’t too far from the city and offers a beachy respite which contrasts with nearby Urban centers. And though the villa has a private beach, it has more than just the perks of being on the water.
Once the home of billionaire J. Paul Getty, the 17th-century villa houses artifacts in a private museum on the second level. Before Paul owned it in the 60s, the villa sat in noble hands. Its renaissance history has been since played up by the Scio family who also own Il Pellicano. While renovating the house, Getty unearthed Roman artifacts dating back to the second century BCE. When he sold the hotel, his collection of ancient, as well as personally collected artifacts stayed in the hotel.
A villa with such a history naturally conjures a special experience. It’s close enough that you could spend an afternoon dining at the restaurant, The Cesar, wandering around the gardens, and sipping a spritz on the private beach. But the experience stands apart from other hotels on the coast.
Borgo Santandrea
Distance From Rome: 3 hrs 30 min
The extra few hours are worth it to do a road trip from Rome to the Amalfi coast. It is everyone’s dream summer destination and is known for picturesque Mediterranean towns and relaxed Italian beaches. And when you go there, Borgo Santandrea is where you should stay. Located 90 meters above the sea, the villa perches precariously above the sea below. The hotel has the same family-owned vibe as those owned by the Scios, as well as a modern renovation that took almost four years to complete. Just the vision alone is a sight to behold.
The hotel itself has all of the traditional Amalfi luxuries like a blue and white washed color palette and an infinity pool. The 49 rooms also all offer views of the sea, as the terraced design situates rooms and amenities vertically. The hotel also has a private beach which is rare for the Amalfi, and due to the popularity of the few beaches that are accessible, it offers a welcomed peace.
