Just when you thought Rome couldn’t get any dreamier, along comes Palazzo Talìa. It’s a 16th-century palazzo turned boutique hotel that’s somehow both completely new and completely timeless. It’s just a few steps from the Trevi Fountain and it’s the kind of place that feels like a secret. A very stylish secret, with velvet sofas, antique mirrors, and fresh espresso always within reach.
Overview
The building dates back to the 1500s, having once served as a religious college. It was converted into a hotel in the early 2000s but eventually shit down (one of those “beautiful space, not quite the right moment” stories). Enter 2023, when it reopened with a total transformation, thanks to Italian filmmaker and visionary Luca Guadagnino. Yes, the Oscar nominee Luca Guadagnino. Who also happens to moonlight as an interior designer with an incredible eye for texture, color, and cinematic mood.
He worked with Studio Luca Guadagnino to revive the space into something quietly extravagant. Think hand-painted ceilings, moody palettes, rare books on the shelves, and custom furniture in every corner. The garden in the center is a full-on fantasy. It’s complete with ivy-covered walls, trickling fountains, and wrought iron chairs for lazy morning cappuccinos. Overall, the whole place feels like a director’s cut of Roman luxury.
Rooms
The rooms are silently luxurious and again, unapologetically Roman. There are just 26 of them —intimate enough that you start recognizing your fellow guests. But also grand enough to make you feel like you’ve scored the top suite in a palace. They are divided across several categories, from cozy doubles to expansive suites — but they all share a few essentials.
In every room, you’ll find curated vintage furniture, personalized textiles, and bathrooms done in creamy travertine and thick slabs of marble. The ceiling frescoes in some rooms are original, and the floors are covered with custom rugs that feel like museum pieces. Some rooms face the leafy internal courtyard, others peek out toward the rooftops of Rome. Either way, you’re waking up to something beautiful.
Dining
Chef Marco Coppola steers the main restaurant on site, named Tramae. He’s an Amalfi-born talent who trained in Michelin kitchens before returning to Italy to cook the food he actually wants to eat. His menus are rooted in tradition, but not afraid to surprise. You can look forward to dishes like zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta and mint, hand-rolled pasta with sea urchin, and lemon-scented fish dishes that celebrate his coastal upbringing.
Breakfast is served in the garden when the weather is nice (which, let’s be honest, it often is). And in the cooler months you can tuck into warm pastries and perfectly soft eggs in the frescoed salon just off the lobby. The adjacent Bar della Musa offers expertly mixed cocktails in a setting adorned with Murano glass tiles that create a sparkling background for your evening activities.
The Spa
The wellness centre is inspired by the Roman baths and surrounded by ancient stones, underneath barrel vaults. It has a heated relaxation swimming pool, a sauna, hammam and a plunge pool. The massage menu leans classic (Swedish, deep tissue, aromatherapy), and there is also a variety of facials and rituals you can enjoy. The little gym is discreet (but whether or not you’ll actually use it to burn some of that delicious Italian food is between you and your conscience).
FAQs
Q: Where is Palazzo Talìa located?
A: Palazzo Talìa is located in Rome, just a few steps from the Trevi Fountain.
Q: How many restaurants and bars does Palazzo Talìa have?
A: Palazzo Talìa has one restaurant and one bar on site.
Q: Does Palazzo Talìa have a pool?
A: Yes, Palazzo Talìa has a pool in its wellness center.
