How can one avoid using grandiose adjectives to describe a hotel with a location as breathtakingly beautiful as that of the Hotel de la Ville in Rome? Perched at the top of the Spanish Steps, this Rocco Forte Hotels property is indeed a classic five-star luxury hotel, but it is also a place with a distinct personality, beyond its impressive size.
Chef photos by Andrea Di Lorenzo
Built around the legacy of the Grand Tour, with a clear focus on dining, the hotel on Via Sistina—in addition to the magic of the location—offers a welcoming atmosphere, crafted around the guest by the people who work there. Just a stone’s throw from Villa Borghese and the famous shopping streets that branch out from Piazza di Spagna, you’ll experience a sense of intimate tranquility that lets everything else fade into the background.
The building’s origins date back to the 18th century and are closely tied to the era of the Grand Tour, when the capital was one of the key stops on the educational journey of young European aristocrats. The building became a hotel in the early 1920s, was expanded in the mid-20th century, and on May 23, 2019, following a two-and-a-half-year renovation, it joined the Rocco Forte Hotels collection.
Tommaso Ziffer and Olga Polizzi, the group’s Design Directors, conceived the interiors by drawing inspiration from the very idea of travel and from the objects, works of art, fabrics, and impressions that travelers gathered as they journeyed across Europe. The hotel thus features a blend of contemporary furnishings and more classic elements, works of art, and fine materials.
The wallpapers were created by Rubelli and Dedar, and the space also features historic tapestries by Zardi & Zardi. It is a rich, opulent ensemble, yet one with a distinct identity. The inner courtyard, designed by George Carter—an English designer known for gardens inspired by 17th-century geometry—is a secluded space, capable of transporting guests far from the urban chaos that reigns just a few meters away. There are 104 rooms in total: 89 guest rooms and 15 suites, where the story of the Grand Tour continues in spirit and unfolds through fabrics, artworks, and objects.
Several room categories feature terraces or balconies. The Special Suites are particularly noteworthy, such as the Canova Suite, which offers 56 square meters of interior space and 70 square meters of outdoor space; the Roma Suite expands to 82 square meters of interior space and 100 square meters of outdoor space; and the Suite de la Ville spans 103 square meters indoors and 176 square meters outdoors. The Panoramic Penthouse Suite takes things to a whole new level: 360 square meters of interior space and 400 square meters of outdoor space, with six bedrooms, three living rooms, and six bathrooms to accommodate up to twelve guests. It is a sort of grand private Roman residence, complete with butler service and terraces overlooking the city.
Wellness is another important aspect of hospitality. Irene Forte Spa spans over 550 square meters and features an indoor pool, a spa area with a sauna, steam room, and salt room, as well as treatment rooms. The spacious fitness center is open 24 hours a day.
The Culinary Offering
When it comes to dining, the supervision of the entire culinary offering is entrusted to Fulvio Pierangelini, Creative Director of Food at Rocco Forte Hotels and one of the leading architects of the new Italian cuisine. Over the years, Pierangelini has instilled a clear philosophy in the group’s hotels, one in which technical mastery is certainly present, but not as an end in itself. It is a cuisine based on simplicity, the quality of the ingredients, and dishes that are, above all, delicious.
On the ground floor is Café Ginori, born from a collaboration with Ginori 1735. The porcelain and motifs from the “Oriente Italiano,” “Il Viaggio di Nettuno,” and “Labirinto” collections are incorporated into the décor alongside wallpaper, fabrics, and decorative objects. Here, for lunch and dinner, the menu is more casual and straightforward; it ranges from veal with tuna sauce to crispy free-range chicken, and includes desserts such as tiramisu and maritozzo with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce.
At Al Mosaico, on the second floor, a hearty breakfast is served—featuring both a buffet and à la carte options—in a dining room with an open kitchen and a central red oven; weather permitting, service moves out to the beautiful courtyard. Also on the second floor, at the Julep Herbal & Vermouth Bar, the focus is on mixology, with a special emphasis on herbs, infusions, and vermouth. The concept draws inspiration from the ancient Spice Route.
However, Cielo, located on the top floors of the building, is the most spectacular spot: the bar is on the sixth floor, and the restaurant on the seventh. The name speaks for itself: from the terrace, Rome stands out in all its magnificence, literally right before your eyes. The roof of the Cielo Bar, renovated by Paolo Moschino, allows the space to be used year-round.
With a view like this, the food might take a back seat and be limited to simply adequate fare. In reality, however, the food here is truly excellent, with classic dishes executed with delicious, elegant precision. The tonnarelli with cacio e pepe and shrimp, for example, are excellent, featuring a well-balanced harmony between the sweetness of the shrimp and the savory, creamy sauce.
The fregola with raw and cooked seafood, was remarkable—a hearty, well-balanced dish where the flavors of the sea were concentrated and present in various forms and textures. We also really enjoyed the sea bass with potato and mushroom purée and the lamb rosettes with chicory and thyme sauce, accompanied by a textbook-perfect reduction. Among the desserts, the strawberry and wild strawberry tart served with vanilla whipped cream is worth mentioning. The wine list is also extensive, featuring an unexpected selection.
However, the quality of service cannot be overlooked: the waitstaff is attentive and highly professional, maintaining a genuine smile even under the pressure created—on the evening of our visit—by a full house and the sweltering heat of the Roman summer. Whether or not you’re staying at the Hotel de la Ville, this is a restaurant worth trying.
Contact Information
Hotel de la Ville
Via Sistina, 69, 00187 Rome, RM
Phone: 06 977931
