Top 5 Hotels in Rome
Unique Luxury - Hotel de Russie
Where else in the heart of Rome's bustling city can you recharge your batteries but the stunning
terraced gardens of the stylish Hotel de Russie? Just moments away from the main attractions of central Rome, you can dine alfresco or enjoy a cocktail at the award winning Stravinski Bar which attracts locals and hotel guests alike. With free WiFi hotspots in the public areas, Hotel de Russie also provides comprehensive technology facilities for the business traveller and event organiser. Also home to one of Rome's best health clubs, you can work off your pasta intake with a personal trainer or in a Turkish steam bath.
Rooms from 460 Euros (£409 GBP)
Hotel de Russie, Via del Babuino 9, 00187 Rome
Tel: +39 06 328 881
Prestigious Location - Exedra Boscolo Hotel
This 240 room luxury 19th century hotel is situated on the impressive Piazza della Repubulica, close to the Spanish Steps, Via Veneto and Termini Station. Facing the dazzling Fountain of the Naiads, the Colonnade is perfect for an informal business meeting or you could opt for a light lunch on the rooftop terrace, adjacent to the outdoor pool and complete with stunning views. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology in its four meeting rooms, they can accommodate 20 - 200 guests. Rooms are an elegant mixture of contemporary and classical furnishing with each of the individual 18 suites having its own dining room, living room and private bar.
Rooms from 293 Euros (£261 GBP)
Exedra Boscolo Hotel, Piazza della Republica 47, 00187 Rome
Tel: +39 06 489 381
Discreetly Glamorous - Hotel Eden
Oozing an understated opulence that has recently been restored, The Eden is favourably located between
Via Veneto and the Spanish Steps and dates back to 1889. Frequented by many stars and millionaires from Ingrid Bergman to Cameron Diaz, Hotel Eden is once again one of Rome's top hotels. With over a hundred rooms it retains its sense of intimacy despite providing superb meeting facilties, a spa and fitness centre, and gastronomic delights in its rooftop restaurant La Terrazza dell'Eden. One sour note for a hotel of this reputation is the fee for room based internet.
Rooms from 280 Euros (£249 GBP)
Hotel Eden, Via Ludovisi 49, 00187 Rome
Tel: +39 06 478 121
Contemporary Minimalism - Radisson SAS
Attracting business travellers and design conscious customers, the Radisson may not be located in
the most attractive area (adjacent to the Termini Station) but it's still less than 1km to The Piazza Venezia and the Roman Forum. Designed to resemble an ocean liner, you will either love or loathe the stark, industrial look but instead focus on the (rare) rooftop swimming pool (open in the summer season) offering panoramic views of the city from the pool and bar and all technology mod cons including free wi-fi in all their streamlined rooms.
Rooms from 140 Euros (£125 GBP)
Radisson SAS Hotel, Via Filippo Turati 171, 00185 Rome
Tel: +39 06 444 841
www.radissonblu.com
Peaceful Chic - Sant'Anselmo
Tucked away on the Aventino hill, one of the city's most exclusive residential areas, the Hotel Sant'Anselmo is an elegant 19th century villa surrounded by a scented garden where you can take breakfast amongst the orange trees protected from the traffic and hurly burly of central Rome but still accessible to the Historical Centre by foot, public or private transport. This is an opportunity to soak up the less public face of Rome such as the nearby Benedictine Monastery and it's only a short walk to the Colosseum and Imperial Forums. Each room is indiviually furnished in a mixture of extravagant baroque and modern pieces with many rooms featuring four-poster beds and statement bathtubs surrounded by marble.
Rooms from 130 Euros (£115 GBP)
Hotel Sant'Aselmo, Piazza Sant' Anselmo 2, 00153 Rome
Tel: +39 06 570 057
Rome's Top 10 Restaurants
Al Presidente
Italian Smart $-$$
A stylish choice for a quiet business lunch, it's exterior is so discreet that it's easy to stroll right past it to the nearby Trevi Fountain.. Al Presidente, named because it sits beneath the walls of the presidential palace at the foot of the Quirinale, has a menu that resounds with fish and presents some Roman classics with a twist.
Al Presidente, Via Arcione 95, Rome
Tel: 39 06 679 7342
Il Chianti
Italian Casual $
A delightful Tuscan restaurant with a leafy patio just a dozen steps from the Trevi Fountain that remains an island of good food in a sea of pizza and pasta joints.
Il Chianti, Via del Lavatore 81/82a, Rome
Tel: 39 06 678 7550
www.vineriailchianti.com
Palatium - Enoteca Regionale
Italian Stylish $
Frequented by knowledgeable foodies, this sleek modern wine bar and restaurant, near the Spanish Steps, is a place to savour traditional regional classics of Rome and Lazio such as fried baccala (cod) and abbachio (milk fed lamb) at an excellent price. Don't expect to find an English menu here but friendly waiters are on hand to help.
Palatium, Via Frattina 94, Rome
Tel: 39 06 6920 2132
www.enotecapalatium.it
Open Colonna
Roman Chic $-$$
Open Colonna, a glass restaurant set on top of the refurbished art exhibition space Palazzo delle Esposizioni, is still one of Rome's hottest dining experiences. Antonello Colonna presides over his kitchen and restaurant, skilfully executing Roman specialities with a menu that changes daily. The two course city lunch is a bargin at 15 Euros served Tuesday - Friday or Brunch at 28 Euros Saturday and Sunday.
Open Colona, Via Milano 9A, Rome
Tel: +39 06 478 22641
www.antonellocolonna.it
Settimio all'Arancio
Florentine Trendy $$
Skip the more predictable tourist trattorias and head for this hole-in-the-wall, locals hangout. Squeeze down a narrow alleyway to feast on mouth-wateringly tender bistecca alla florentina (a Florentine T bone) that arrives sizzling on a hot stone with crisp fried potatoes and grilled vegetables.
Settimio all'Arancio, Via dell'Arancio 50, Rome
Tel: +39 06 687 6119
www.settimioallarancio.com
La Buca di Ripetta
Italian Casual $
Located just off Piazza Popolo in the North Center, this charming restaurant (complete with a vespa parked inside) produces creative, fresh cuisine at reasonable prices and with the all important excellent wine list. Try the ravioli filled with radicchio and truffles or the risotto with red pumpkin and Amaretto di Saronno.
La Buca di Ripetta, Via Ripetta 36, Rome
Tel: +39 06 321 9391
www.labucadiripetta.com
Agata e Romeo
Modern Italian Smart $$
For that special business lunch, look no further. The husband-and-wife team of Agata Pariselle and Romeo Caraccio have created the winning combination of extremely high quality ingredients used with flair and imagination, an incredible wine cellar and warm, friendly service. A real treat.
Agata e Romeo, Via Carlo Alberto 45, Termini, Rome
Tel: +39 06 446 6115
www.agataeromeo.it
Glass Hostaria
Modern Italian Trendy $
Soaring ceilings and modern, exposed brick columns combine with innovative cooking using fresh, local and seasonal ingredients for a truly memorable experience. Dishes such as tagliolini pasta with scallops, lemongrass and salmon caviar or rack of lamb with hibiscus tea-infused prune, quinoa and rocket sauce are favourites to be accompanied by one of Glass's 600 wine labels - and all at affordable prices.
Glass Hostaria, Vicolo del Cinque 58, Trastevere, Rome
Tel: +39 06 5833 5903
www.glass-hostaria.com
Taverna degli Amici
Classic Italian Smart $
Serving the many politicians and celebrities from nearby Democratici di Sinistra who favour this ivy clad taverna in a quintessentially pretty piazza, lunchtime can be busy. Fresh fish is a staple, together with the usual suspects of pasta, risotto and meat classics in a menu that changes daily and is served by unpretentious and discreet staff.
Taverna degli Amici, Piazza Margana 37, Ghetto, Rome
Tel: +39 06 6992 0637
www.latavernadegliamici.com
Roscioli
Roman Casual $-$
This bakery and restaurant (on two nearby locations in the heart of Centro Storica) have been owned and run by the same family for four generations and serving the best bread in Rome supplying many local restaurants in addition to its own.
The bakery (Via dei Chiavari ) is perfect for their famous Roman pizza (eaten folded in half) as a snack ‘to go' or standing at the barrels outside. Round the corner on Via Giubbonari, the youngest Roscoli brothers have transformed their food and wine emporium into a little restaurant. The magnificent display counter of wonderful ham, salami and over 150 types of cheese is still by the door but now with tables at the back serving delicious Roman soups and pasta with a good choice of wines by the glass.
Roscoli Bakery, Via dei Chiavari 34, Centro Storica, Rome
Tel: +39 06 686 4045
Roscoli Restaurant, Via dei Giubbonari, 2, Centro Storica, Rome
Tel: +39 06 687 5287
www.anticofornoroscoli.com