Review: Hotel de la Ville, Rome

The era of the Grand Tour, a glamorous period in the 17th and 18th centuries which saw European noblemen embark on a quest for cultural learning, is brought into the modern day with Rocco Forte’s long-awaited second Rome property. Design director Olga Polizzi and architect Tommaso Ziffer were inspired by the history of this age at every touch point – from rich velvet fabrics and tapestries to digitally printed wall mosaics and marble busts. The vibrant jewel-toned palette weaves its way from the public spaces to the rooms and suites for a lush, coherent aesthetic.

The De La Ville Spa is a feast for the senses and the soul. Enjoy Pilates, anti-ageing rituals that enhance natural collagen production or a specialised facial from organic, natural Sicilian skincare brand Irene Forte to revive, restore or rejuvenate. The Mediterranean salt room, with its warm glow, is designed to improve respiratory function, calm and detoxify, while the ice fountain is said to increase and improve circulation. Post-treatment, chill out on your heated lounge bed mesmerised by nature videos. If outdoor wellness is what you prefer, you can look forward to tranquil private or scheduled small group yoga sessions on the rooftop with views that stretch across Rome’s domes and Vatican City.

The brand is pioneering wellness with a focus on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. And so, even beyond the spa, mind and body are a priority throughout the hotel right through to your suite. A host of in-room services like a sleep kit and a selection of mindfulness recordings will ensure you get a good night’s rest. Meditation sessions can also be taken in a group setting on the terrace or, even better, in the privacy of your room.

With breathtaking views of Rome’s skyline, the split-level rooftop Cielo Bar is the hottest address in town. Here, the barman has created a range of signature wine cocktails, like the Caput Mundi with Sauvignon Blanc, Mastiha liqueur, Drambuie and bay leaves. Bar snacks include Asian style dim sum dumplings with a local twist, using fillings such as eggplant, chickpea and lentils. Then there’s the opulent eye-catching décor of Julep, a bar featuring vermouth and herbal elixir cocktails inspired by the scents of the 13th-century spice route that began in Venice. Try the Long Journey, with Nikka From the Barrel whisky, China Clementi, maple syrup and Madagascar vanilla.

With its street-side position and striking chequered flooring, the iconic Roman trattoria Da Sistina has a distinct local feel, delivering sophisticated instalments of usually rustic classics like carbonara and rigatoni with braised oxtail. At the more upscale Mosaico, enjoy alfresco dining inspired by the cultural mix that characterised the Roman Empire. Here, executive chef Fulvio Pierangelini flirts with contrasting local ingredients and international flavours. Think naan bread with burrata and manaqish with coloured hummus. Enjoy classics like the timeless club sandwich in the red-and-white-umbrella-lined courtyard.

roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/hotel-de-la-ville/

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SEE ALSO: Review: Lindley Lindenberg, Frankfurt

This article was originally published in the February 2020 issue of SilverKris magazine.