Where to stay in Rome - Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese Hotel

When you are lucky enough to live in Rome you get a lot of questions about where to stay in Rome. 

The problem is that I don’t stay in hotels in Rome. I have a small list of places owned or recommended by friends (you can find it on my Rome for Visitors page) but that list needs expanding. I have plenty to choose from because quite a few new hotels opened or renovated during the quiet months of the pandemic. 

Let's start with the Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese Hotel

The 19th century palazzo which is next to the Villa Borghese and a 10 minute walk to the top of the Spanish Steps was just refurbished by French architect, Jean-Phillipe Nuel. There are 78 rooms, a rooftop restaurant & cocktail bar, meeting rooms, and a small gym. There is plenty of relaxing appeal in the properties minimalism that counters some of Rome’s more Baroque excesses. It was described to me as Joie di Vivre meets La Dolce Vita. Now that sounds like an idea we could all get behind.

All about the details 

I really loved the take on Venetian-style palazzo floors in the public spaces which I learned were in part due to COVID health regulations that prohibited carpet. After over a year at home I am ready to change a few things in my apartment. My home decorating plans are sure to be inspired by the matte finish used on the Carrara marble in the guest room shower and on the minimalist credenzas in the on-site restaurant. I definitely googled where to buy the 600-thread count sheets. Good news. The Sofitel has an online boutique. The collection of tiny emerald colored bottles of Hermès toiletries are in my overnight bag, ready for my next adventure. 

Practical things like silent and swift AC, no small thing on a muggy June afternoon, an in-room Illy espresso machine, and amenity kits with masks and hand sanitizer make everything easier and more comfortable.

Rooftop Dining 

Chef Giuseppe D’Alessio oversees the  rooftop restaurant Settimo Restaurant. There is a splendid view of the park in one direction and out towards San Pietro, Trinità dei Monti & the Pantheon on the other. The menu features contemporary Roman cuisine. My dinner of fettuccini all vongole and a glass of velvety grechetto from Latour a Civitella was distanced but full of Italians oohing and ahing at theater of only in Rome light with cries of Ma che bella la luce! 

I thought about ordering room service breakfast to extend my time in my comfortable, spacious room but decided to head back up to the roof. A cappuccino with a view of the top of Pantheon in the distance wss the right choice.  It took a great deal of self control to not take the entire tray of breakfast pastries (tiny baguettes! flaky croissants!) home with me. 

The rooftop is open to the public and I recommend booking the nook with the curved green velvet sofa for your next rooftop cocktail meet-up with friends. 

Disclosure: I was an invited guest of the Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese and this is a paid partnership, but rest assured you will only ever hear my honest opinion. 

Practicalities

Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese

Via Lombardia 47 

00187 ROME 

ITALY

Tel: +3906478021

Fax: (+39)06/4821019

Contact email : H1312-RE@ACCOR.COM