Honouring Ancient Rome: Two Hotels That Tell Endless Stories Of The Eternal City

These two Roman jewels by the Rocco Forte Hotels group are filled with stories of the eternal city that live on through the art, architecture and décor

The ancient architecture, sculptures on every corner, galleries and historic churches – Rome is truly an open-air museum. The preserved buildings tell stories of a bygone era, the cobbled streets have seen many walks and the frescos on the walls and ceilings remind us of what once was. It’s only fitting, then, to stay in hotels that honour the city’s rich past while providing the comforts of modern luxury – properties that offer the best of Italian culture and hold great respect for the city’s treasured roots.

Hotel de Russie

Hotel de Russie, preciously described as the ‘jewel of the Rocco Forte Hotels’ group, lies along the historic Via del Babuino street between two of Rome’s most famous piazzas, Piazza di Spagna and Piazza del Popolo. At the foot of the Pincio hill and just steps from the beautiful Via Margutta, the hotel is in an ideal location for visiting the city’s most important sites and monuments, and for strolling among the shopping streets.

With a long history that traces back to the 19th century, Hotel de Russie joined the Rocco Forte Hotels family in 2000. In 1816 the land was purchased by Marquis Francesco Lucernari who acquired it from the Archconfraternity of SS. Annunziata, with the vision of giving life to a completely new building, which was entrusted to the late architect Giuseppe Valadier, who at the time was also working on the two semicircles in Piazza del Popolo. Guests of the hotel are invited to discover the architect’s legacy, which lives on through the storied design.

Architect Tommaso Ziffer was in charge of the internal remodel of the building, under the creative direction of Olga Polizzi, Design Director of Rocco Forte Hotels. The result was an eclectic interior design that nods to various styles that fuse history with modernity, allowing the most contemporary concepts to live with the classic architecture. The lounges and common rooms, like the guestrooms, are tinged with pastel tones from bluish green to sandy off-white, accented by shades of amethyst which complement the linear furniture, some of which is Asian-inspired with hints of black and orange.

Hotel de Russie, in my opinion, is the most beautiful hotel in Rome,” admits Olga. “None other boasts a garden like ours – a true oasis in the heart of the city where you can relax. The restyling took into consideration all the rooms, which are now decidedly refreshed. We also added new, vibrant colours – like the papal shades of orange and violet – and a touch of everlastingness with original details on the cushions and wallpaper. Our project came to life with the hope of allowing guests of Hotel de Russie to feel immediately at one with the eternal city thanks to an original design and a classic, contemporary style which has always distinguished this hotel.”

The Hotel de Russie takes its name from the guests the building has played host to, including Romantic painters and intellectuals; Picasso even stayed from February-April 1917, when he arrived in Italy alongside French poet Jean Cocteau who described the hotel as an “earthly paradise”.

In 2021 the restyling project saw the hotel lobby feature prominent warm shades of brown, orange, green and ochre, depicting a Roman living room, and elements of the early 20th century – such as the bas-relief by sculptor Pietro Monti – blend with modern furniture. The marriage between tradition and modernity can be appreciated throughout the property.

Fabrics by Dedar and C&C Milano adorn the bespoke armchairs and sofas, while the side tables and consoles have been sourced from Il Bronzetto in Florence. The refurbishment project also included the hotel rooms and suites, where a special focus has been given to rearranging the spaces, the lighting, and the wardrobe and bathroom areas. Today, the hotel sports a brand-new aesthetic that optimises the liveability of the rooms, enhancing guests’ stays at the prized property without losing its originality.

Hotel de la Ville

Rome is best discovered by foot, and Hotel de la Ville is a perfect starting point. Nestled in the iconic Via Sistina street overlooking Piazza di Spagna and Trinità dei Monti, the hotel sits at the gates of the gorgeous Villa Borghese gardens. With history dating back to the 18th century, the building was classified as a hotel at the beginning of the ‘20s and was then expanded in the mid-20th century.

Tommaso Ziffer was the architect behind the project, who, together with Olga Polizzi, looked to the Grand Tour for inspiration, an era in which English and German intellectuals travelled to the European capitals, especially Italy, collecting art.

With the historic palazzo as a canvas, Tommaso reimagined a contemporary retrospective that pays tribute to the culture of that period, inviting guests to discover the undying charm of the timeless building. The process of preserving the historical heritage was also thanks to Italian artisans, for example through the custom, hand-made wallpaper by Rubelli and Dedar, and the use of Italian fabrics and a refined selection of vintage tapestries by Zardi & Zardi. The inner courtyard thrives with the spirit of Italian culture, offering a secret little hideaway from the city without drifting from the romantic soul of Rome.

George Carter – a designer specialised in gardens inspired by the geometric lines of the 17th century – creatively re-envisioned the space bringing together three buildings and incorporating elements that recall the Grand Tour. Today, Hotel de la Ville welcomes guests from the world over who come for a visit, and leave with an everlasting experience of history.

Images Courtesy of Rocco Forte Hotels

From the Winter 2024 issue of Harper’s Bazaar Interiors.