© Zaha Hadid Architects / Photography: Jacopo Spilimbergo

As the adage goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day, but its splendour is omnipresent every corner you turn. Similarly, after many years of design, redevelopments, and last but not least, delays, the opulent ROMEO Roma hotel has finally opened its doors and is also a sight to behold. Only the second property of boutique hotel chain ROMEO Collection, the hotel is located on the premises of Palazzo Capponi, a 16th-century Baroque-style structure, just a short stroll down from Piazza del Popolo in the city’s historic Tridente neighbourhood. The has undergone several modifications since being constructed, and in the 1950s, two wings were added and other redevelopments were executed which resulted in the displacement and overpainting of 17th-century frescoes.

However, ROMEO Roma‘s latest renewal, created by acclaimed London-based practice Zaha Hadid Architects, sees a glorious returns of these painstakingly restored ornate frescoes.  From the reception area, guests pass into the former courtyard, now vaulted with a retractable glass roof. This newly enclosed lobby is a distribution point from which the restored grand stairways lead to guest rooms and, beyond, to the garden. The hotel features 74 guest rooms and suites, all created with special attention to design – mind you, the fluid aesthetic Zaha Hadid Architects is renowned for is more than evident – and obviously, offering maximum comfort you’d expect from a five-star hotel. Created to be cutting-edge, each pad guarantees a very memorable experience.

At 111 sqm. (1,195 sq.ft.), the Fresco Grand Suite isn’t the hotel’s most spacious, but given its sleek decor paired with breathtakingly opulent frescoes, it’s undoubtedly our favourite. The material palette matches the building’s grandeur, and includes Carrara Statuarietto and Nero Marquina marble, Makassar ebony, cedar or chestnut woods, and innovative Krion engineered by Porcelanosa. During the hotel contruction ancient Roman walls and a rich collection of artefacts, including statues and relics, have been discovered which have been embedded in hotel design, transforming the premises into a fascinating living museum. Needless to say, ROMEO Roma is all about La dolce vita, and comes with a set of facilities that’ll entice the most jaded of travellers.

The informal Il Bar, on the ground floor, is readily available for cocktails made from local ingredients, a broad selection of wines, and non-alcoholic drinks. Discreetly tucked away, Il Cortile, or courtyard, offers simple tasty dishes is a stylish setting. Il Ristorante Alain Ducasse, offering the cuisine of Michelin-starred super chef Alain Ducasse, is in a class of its own. Refined Italian fare is served in an elegant and intimate setting. Up on the roof guests can sit back at La Terrazza, a swanky bar featuring both classic and innovative cocktails, paired with fresh, seasonal cuisine, and sweeping views of the Eternal City. Too much good life? Check. A Sisley Spa with private rooms is readily available on the premises, offering exclusive phyto-aromatic treatments and beauty rituals to rejuvenate both body and mind. Obviously, the spa comes with its very own gym and pool. © superfuture

ROMEO Roma
Via di Ripetta 246 (Tridente)
00186 Rome
Telephone +39 6 6 45545000

© Zaha Hadid Architects / Photography: Jacopo Spilimbergo and Chris Dalton