Rocco Forte Hotels unveiled its second hotel in Rome, Hotel de la Ville, following the renovation of a historical 18-century palazzo. The property is located at the top of the Spanish Steps with views of the city.
The 104 rooms and suites are among the most spacious in Rome, while the signature suites have panoramic views of the city from their terraces. The Suite de la Ville located on the eighth floor, and accessible by a private elevator, is the hotel's crown jewel, furnished with a curated collection of contemporary and antique furniture and its own collection of art. The suite also has two panoramic terraces.
Designer Tommaso Ziffer, in collaboration with Olga Polizzi, director of design for Rocco Forte Hotels, was inspired by The Grand Tour of the 18th century when English and German nobles collected pieces of art during their cultural journeys to European cities. Using the backdrop of the palazzo, Ziffer recreated a contemporary retrospective of The Grand Tour in the design of the spaces. Working with local artisans, elements of the 18th century are shown through the display of handmade wallpaper from local designers Rubelli and Dedar, Italian fabrics and historic tapestries from Zardi & Zardi.
Hotel de la Ville is home to six food and beverage outlets, including Da Sistina, Mosaico, Julep bar and Cielo terrace bar.
At the center of the hotel is a courtyard. Fusing three buildings into one, the courtyard design was lifted by George Carter, a designer who specializes in creating gardens inspired by the geometry of 17th century. To keep within the Grand Tour concept, obelisks, greenery, and black and gold touches abound, evocative of ancient candle-lit spaces.
The property also has the 550-square-meter (5,920-square-foot) Rocco Forte Spa.