18 Best places to stay in Rome

Located above the ruins of imperial Rome – Trajan’s Forum on the slopes of the Viminale (the smallest of Rome’s Seven Hills) – this little luxury retreat is a stone’s throw from bustling tourist Rome, yet seems miles.

Tucked down a medieval alley in the Monti neighbourhood, romantics will love the rooms – many have four-poster beds and fireplaces; some have private jacuzzis.

There’s no proper restaurant on-site, but some of the city’s best trattorias are within walking distance. There is, however, a delightful roof garden, where you’re served breakfast, snacks and evening drinks while enjoying views of the Campidoglio.

By far the most astonishing feature, however, is the excavated ancient cryptic Roman portico underneath the building discovered in 1887 – considered a treasure of ancient Rome.

A popular choice with the style cognoscenti since 1925, the Locarno is a discreet time warp hotel located near delightful Piazza del Popolo and all the main attractions.

Each of the opulent rooms has been individually decorated, some with art nouveau furniture. Some rooms are less grand than others, but they’re still very comfortable.

The hotel is housed in an 18th-century palazzo with an adjoining vine-clad garden, the perfect setting for breakfast or drinks in the summer months.

The historic ground-floor bar resembles something out of a film set; and in the evening don’t miss sipping a digestivo on the rooftop terrace

Since opening, this 29-room, 19th-century nobleman’s palace has been winning widespread critical acclaim.

It’s high tech and packed with the latest gadgets, yet manages to retain the exclusive feel of an aristocratic home, and has been beautifully decorated throughout. All the rooms are individually designed, adorned with contemporary artworks selected by local art galleries – all of which are for sale.

There’s a two Michelin-starred restaurant on-site, and a lovely roof terrace with bar, casual restaurant and Rome views – a delight when weather permits.

This private art gallery is perfectly positioned for shopping, eating out and sightseeing. It’s right in the centre of Rome, close to the upscale shopping of Via del Corso (Rome’s answer to Fifth Avenue), and walkable to all Rome’s major sights. Flaminio Metro Station is a five-minute walk.

It’s targeted at creative and business types, but is intimate and stylish enough to be a romantic hideaway too.

Spread over the third floor of an enormous 19th-century palazzo on Piazza del Popolo, this lovely B&B features five sumptuous and very comfortable designer rooms.

Design and furnishings are top-notch, and the ever-friendly and helpful staff are available if you need anything. A continental breakfast of breads, croissants, yoghurt, fruit and fresh coffee and juices, made to order, are served each morning. During the day, room service of light snacks and drinks are available.

The location is excellent for sightseeing – nearly all the major attractions of Rome are within a half-hour walk.

It’s perfect for couples who prefer privacy in a non-hotel atmosphere.

With a combination of creature comforts and stylish, understated design, these luxurious boutique suites offer a superb home-away-from-home after a hard day’s sightseeing.

Rooms feature luxury touches like frette linens and silky duvets, Nespresso coffee machines, Comfort Zone products, and Bose sound systems.

Although there are only 14 rooms, the staff offer the concierge services of a big hotel.

There’s no restaurant or room service, but there are many restaurants and cafes nearby.

The rooftop terrace is a delight; an ideal spot for breakfast and for winding down with an evening drink.

With most of central Rome in walking distance, it’s perfect for both shopping fashionistas or couples or families (rooms can be inter-connected) visiting the sights.

Places to stay on Rome’s lively left bank are few and far between, and this three-star hotel in a handsome 17th-century cloister filled with orange trees is one of the best. It’s a peaceful enclave in the centre of one of Rome’s liveliest, most authentic districts. Trastevere’s buzzing trattorias and bars are on the doorstep.

Rooms in the former monks’ cells are sunny, if a touch austere. They’re all similar, and look out onto the garden cloister where breakfast is served; those off the second, smaller courtyard are quieter. The various two-level suites, sleeping up to six, are great for families

It’s an ideal choice for couples or families who want to visit Rome’s sights while experiencing local life away from the main tourist vortices. The Vatican and the heart of medieval Rome are a 10-15 minute walk away just over the Tiber bridges.

This luxury boutique hotel, in the old Foppa family palazzo, blends tasteful, modern rooms with the building’s authentic traditional features.

Accommodation is flexible, with a mix of suites, rooms, but the main draw is the location – just moments from Piazza Navona and walking distance to Rome’s major sights. St. Peter’s and the Vatican are about a mile away (or 20-minute walk). It’s a great value for such a convenient position.

A solid central choice, with just enough luxury, and it has a gym and spa to rejuvenate after a hard day’s sightseeing.

In a 17th-century townhouse, a block away from the Spanish Steps in the high fashion Tridente district, these seven stylishly cool suites are designed with Italian flair.

Run like an exclusive B&B, they offer a perfect base for shoppers, romantic couples looking for a cushy private bolt-hole, and tourists who don’t want to feel like tourists while staying within walking distance of the main sights.

Staying here is like having your own hip pied à terre in Rome’s most fashionable district.

The location is great for sightseers. It’s walking distance to Piazza Navona, the Vatican, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Rome’s other big-ticket attractions.

Located between Rome’s Regola and the Jewish quarters, the four-star Hotel Chapter Roma has a cutting-edge urban style that sets it apart from the city’s more old-school options. Its industrial-luxe interiors, murals by local street artists, and Mexico-themed cocktail bar channel the contemporary cool of the Eternal City.

An ideal base for seeing the sights, guests can plot a course from the hotel to Piazza di Spagna, walking past Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain. When evening falls, Trastevere’s thumping nightlife is just across Ponte Garibaldi.

There are two in-house restaurants for fine dining or sushi and a breezy terrace for views of Rome’s characteristic domes and rooftops.

Digital nomads, rambling entrepreneurs, and solo travellers flock to the HeyBaby bar, which doubles as a co-working space and social-networking hub.

Celebrities patronise this elegantly luxurious Rocco Forte hotel, perfectly located between the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo, close to Rome’s major sites.

Cool, calming interiors, and a lovely outdoor terrace with views over beautiful terraced gardens, make this an oasis from the bustle outside, while the spa – one of Rome’s best – features a Finnish sauna, steam bath and saltwater whirlpool bath, soothes and rejuvenates tired sightseers.

It’s family-friendly, yet retains a discreetly romantic quality for couples.

A rare place to stay on the Aventine – a very peaceful district in central Rome – this 19th-century villa was thoroughly remodeled in 2006.

Rooms are lavish, featuring original woodwork, marble baths, and sumptuous yet contemporary Baroque furnishings and fabrics.

There’s not much in the way of amenities for a four-star property, but it does have a lovely courtyard garden. Breakfast and afternoon tea are served there to the accompaniment of birdsong. There’s no restaurant, though there are many excellent ones nearby.

It has a lovely, tranquil feel, away from the hurly-burly of Rome; yet the hotel is within walking distance of many city sights. It’s a lovely choice for couples who want to combine Rome with romance and relaxation.

Set amongst the tree-lined Prati neighbourhood, Mama Shelter’s unorthodox style is courtesy of designer Benjamin El Doghaili’s mish-mosh of colours, patterns and textures.

After a day of touring, take a break in one of the hotel’s 217 spacious rooms or get right down to pampering at Mama’s Baths with pool, steam room and sauna. The hotel’s main anchors are the rooftop bar and ground-floor indoor Winter Garden restaurant – next door is a pizza restaurant ‘La Pizzeria’.

It’s an easy walk from the hotel to St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican Museums and the Cipro Metro Line A to many of Rome’s main attractions.

Located on Via Giulia, one of Rome’s most beautiful streets and convenient locale for sightseeing, the polished Hotel Indigo – St George Roma caters to the sophisticated traveller.

The 62 rooms all are tastefully decorated in a modern but warm classic style.; sometimes, with so much history outside, it’s refreshing to come home to some sophisticated chic.

To soothe the tired sightseer, the hotel features a spa with heated Jacuzzi and Turkish bath, and a lovely restaurant and roof terrace for dining by candlelight.

The location is excellent; it’s a fair distance from the tourist mayhem, yet close enough to be able to walk pretty much everywhere.

The Roman outpost of the Hoxton brand of lifestyle hotels offers a unique mix of affordable design and breezy service in an authentic, off-the-tourist-track neighbourhood ideal for those who want a live-like-a-local vibe.

An inviting modernist space, the open-house lobby that has become one of the city’s most happening lounges; it bustles with guests and area residents chatting and sipping. There’s a bar and two restaurants, and a lovely outdoor terrace is just the place for late-night gatherings.

From the hotel, you can catch public transit that connects to major sights like the Colosseum and the Roman Forum in less than 30 minutes.

A great choice for singles and couples.

Housed in a 16th-century palazzo, this hotel enjoys some of Rome’s most spectacular views, directly onto the Colosseum and the parasol pines of the Colle Oppio. It’s also a short walk to the Forum, Palatine, and Circus Maximus.

Its 12 rooms, two suites and seven grand view suites preserve the palace’s original marbles. Its roof boasts one of the city’s top gourmet restaurants.

All in all, it’s an unbeatable package for an immediate immersion into the unique splendour that is Rome – whether it’s your first or tenth visit.

Anna Fendi, of the Fendi fashion powerhouse, bought Villa Laetitia and transformed it into this 21-room boutique hotel housed in an art nouveau villa and restored 19th-century garden close to the Tiber.

Each room has been meticulously decorated with individually selected antiques, colour schemes and fashion sketches. Along with its intimate bar room, in 2013, the Villa added the Michelin-star Ciavattini restaurant.

Although it’s slightly off the beaten track, the peaceful setting, lush garden and townhouse atmosphere make the villa an attractive option away from the bustle of the historic centre.

There can be few, if any, better places to stay in Rome than this uber-stylish bolt-hole, set above the Ferragamo store.

First, the location is excellent – for both sightseeing and shopping – on fashion-central Via Condotti and close to all the major sights.

Second, its 14 suites are exquisitely and uniquely personalised with beautiful Ferragamo memorabilia, which combines with attentive service to create an intimate, authentic and exclusive feel. Spread across 6 floors, all have kitchenettes with microwaves and mini-dishwashers.

Little luxuries throughout make you feel special – pillow menus, complimentary iPads, luxury marble bathrooms, and even personal assistants. But the real highlight is the lovely roof terrace, where drinks and breakfast are served with sublime views over the city. It’s wonderfully cosy and romantic, with cushions, lanterns and an open fire in winter.

The only downside – it’s extremely popular, so you have to book months ahead to get in

History buffs should make a point of checking into Hotel Donna Camilla Savelli; a 17th-century convent on the edge of the trendy Trastevere neighbourhood.

The 99 elegant guestrooms, converted from monastic cells designed by the great baroque architect Francesco Borromini, it retains many of his original elements, including archways, a refectory, frescoes and even a pulpit.

There’s a fine roof terrace with great views over the Trastevere district. The cloistered garden, with its central fountain and palm and magnolia trees, is a haven away from Rome’s hustle and bustle.