Best places to stay:
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.
The surrounding area of Prati is dotted with art deco townhouses lining the Tiber River.
Further back is busy Via Cola di Rienzo, full of shops, cinemas and restaurants, with St. Peter’s and the Vatican Museums at the far end. The garden adds to the exclusive feel.
Want more recommendations in this destination?
Destination Guide >Please note - we hope to one day have live prices for you, but for now, here are some useful links for you to compare prices...
Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Rome, Lazio, Italy[1.3 miles]
Zaha Hadid’s futuristic contemporary art and architecture museum is a modern masterpiece on Rome’s ancient skyline. A refreshing change from all that history.
Best for ages: 18+ | £10
Vatican City, Lazio, Italy[1.8 miles]
A mind-bogglingly opulent complex of museums, home to one of the greatest hoards of treasure, antiquities and art anywhere.
Best for ages: 13+ | £15
Rome, Lazio, Italy[1.9 miles]
One of the world’s greatest private art collections – that of the extraordinarily wealthy, art-mad Borghese family – housed in a stunning 17th-century villa surrounded by exquisite, landscaped gardens.
Best for ages: 18+ | £11
Rome, Lazio, Italy[2 miles]
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Vatican City is the world’s smallest sovereign nation-state and Holy See of the Roman Catholic Church. Within its borders are St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and Apostolic Palace, home to the Pope.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first
Rome, Lazio, Italy[0.7 miles]
Former pleasure palace of Pope Julius III, now houses the world’s greatest collections of Etruscan art. It includes artefacts and finds from the Banditaccia Necropolis at Cerveteri.
Best for ages: 18+ | £9
Rome, Lazio, Italy[1.1 miles]
Excellent 19th- and 20th-century art with works by Canova, by Italy’s Impressionists (the Macchiaioli, ‘splatterers’) and Futurists such as Balla and Boccioni. Also paintings by De Chirico, Modigliani, Klimt, Monet, Van Gogh, Cézanne and Kandinsky.
Best for ages: 18+ | £7
Rome, Lazio, Italy[1.5 miles]
Walk the Passetto do Borgo that connects the Vatican with Castel Sant’Angelo, used by Pope Clement VII to flee mercenaries in 1527. It’s only open in July and August; enter via the castle.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Rome, Lazio, Italy[1.6 miles]
A theatrical masterpiece, the Spanish Steps were designed by Francesco de Sanctis in 1725 and paid for by the French. At the top is Villa Borghese; at the bottom lies the boat-shaped Fontana della Barcaccia (by Bernini’s dad).
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay
Lazio, Italy
The Eternal City – 2,000 extraordinary years of glory, greatness and triumph – and decadence, murder and destruction – evidenced by some of the world’s most iconic, must-see monuments and museums.
