Rome Reimagined: A New Era of Luxury Hospitality in the Eternal City
BONUS: A guide to Rome's luxury accommodations
For years, luxury in Rome meant gilded mirrors, heavy brocade, and a certain reverence for tradition that rarely left room for reinterpretation. While this classical elegance still holds its charm, a new era has quietly taken root- one that feels lighter, more experiential, and far more aligned with today’s luxury traveler.
From bold new interiors to immersive wellness offerings and rooftop cocktails that rival the city’s ancient views, Rome’s latest hotel openings are changing the way we stay in the Eternal City. Here's how.
A Toast to the New Rome: Elevated Bars & Mixology Programs
Rome’s luxury hotels are no longer just a place to sleep- they’re becoming destinations for aperitivo, nightlife, and inventive mixology. The city’s rooftop scene has exploded in recent years, offering panoramic views paired with meticulously crafted cocktails and stylish ambiance. At Hotel de la Ville, the rooftop bar Cielo earned a spot on the World’s 50 Best Bars list- a first for Rome and a clear signal that the city’s bar culture is stepping onto the global stage.
These aren’t just pretty spaces. They’re thoughtful expressions of the hotels themselves, merging design, music, local ingredients, and curated menus that go beyond the expected. Whether you’re sipping a saffron Negroni with views of the Spanish Steps or enjoying a Roman take on a whisky sour beneath sculptural lighting, these hotel bars are defining what modern Roman evenings look and taste like.
The Rise of Wellness-Centric Luxury
For travelers seeking more than sightseeing and pasta, Rome’s hotels are answering the call for rejuvenation. Wellness has become a pillar of the luxury experience here, with new openings offering programs that rival destination retreats. Six Senses Rome leads the way, integrating Roman bathing traditions with modern biohacking and personalized wellness pathways. Guests move through a circuit of caldarium, tepidarium, and frigidarium, followed by infrared treatments and sound therapy, all within steps of the Pantheon.
Elsewhere, Irene Forte’s Sicilian-inspired skincare rituals anchor the spa offerings at Rocco Forte’s hotels, while Bulgari’s vast spa nods to the grandeur of ancient baths with a serene, mosaic-tiled pool. This new wave of wellness isn’t just about indulgence, it’s about aligning body, mind, and place. And in a city as layered as Rome, that’s a welcome balance.
An Urban Oasis: Where Hotels Feel Like Resorts
Rome may be a dense and dynamic city, but several of its luxury hotels now offer the feel of a true resort escape, without ever leaving the center. Properties like Bulgari Hotel Roma and Villa Agrippina Gran Meliá provide guests with sprawling gardens, pools, and full-scale wellness facilities, creating a rare sense of calm amidst the Roman rhythm.
These hotels aren’t just places to rest, they’re designed to restore. Guests float in pools surrounded by umbrella pines, dine al fresco on tucked-away terraces, and stroll landscaped grounds that feel miles from the tourist core. This resort-style experience is a newer layer in Rome’s hotel scene, and a welcome one for travelers who crave both immersion and retreat.
Fashion, Design & the New Wave of Brand-Backed Luxury
Rome has always been stylish, but recently, the city has become a canvas for luxury fashion houses and design-forward hotel concepts. The arrival of Bulgari Hotel Roma, with its sleek palette and nods to Italian craftsmanship, marks a bold statement: heritage brands see Rome not just as a destination, but as a design playground. And they’re not alone.
The Rome EDITION brings Ian Schrager’s signature aesthetic to the heart of the city, balancing minimalist architecture with bold Italian flair. These hotels feel intentionally curated, blending the rigor of luxury fashion with the storytelling of hospitality. The result? Spaces that don’t just reflect style, but set it.
It’s a new chapter for the Eternal City—one that embraces design as a central character in the guest experience. From sculptural furniture to custom fragrance profiles and gallery-level artwork, Rome’s newest hotels are turning heads for all the right reasons.
A City That Evolves Without Losing Its Soul
Rome has always known how to enchant. But now, it also knows how to surprise. With a new class of hotels offering layered experiences that range from rooftop mixology to curated wellness and fashion-forward design, the Eternal City is proving it can evolve without ever losing its soul. This is Rome, reimagined—and it’s only getting better.
Want My Curated Hotel Guide for Rome?
If you’re planning a trip to Rome—or guiding your clients through one—I’ve created a curated hotel guide exclusively for La Storia paid subscribers. It highlights the properties mentioned here and more, organized by neighborhood, style, and special features like pools, spas, or rooftop experiences.
This guide was built to save you hours of research and help you choose a hotel that aligns with your travel style, whether you’re looking for sleek and modern, wellness-centered, or something that feels like a hidden resort within the city.