Hotels

Comprising just two apartments within Palazzo Ruspoli, this is one of Rome’s most exclusive addresses. It’s named after Napoleon III, who lived here in 1830, and is today owned by Principessa Letizia Ruspoli, who often welcomes guests herself. The two apartments differ widely in style but have their own drawcards: the opulent Napoleon Suite has two ornately brocaded and gilded living rooms in which you can lounge like an aristocrat from yesteryear; while the rooftop suite is a bright and breezy affair with modern appointments and a staggeringly huge private rooftop terrace.

Eleonora Pastore, founder of the highly regarded Nora P design studio (see retail section), has imbued the six apartments at Casacau with their own distinct vintage flair. Bose soundsystems and iPads bring things into the 21st century, although you won’t find any TVs. 

The apartments all have stocked kitchens but take advantage of owner Pino Cau’s dining tips: he’s a hospitality-industry insider who co-owns two Michelin-starred restaurants (Pipero al Rex and Stazione di Posta). “Rome is very touristic so it’s important that people have good advice and know where the Romans eat,” he says.

Palazzo Montemartini is our preferred option in Rome for those who prefer a slick, corporate environment with all the trimmings. That’s not to say it’s short on character – the building dates back to 1881 and is located next to the Baths of Diocletian (circa 300AD) and the Michelangelo-designed church of Santa Maria degli Angeli. Once the home of the Montemartini family it was bought by Atac and used as the transport company’s headquarters until 2008. After lengthy renovations by architecture firm King Roselli Architetti, the hotel opened in 2013.

The cavernous bar and lounge has retained its grand columns from its old life as a transport ticketing office, and much of the furniture in the 82 guest rooms (22 of them are suites) is bespoke. The ground floor is given over to a 600 sq metre spa and Turkish hammam that offers chromotherapy sensory showers and a salt room. There’s also a lap pool, courtyard, rooftop bar and the fine-dining Senses Restaurant.