Hotel del la Ville provided the writer with a complimentary two-night stay. The opinions expressed below are entirely the author’s and weren’t subject to review by the hotel or any external entity.
One couldn’t help but feel a little like Italy became the 51st U.S. state in recent months: Americans flocked to Italy this summer in droves amid a boom in demand for transatlantic travel.
For those considering their own Roman holiday — and willing to majorly splurge — one of the Eternal City’s most-coveted hotels sits at the top of the Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna. Hotel de la Ville is one of two Rocco Forte Hotels in Rome (the company also operates luxury private apartments at Rocco Forte House in the city) and, despite being steps away from one of the busiest attractions in the city, manages to be a sophisticated oasis removed from all the hustle and bustle.
A two-night stay at Hotel de la Ville made this American feel like he was living out his “La Dolce Vita” fantasy amid the luxe accommodations, rooftop view and even a Vespa tour of the Italian capital.
Here are the takeaways of my stay that offered up historic flare (despite the hotel only opening four years ago) without being a snooze — no offense to historic hotels elsewhere!
What is the Hotel de la Ville?
A tourist hot spot and hospitality that can transfix even the most discerning of critics are normally mutually exclusive offerings. Nobody heads to Times Square for the opulent turndown service, after all.
Yet, the Hotel de la Ville — Rocco Forte’s Roman outpost just a stone’s throw from the top of the Spanish Steps — manages to wow for its location and for its decadent service, accommodations and bars