All hotels have been independently assessed and selected. We earn a commission if you book through the links below, but this never influences our rating.
Our expert writers are usually hosted for free to gain the first-hand experience necessary for their review.
Rome impresses with its historic ruins and wealth of art museums. But look beyond the splendor and you discover the more intimate heart of the Eternal City, a heart that beats to the rhythm of family-run trattorias, independent ateliers, old-fashioned coffee bars and pocket-sized piazze. The city’s hotel scene mimics this contrast – although the legendary grande dames take the spotlight, residing in the well-known hideaways in Rome’s new wave of understated chic boutique hotels, tucked into Renaissance mansions and behind Baroque piazzas. Browse the best boutique hotels in Rome here and experience the perfect Roman combination of historical weight and hospitality on a human scale.
How we assess
Each hotel on this curated list has been visited by one of our expert reviewers, usually hosted free of charge. They stay at least one night, test at least one meal and try other experiences the hotel may have to offer.
The best boutique hotels in Rome at a glance
A short sash from the Spanish Steps, this 14-suite retreat is one of the city’s most stylish luxury options, given panache by Michele Bonan’s tasteful, contemporary retro design. It’s plush and very private: think of it as a high-class residence rather than a hotel. When they say suites, they mean suites: even the entry-level ‘superiors’ are spacious. The discreet service, courtesy of a dedicated lifestyle team, is second to none – as is the cachet of the guest-only rooftop bar.
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From the moment you arrive, you get a sense of the boutique and bespoke feel of The H’All Tailor Suite. The elegant white building appears to be a residential building, in line with owners Riccardo and Ramona’s mission to make you feel at home. Hence the name: everything here is about a personal experience. Artworks from Rome’s Mucciaccia contemporary art gallery adorn the walls in each of the 14 uniquely decorated rooms, blending perfectly with the minimalist and stylish design pieces and furnishings. The famous All’Oro restaurant is also equipped with a luxurious, colorful interior.
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Architect and designer Giampiero Panepinto has created a series of wonderfully stylish yet teasingly playful spaces by combining references that range from rococo to 19th-century decadence to mid-century modern. It’s aimed squarely at cultured, independent globetrotters, and virtually any request can be met, from child-oriented private tours of Rome to yoga and massages. The club-like bar/restaurant, which opens into a small, intimate, plant-lined outdoor courtyard, makes you want to slip into the vintage Valentino and enjoy a Negroni.
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In a corner of Rome where a number of stylish boutique hotels have blossomed, Elizabeth is perhaps the standout player. Like many Roman boutique hotels, it is a modern space within a historic palazzo, with beautiful interiors that combine a sophisticated color palette with mid-century décor and custom touches such as custom lighting and Colosseum-inspired accent tables. What makes this boutique hotel so special, however, is its remarkable collection of contemporary Italian art, curated by one of Rome’s most prestigious galleries.
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If you’ve ever wanted to live like a ruling modern-day Roman family, Villa Laetitia is the place. Acquired by Anna, sister of the Fendi clan, the Liberty-era villa is a Belle Epoque era piece, a secluded urban retreat and a fine balance between artisan hotelling, haute design and epicurean flair. The 21 rooms of the luxury villa are located both in the villa and in the fully restored garden from 1910. Family and friends are the main themes in each room. The Adele Room in the main villa is a minimalist tribute in 1910s wooden furniture to the original Fendi matriarch Adele.
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This is the Italian dream, especially if that dream means acute style insight and normcore chic. Each CasaCau ‘Interior’, as the apartments are called, consists of airy open spaces with modern furnishings and artwork, all of which disguise the palazzo’s baroque façade. The open-space format includes an eat-in kitchen and a bedroom/living room with king-size beds. In the morning, Italian pastries are delivered to your home along with a newspaper. CasaCau guests are also offered gastronomic experiences through the group’s two Michelin-starred restaurants.
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This is one of Rome’s most stylish boutique hotels: warm, soft, elegant and original. The design – based on a discreet, quietly opulent Dolce Vita retro look – is as impressive in the bedrooms as in the communal areas downstairs. The ground floor feels a bit like a stylish, contemporary gentlemen’s club – especially the chic little lounge/library – and the 23 double rooms and seven suites feature rosewood-lined dressing areas, marble bathrooms and rosewood four-poster beds. The service here is refreshingly informal, without being culpably informal. And the minibar is free.
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From the moment you step through the discreet door of this 20-room gem, you are greeted like visiting royalty. The rooms sometimes feel a bit Parisian with their autumn colours, although details such as reproductions of classical busts or the playful Palladian wallpaper in the Executive rooms ensure that you transport yourself to the Eternal City. The Colosseum Suite has a large, picturesque hot tub and a small private gym, but if you prefer something more discreet and opulent, opt for a Junior Suite. The cuisine matches the view in the rooftop Aroma restaurant, with its romantic view of the Colosseum, and the adjacent bar is a lovely spot for a sunset.
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The Martis Palace takes its name from the Roman god Mars. It was once a Renaissance palace and monastery, owned by the noble Massimo family. The building’s historic features have been carefully brought into the 21st century, with huge glass doors opening onto 600-year-old granite columns and holy water fountains. The rooms are huge, with a bold design; Bright floral throws and accent textiles look chic, as do the Rothko-esque two-tone wallpaper and curtains. There is a spa at Martis Palace’s sister hotel, which is available to guests staying here.
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Located in the epicenter of Roman glamour, this collection of 24 stylish serviced apartments spread across two nearby townhouses on one of the city’s smartest shopping streets, linking the Spanish Steps with Piazza del Popolo. It’s a great option for independent mid-budget travelers who want an excellent location and stylish design without paying high prices. In the annex building across the road from the main building at number 181 is the hotel’s lovely terrace bar on the top floor (outdoors in summer), serving a continental buffet breakfast in the morning and cocktails in the evening from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM are mixed.
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Not just for urban hipsters, this charming, full-service towhouse hotel has finally given the rural Monti district the stylish accommodation it was waiting for. You have to ring the bell to gain access to this tall, pale cream-colored mansion, which owners Sara Ferrajoli and Vincenzo Mirisola di Torresanto, with the help of architect Antonio Girardi, have transformed into an utterly charming urban retreat with a cool retro style. feeling – it seems as Paris or London as Rome. Grown-up color schemes, 1950s-style armchairs and vintage lighting fixtures set the tone of a cool insider address for independent travelers with their own network.
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Absolutely charming. That’s the overriding impression left by a stay in this cute, friendly three-star hotel, right next to the Forum in the trendy Monti district. The rooms are more five-star than three: black, white and houndstooth essentials are offset by colorful artwork and pillows, and art books are used as striking accents. Design flourishes such as furniture pieces by Dedar and Gervasoni, modern pendant lamps, top-shelf Italian mattresses and bedding, and Emperador marble bathrooms with custom natural bath products, give the rooms a luxurious feel.
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Hotel Monte Cenci is tucked away on a side street on the edge of Rome’s Jewish Quarter, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. Modern rooms meet scenic balconies overlooking romantic Rome, in an extraordinary meeting of comfort and charm. The service experience begins before check-in, with an invitation to select pillow types, request a wedding welcome, or even a yoga mat in your room. And the property is crowned with an enchanting rooftop bar, which transforms into a cozy winter garden in the colder months.
Contributions by Nicola Ferlei Brown, Erica Firpo, Lee Marshall, Maria Pasquale & Rebecca Winke