Rome has long been celebrated for its art, history and culture. Until recently, however, truly contemporary luxury hospitality in the Eternal City was relatively scarce. Five-star hotels existed, but choices were often traditional and conservative rather than bold or innovative. That has been changing quickly. In 2025 a wave of new openings, major renovations and daring hospitality concepts is reshaping what it means to stay in Rome. Mayor Roberto Gualtieri reports that Rome’s hotel occupancy significantly outpaces the European average, and the city responded by investing over 450 million euros in hotels during 2024 to meet rising demand for exceptional guest experiences. Last month I attended the inaugural RISE Rome event, a dedicated gathering for the luxury hospitality sector, to learn about the latest developments and trends defining the city’s hotel scene.
RISE Rome was organized by the Convention Bureau Roma e Lazio and supported by the vision of Alessandro Onorato, Rome’s Councilor for Major Events, Sports, Tourism and Fashion.
Below are highlights of some of the city’s most notable luxury properties and the services that set them apart.
The St. Regis Rome
As one of Rome’s earliest luxury landmarks, the St. Regis opened in 1894 as the brand’s first European hotel and introduced modern comforts—electricity, hot water and more—to the city’s hotel scene. It became an immediate favorite of dignitaries and aristocrats. Today the property blends its historic grandeur with contemporary touches, including a seasonal capsule collection produced with Italian artisans. This rotating selection—ranging from fine jewelry to handcrafted slippers—adds a boutique shopping element to the stay while reinforcing the hotel’s connection to Italian craftsmanship and style.
© Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
Perched on Monte Mario, the city’s highest hill, Rome Cavalieri offers some of Rome’s most sought-after panoramic views. Opened in 1963 as Europe’s first Waldorf Astoria, the hotel combines resort-style amenities with the intimacy of a private art collection, housing more than 1,100 original artworks from Renaissance canvases to 18th-century tapestries. A phased renovation planned through 2026 will modernize guest rooms wing by wing to preserve uninterrupted stays while refreshing the property.
Rooms at Rome Cavalieri are similarly sized but offer variable vistas—the most prized overlook St. Peter’s Basilica and the Colosseum—while suites provide additional space and privacy. Culinary distinction is anchored by La Pergola, Rome’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurant, and wellness is centered on a sprawling 26,000-square-foot spa with ten treatment rooms, a Turkish bath, sauna and serene relaxation areas.
Orient Express La Minerva
Arriving in spring, Orient Express La Minerva marks the storied Orient Express brand’s first Roman hotel and its return to landmark hospitality. Located at Piazza della Minerva, steps from the Pantheon, the property inhabits Palazzo Fonseca, a 1620 building that has been thoughtfully restored and transformed into a refined luxury address.
The hotel offers 93 rooms and suites, including four signature suites with commanding views of the Pantheon. The interiors marry Art Deco influences with contemporary elegance. Dining highlights include Voliera, a rooftop restaurant and bar serving Mediterranean cuisine against sweeping city views, and La Minerva Bar beneath a historic skylight, a refined spot that nods to the Roman goddess of wisdom and craft.
Complementing the accommodations, the hotel features a spa inspired by Ottoman bathing traditions, versatile event spaces and a grand ballroom adorned with Murano chandeliers and sculptures by Rinaldo Rinaldi. La Minerva’s arrival represents the Orient Express’s renewed focus on premier, culturally resonant properties, with a sister hotel planned in Venice.
© Hotel Eden
Hotel Eden
Part of the Dorchester Collection, Hotel Eden has long represented refined hospitality in Rome. First opened in 1889 and extensively restored between 2015 and 2017, the property was reconfigured to offer 98 more spacious rooms and four signature suites. The redesign blends classic Roman charm with contemporary comforts, featuring Italian-designed furnishings, Rubelli fabrics and hand-blown Murano glass fixtures.
Responding to demand for immersive cultural stays, Hotel Eden launched the Collector’s Home installation in October 2024. In collaboration with MOD Creative Group and Roman galleries ADA and Matèria, the project transformed the Dolce Vita suite and the intimate lobby lounge, La Libreria, into rotating immersive art spaces that highlight contemporary artworks, design pieces and literature. On the rooftop, Michelin-recognized La Terrazza offers scenic fine dining and a standout breakfast experience that takes full advantage of the city views.
© Hotel De’ Ricci
Hotel De’ Ricci
Exclusivity defines Hotel De’ Ricci. This eight-room boutique feels more like a private Roman residence than a typical hotel, and the property can be fully reserved for a private buyout. Favored by wine lovers and cigar enthusiasts, it features an exceptional wine collection and a discreet Cuban cigar lounge tucked behind the bar.
Located in the historic Rione Regola, Hotel De’ Ricci sits amid an emerging luxury neighborhood of boutique shops, wine bars and tucked-away restaurants that deliver an authentic yet refined Roman experience. Its compact scale and curated atmosphere make it an ideal choice for a short, stylish stay when arriving in or departing from the city.
© Palazzo Ripetta
Palazzo Ripetta
Opened in December 2022, Palazzo Ripetta brought a family-owned Relais & Châteaux sensibility to central Rome. Operated by a third-generation Roman family, the hotel emphasizes personalized service and an intimate atmosphere that distinguishes it from larger corporate brands—one of the few independently owned five-star properties in the city.
The design combines classical Roman architecture with vibrant contemporary color palettes. The property’s room types are tailored to modern travelers, including family wings composed of four interconnected private accommodations and suites with in-room saunas that elevate privacy and wellness. These features make Palazzo Ripetta well suited for families and guests seeking a tailored, home-like experience.
Exclusive Access
Luxury travel in Rome extends beyond accommodation to the curated experiences that accompany a visit. Bespoke, insider access is now a core expectation of high-end travel, and a few specialist providers excel at delivering tailored, intimate encounters.
© Access Italy
Access Italy specializes in VIP tours and custom experiences that grant exclusive entry to the city’s highlights in a personal way. Offerings range from private, pre-dawn visits to the Vatican Museums to hands-on culinary lessons with chefs from Michelin-starred kitchens and vintage car tours through Rome at night. These experiences are designed for travelers who want to see the city from an insider perspective.
Founded by art historians, Imago Artis Travel focuses on Italy’s artistic heritage, curating experiences that highlight storytelling and emotional engagement. Working with an elite network that includes aristocratic families, museum curators and public figures, Imago Artis arranges access to private palaces, hidden artworks and invitation-only events—immersive encounters that deepen understanding of Italy’s cultural legacy.
Together, Rome’s refined hotels and specialized experience providers are redefining luxury travel in the city—combining historic allure with contemporary service, immersive culture, and truly bespoke moments that turn visits into lasting memories.