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Italy’s capital city is a beauty definitely worth adding to your bucket list. And where to stay in such an iconic location? The Bulgari Hotel Roma is one of the newest additions to the Rome hotel landscape and definitely the chicest. Zendaya and Priyanka Chopra Jonas both flew in for the launch and stylish Roman residents are flocking to the boujee bar and destination restaurant since the hotel opened in June. We can see why.
Where is the best area to stay in Rome?
You’ll find Bulgari Hotel Rome in the Campo Marzio district in the city centre. Moments from the river Tiber, you can walk to all the major tourist attractions easily (although our visit coincided with the European heatwaves, so taxis were a cooler option.)
All the usual city centre shops and stores are short stroll from the hotel and Piazza Augusto Imperatore is a quiet street away from the main thoroughfares. If you’re shopping for something very special, you could pay a visit to Bulgari’s Via Condotti boutique, which opened in 1894, but we preferred to browse Carrefour Express on Via Della Croce (a 5 minute walk) to stock up on pasta and biscotti to take home as treats. Italian supermarkets just hit different.
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Like every sprawling urban conurbation, Rome has it’s less than pretty parts, but in the centre you can’t turn your head without being blessed with postcard-worthy views (and the opportunities for aesthetic #OOTD backgrounds are abundant.) The hotel overlooks The Mausoleum of Augustus - which was being renovated on our visit - so there is history on your doorstep. Piazza del Popolo is five minutes away too, with the bonus of walking past Gelateria die Gracchi en route and the chance to cool off with a scoop of gelato. The peach flavour was *chef’s kiss*.
What are the rooms like?
Echoing Bulgari’s signature style of fine jewellery full of coloured gems, each room or suite is a jewel-toned joy of rich ochre, burgundy, bottle green and chocolate. If you’ve ever visited any of the other other Bulgari hotels, their palettes are far more subdued and monochrome but the Rome venue’s decor is all your mid century modern dreams made technicolour - without going as far as being lairy, of course.
The eternal city is home to some of the most significant architecture and art in the western world so the design of the ninth property in Bulgari’s hotel portfolio reflects the city’s classical history too. There are marble columns in the main areas and Roman-inspired mosaics in the bathrooms…
Of the 114 rooms, our junior suite was bigger than most city centre flats with double aspect windows that looked out into the apartments opposite. (The neighbours all love their houseplants, it seems, but were very quiet.) There’s a vast walk in wardrobe with more than enough hangers and drawers for our carefully curated mini-break capsule wardrobes but the bathroom was where it got ridiculous… Acres of mustard-coloured marble surrounded a super-powered shower, bath almost deep enough to swim in (you have to pour in the jar of salts by the side for a blast of herbal-scented muscle-soothing heaven) and a separate loo and bidet, hidden behind a mirrored door.
When it was time for bed, the pillow menu was fun to peruse with aloe vera (to de-stress), buckwheat (temperature-regulating) and lavender options (calming), although the standard pillows were Golidlocks approved: not too soft, not too hard, just right. At turn down, we found a set of little cups and a flask of hot Mountain Berry tisane waiting for us on the coffee table. Your basic chocolate on the pillow could never.
The Bulgari Hotel Rome is obviously an extremely high end five-star luxury experience and the price tag demands service that is exemplary - but unlike some other identikit designer destinations, everyone in the hotel is genuinely charming and warm. Our suite came with two butlers, Giovanni and Clio, who set up a WhatsApp group so whenever we wanted to order room service, book tickets or arrange a spa trip, we could just DM them. Confession: I just wanted to hang out with them. While the acres of marble in the reception and cool modern minimalism of the hotel's design could feel imposing, the real smiles and truly friendly demeanour from all the staff make the hotel feel calm and relaxed so even if you’re not a Hollywood A Lister you still get the red carpet treatment.
What is the food like in Rome?
Every mouthful is a taste sensation (even our supermarket snacks were elite eats.) When in Rome, you have to have aperitivo - little platters of snacks to accompany drinkes before supper… Limoncello spritz seemed to have ousted Aperol as the #1 version and was a dream combo with fennel-flavoured salami, hunks of parmesan, crispy fried mini squid and croquettes.
When it’s time to dine, Michelin-starred chef Niko Romito creates an array of dishes that strike the perfect balance between fancy cuisine and comfort food at Il Ristorante on the hotel’s 5th floor. We ate on the terrace as the sky turned pink (and fought of mosquitos under the table.) Tuna belly with braised lettuce were served alongside that cosy classic of pasta pomodoro. Main plates were interspersed with amuse bouche - cold yet spicy tomato soup, the thinnest breadsticks we ever did see - before our meal’s finale of creme-filled citron-flavoured doughnut bombs, accompanied by a tangy lemon tisane.
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Romans dress up for dinner. Men tend to wear pale linen and neutral toned chinos (with loafers and no socks, obvs) while the women were all in heels and chic fitted dresses although I didn’t feel my fisherman’s sandals were out of place. The bar, Il Ristorante, and and the more casual Il Caffé on the ground floor draw a local crowd of couples, groups and chic business meetings. It’s always a good sign if you’re staying where the locals want to hang out. There’s a residents only lounge and top floor bar, which is decked out like a hip beach bar with day-beds draped with linen curtains and the newest attraction? A little chocolate shop on the ground floor - Bulgari Dolci - which had us drooling.
While dinner - and lunch - offered Italian-skewed classics, breakfast had all the international classics - eggs royale, avo on toast, smoked salmon and the prettiest fruit salad I ever saw - but there were local delicacies in the pastry basket to fulfil all your carb-loading dreams.
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What is the spa like?
4 floors of sybaritic self-care. I got lost on the stairs trying to find the entrance, even though I’d already been given a tour and was offered an escort from Giovanni. Once I found my way in, I was in a whole other world. There’s a plush gym and spa lounge along with treatment rooms that are stocked with Augustus Bader and Mauli products. I sunk in for the signature Bulgari facial which begins with a triple cleanse that slipped into an intense lifting facial massage and ice-cold gua sha sculpting session. My cheekbones were sharp and my skin had a serious glow. I dipped in and out of consciousness before peeling myself off the treatment table.
One tip, don’t get weirded out if you’ve booked a facial and get introduced to your ‘masseuse’. Therapists seem to be described as masseurs in Italy, even if they’re not doing a massage. As it was so hot on our visit, instead of wandering round the streets in 40 degree heat, a visit to the pool was a daily necessity. Lined with golden mosaics, surrounded by marble columns, framed by stained glass windows - oh and a waterfall - it’s where you’d imagine Roman emperors chilling, being fed grapes. Instead, I napped in a charcoal grey fluffy robe and stayed hydrated with still water from the fridge.
Fit for royalty, literally.
What should you do in Rome?
It was our first visit so we felt pressure to see the biggest tourist attractions. Some of them have been standing for 2000 years, so they're worth a look, surely? Everyone asked if we were going to tick off the Trevi fountain, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps... They are all iconic destinations but next time we'll forge our own itinerary and explore further. For Meatpacking district or Smithfield vibes head to Testaccio Market (a foodie dream), Pignati, an edgier district full of bars, vintage stores and street art, or pre-makeover Shoreditch equivalent, San Lorenzo.
If you do want a bit of culture, be warned that the queues at Vatican are block-busting. You can buy a fast track ticket to skip them, which was definitely worth it, although when you’re inside be prepared for more queues. Visitors snake around room after room of epic art and impressive sculpture but there’s a one way system which you can’t skip. We ended up in the Sistine Chapel after half an hour of go-slow (our step count that day was impressive) and there is no talking, no photos or video allowed and you’re kept on the move. Bare shoulders and midriffs are forbidden so bring a scarf to cover up if you’re planning a visit when you have skin on show.
Taxis weren’t abundant during our trip - you have to take one from a dedicated taxi stand which were mostly empty - or ask your hotel or a restaurant to call one for you, before you’re given a little white slip with your driver’s id. Uber only provides Uber Black in the city so be prepared to wait…
Outside the hotel, Antica Pesa is one of Rome’s must-visit restaurants with Anne Hathaway, Rachel Ziegler and Zendaya all previous diners. We were recommend Armando al Pantheon too but couldn’t get a table. Instead, take-out slices from Bona Pizza (Via di Tor Millina 34) eaten in the street were a gourmet delight (the caper and courgette flower flavour was a dream.) As with the best things in life it’s all about the high low mix. Elite hotel experience and sublime street food? That's what holiday dreams are made of. Rome was a joy.
Rooms at Bulgari Hotel Roma start from €1300 per night / Bulgari Hotel Roma, Piazza Augusto Imperatore 10, Rome / +39 0636080400 / roma@bulgarihotels.com
For more from Glamour UK Fashion Director at large Alex Fullerton, follow her on Instagram @alexandrafullerton
