I adore holidays in Italy. Rome is utterly fabulous and has beautiful hotels and restaurants. It’s always on my hit list when I fancy a little break away. It’s a fabulous city to soak up jaw-dropping amazing architecture, eat lots of amazing food and do some serious retail therapy!
My Top 5 Hotels
I love this hotel – my favourite room is overlooking Bvlgari! The Inn at the Spanish Steps is a luxurious hotel central to Rome’s iconic Spanish Steps, surrounded by beautiful 18th century architecture. The perfect place to get a comfortable nights rest in between sightseeing – all of which are within walking distance of this hotel. Worried about the noise? Worry not, as somehow this beautiful central hotel manages to shield itself away from the bustle of Rome’s centre so you can get a good night’s sleep!
Featuring traditional décor, the Aldrovandi Villa. Featuring a colour private park of exotic plants, an outdoor heated pool, and garden fine-dining, this hotel is the utmost luxury. If you’re a guest here, you’re guaranteed a trip of utter relaxation! I’ve stayed there twice and eaten at its fabulous Baby Restaurant! Recommended!
This luxury hotel, also located in Rome’s city centre, is the height of service. With extremely friendly staff and flawless rooms, this is a great place for couples to stay whilst exploring Rome together for the first time!
Boasting svelte rooms and impeccable service, the Barocco Hotel offers multiple special offers to make your trip as smooth and enjoyable as possible. With 22 staff for the total of 41 rooms, you’re guaranteed an extremely personal visit when staying at the Barocco Hotel.
The Albergo del Senato, beautifully decorated and blissfully peaceful, is located within the thriving Roman culture. If you want to be at the centre of all the action, definitely considering Albergo del Senato.
My Top 5 Places to Visit in Rome
The Colosseum This is the top of our list because how could you visit beautiful Roma without at least standing outside Rome’s most famous landmark? Commissioned in 72 AD by Emperor Vespasian, this huge amphitheatre has seen more than its fair share of deadly Roman gladiator combat and wild animal fights for public viewing, we can promise the Colosseum is a lot less bloody and brutal today and definitely worth a visit, especially if it’s your first time in the beautiful city.
Trevi Fountain Arguably one of the most iconic sights to see in Rome, the Fontana di Trevi is the largest Baroque fountain in the city, and perhaps the most beautiful in the world. A trip to Rome wouldn’t be complete if you didn’t partake in the traditional legend of throwing a coin into the fountain – throw a coin from your right hand over your left shoulder and, legend has it, you will be guaranteed to return to Rome!
Spanish Steps Built in 1717, these iconic steps lead to the Trinità dei Monti church. There’s 135 steps (hats off to you if you climb all of them!), and surrounding the steps you can find high-fashion flagship stores like Gucci, Prada, Bvlgari, and Valentino – stunning cultural heritage and designer fashion, what more could you want?
The Pantheon The Pantheon, dedicated to the worship of every God (pan = every, theon = divinity), was built by Emperor Hadrian between 118 and 125 AD. Stunning architecture makes this one not to miss when in Rome – a 9 metre round aperture at the top of the dome illuminates the entire temple, and the columns at the front of the building will transport you back to ancient Rome.
The Vatican
You can’t visit Rome and not visit the Pope! It’s magical.
My Top 5 Restaurants in Rome
A fabulous array of traditional Italian classics, like spaghetti alle vongole, and in season they serve delicious tagliolini complete with white truffles and fresh funghi porcini. Fresh fish is also served, prepared in equally traditional ways by a master chef.
Roma Sparita has an air of old Rome, but still stands strong. A short but delicious menu, this restaurant is truly wonderful and traditional and definitely worth a visit when in Rome.
Babette, just a stone’s throw away from the Spanish Steps in the Piazza del Popolo, is an elegant restaurant with a traditional, homely feel. Babette is the place to go if you want to feel like you are eating in a genuine Italian home.
How can you visit Rome without visiting a genuine Italian Pizzeria? Dar Poeta, a beautiful pizzeria with wonderful service. Their pizza is cooked in a wood oven, and they also offer traditional main courses. Winner all round!
And, of course, no visit to Rome would be complete without tasting what the Italians are best at – ice cream. In the heart of old Rome, a short walk from Piazza Navona, lies Frigidarium, were old and new blends together to create a wonderful array of flavours. The only place to go in Rome for delicious Gelato!
Enjoy! xx
Pantheon is a temple or a hotel? Looking rather like the Taj Mahal in India
Hi Oliver – it’s The Vatican in Rome – the HQ of the Roman Church – magical building just like The Taj Mahal!
Wonderful advice. I hope you will keep it and add photos to better.
Many thanks – very kind of you! x
This is a fantastic list! Planning to go in May with my husband and we have been feeling quite overwhelmed with the process of deciding what to see/do. Your list is a huge help