There is no shortage of luxury hotels in Rome. The historic wonders of the centre draw visitors in their millions each year, as do the commercial opportunities associated with it being Italy’s capital.
In a city with as many iconic structures as this it would be easy for hotels to lean on the clichés; to adorn themselves with countless references to the ‘postcard’ version of town and completely skip over the everyday life there.
Plenty do just that, and find plenty of success, but the joy of travel should lie in the discovery of new things, new ways of life and new communities to compare ideas with, not just in a box-tick of all the attractions in the guidebook.
Hotel Casa Monti, a new luxury hotel in Rome’s oldest neighbourhood, aims to offer guests the best of both worlds: authentic local experiences paired with touristic highlights where desired. It succeeds.
Why stay here?
Nick Hendry
Nick Hendry
It feels strange to call the area of Monti ‘up-and-coming’ as it has existed for more than 2,000 years. That’s a lot of history, but the most pertinent fact is that for the last 20 of those 2,000 it has undergone a resurgence in popularity as more and more locals and visitors alike are drawn to its artist-quarter vibes.
The streets are filled with independent stores offering fashion, pottery, art, and books; restaurants are delightfully free of English menus and the ones we visited – at the recommendation of the hotel, keen as they are to immerse you in the neighbourhood instead of keeping as much of your spending money on-site as possible – were all packed with Italian-speaking local diners, not tourists.
Those who wish to see the traditional highlights will find the majority within a 10-minute walk, but returning to the local area feels like moving to a different town and offers a far more authentic glimpse of Rome itself.
The hotel is located in what was once a noble palazzo, with a cosy patio in the vestibule (now part of the restaurant) and a spa at the top floor boasting some pretty impressive views over the city skyline.
Rome is a city of many hills and her cobbled streets can be treacherous, so a massage followed by a dip in the gold marble jacuzzi may well be life-saving after a couple of days of exploration.
The rooftop bar is a local favourite already, just a few months after opening, and is a great place to mingle with stylish Romans before heading off into the night to see what other mischief the city can provide.
The entire interior of the hotel was created by Laura Gonzalez, the French designer currently the darling of the upscale hotel market. Bold, vivid prints line the walls; brightly-coloured and richly-textured tiles cover the floors; every inch of the property is devoted to a modern interpretation of classic Roman iconography. It’s fresh and beautiful and, above all, fun.
How’s the food?
The restaurant occupies most of the ground floor of the hotel – save for a modest lobby and chic bar – and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The breakfast buffet has all the classics of a European hotel (fresh pastries, assortment of cereals, etc.) and there’s a decent à la carte menu as well.
The real treats come later in the day, as a pretty substantial menu of Italian classics is served for afternoon and evening meals. The caprese salad was so light and fresh I had it more than once, and the Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe – the quintessential Roman dish, pasta with a simple pecorino cheese and black pepper sauce – is one of the best I’ve had anywhere.
If there is an evening on which you don’t quite have the energy to wander through the local streets to savour the atmosphere of Rome, aperitivo at the rooftop bar followed by a meal by the small fountain on the patio is a lovely way to sample the city in a less strenuous manner.
Worthy of mention as well is the sweet treat you’ll find on your pillow when you get back to your room: not the usual hotel chocolate, but a fruity CBD-and-melatonin-infused gummy – perfect for sending you off to a deep, restful sleep.
What are the rooms like?
The age of the building has meant that no two rooms are the same shape, which gives the whole place a sense of character and individuality. Gonzalez’s use of colour and busy prints brings energy and life to the whole space, and little touches like having some of the flatscreen televisions hidden behind curtains (auto-opening, naturally) help set the place apart from bigger chain properties. Space is pretty abundant, considering the central location, and the beds are exceptionally comfortable.
If you’re feeling flush and decide to spring for the signature Roman Suite you will benefit from an exceptional terrace with views across the skyline and a huge amount of living space in which to unwind after a long flight or exhausting day. There’s something to be said for relaxing under the Roman sky with your own fresh lime trees to shade you from the sun – a rare treat in the heart of the city.
As impressive as they are, the true value of travel to Rome lies beyond the famous historic monuments. Sure, they’re impressive, but this is also a city of life and art and culture and style – of so much more than some ancient buildings.
A stay at Casa Monti will help you to discover that, to get beyond the guidebook and into the lives of Romans – experiencing the city as it is today, not as it was more than 2,000 years ago. There’s so much more excitement in that.
Rooms from €450 at casamontiroma.com
