The 78-room, 5-star Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese lies on a quiet street adjacent to the Borghese Gardens, near the American Embassy and fashion boutiques along the chic Via Veneto. The hotel is a walkable distance to iconic landmarks, including Villa Medici, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. French architect and interior designer Jean-Philippe Nuel retained the classic bones of the former 19^th-century Roman palazzo when he created the hotel’s fresh new makeover, adding a contemporary-chic ambiance.

The newly refurbished, ground-floor public spaces have lively geometric carpets that repeat the colors and shapes of the original patterned marble floor. Settimo, the indoor and outdoor cocktail lounge and destination restaurant, offers a panoramic vista from the seventh-floor rooftop; its bold décor features geometric shapes and patterned textiles. Executive Chef Giuseppe D’Alessio serves contemporary Roman cuisine along with signature dishes integrating tradition.

© Images c/o Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese

Throughout the property, the designer incorporates the subtlety of nature’s palette to reflect the adjacent garden landscape. Each of the guestrooms features a Baroque-inspired ceiling, creating the illusion of a blue sky above the signature Sofitel MyBed. The marble bathroom is outfitted with Diptyque toiletries.

The hotel’s Prestige Suites, some with private terraces, offer luxury amenities including leather key card holders, monogrammed pillowcases, a choice of room fragrance and BOSE sound systems. Some rooms and suites view the 16^th-century Villa Aurora, with Caravaggio’s only ceiling painting and top floor rooms have terraces overlooking Villa Borghese. Suite guests enjoy a multitude of possibilities, from touring Europe’s oldest apothecary to vintage Vespa rides to well-known movie locations.

The ultra-exclusive, five-night Bellissima Fashion Experience (at $7,500 per couple, per suite) connects with Italian fashion influencer Selvaggia Capizzi, who curates a private wardrobe at classic boutiques, including Bottega Veneta and Fendi. Paolo Cazzaniga, son of founder Angelo Giorgio Cazzaniga, collaborates on a custom jewelry design, while celebrity stylist, Janita Helova does hair and makeup. (Suites for summer sell out quickly, so reservations are advised three months in advance.)

Many guests participate in personalized wellness and fitness therapies with the SofitelFITNESS Wellness Program in the hotel’s fitness center. The concierge can organize private transfers, exclusive walking or running tours (ArcheoRunning’s Hidden Rome Tour offers guided, early-morning runs through lesser-known historic neighborhoods) and food tours. (Lauren Caramico with Davvero Rome curates multiday food experiences, including markets, restaurants, wine tastings and chef-run classes or individualized street food or gelato tours). Plus, there are ample hands-on experiences in art galleries and museums, at Gladiator School, on horseback or stargazing.

General manager Edoardo Giuntoli described a stay this way: “What we’ve created is a chic fusion of the Italian La Dolce Vita heritage with modern French Art de Vivre.”

Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese

Via Lombardia 47
00187 Roma RM, Italy
tel 39 96 478021