"Already on the second day of your stay you are expected at the table with a hot cup of cappuccino and your preferred daily newspaper."

Awakening from Sleeping Beauty with Sir Rocco Forte: exclusive first insights from the editorial team into the newly opened luxury hotel of the Rocco Forte Group in Rome.

Rome, the eternal city, was already the scene of new inventions and superlatives in ancient times. So it is perhaps no coincidence that the Italian capital, of all places, is seeing so much happening in terms of new hotel openings. Small, luxurious boutique hotels are springing up out of nowhere, while elegant grand hotels are undergoing extensive renovations. So it's no surprise that one of the city's most legendary hotels, the Hotel de la Ville, has been welcoming style-conscious guests from all over the world since May last year, following several years of general renovation. Behind the lavish restoration of the famous hotel is none other than Sir Rocco Forte himself.

Like the other hotels in the group, the Hotel de la Ville was designed by Signor Forte's sister Olga Pizzola and is in tune with the times. Inspired by English private clubs, on the street level there is only the lobby with reception and the restaurant Da Sistina, which combines brasserie with trattoria in the most beautiful interior design. On the second level, without public view, there is the main restaurant Mosaico, the inner courtyard and the really successful bar "Julep". The comfortable sofas invite you to take a seat for a drink after dinner as well as for a cosy tea after breakfast. Every now and then, a few rays of sunlight fall through the high windows and make the yellow walls with stylish portraits look even more vibrant. While simple Roman dishes are reinterpreted in Da Sistina, Italian classics with an Arabic influence await you in Mosaico. The highlight of the restaurant is the focaccia straight from the oven, accompanied by hummus and beetroot. Don't miss the sea bass in a bread crust.

After a Mediterranean dinner, you reach your room or suite via the elegant corridors. Heavy red doors are reminiscent of the past Roman Empire. The rooms have bright entrances, cosy living rooms with fine textiles, parquet floors, comfortable beds with Italian linen and spacious bathrooms, most of which have a bathtub and separate shower. Also of interest are the toiletries, created by Sir Rocco Forte's daughter Irene, which come in different sizes and bring a touch of Mediterranean summer to the big city.

Wearing a cosy bathrobe from the Italian terrycloth manufacturer Pedersoli, you stroll comfortably into the new spa launched by Signora Forte. Past the 24-hour fitness center, you'll head to the posh changing and relaxation areas. The Irene Forte Spa features a heated hydrotherapy pool, an ice pool, a sauna, a brine room, steam showers, a steam room and a relaxation room with heated loungers. Thanks to the intimate atmosphere, the wellness area does not feel too cluttered and is absolutely ideal for a detour after a shopping trip or business meeting.

The well-known Rocco Forte service is also at its best in the Hotel de la Ville. For the fact that the house is not even open a year, I experienced a service from which comparable city hotels can learn a lot. Attention is capitalized here. On the second day of my stay, I was already expected at the table with a hot cup of cappuccino and my preferred daily newspaper. The fact that the Hotel de la Ville exactly meets the pulse of the time concerning the food is also shown at the breakfast: while a part of the offer is available at the buffet, all other dishes can be found in the lovingly arranged breakfast menu on order. So when you start your day, you have the choice between Eggs Benedict French toast with the freshest Italian wild berries and many other delicacies.

The hotel's location is also exceptional: guests enjoy some of the best views in the city, as the Hotel de la Ville is absolutely breathtaking at the top of the Spanish Steps. For me, there is no more romantic location in the eternal city. The Hotel de la Ville is the new place to stay in the Italian capital, which has a lot to offer off the beaten track thanks to cool shops and great museums. Double room from € 480 / night. roccofortehotels.com

Picture credits: Hotel Photography SRL