Rome, the eternal city, has been the scene of new inventions and superlatives since 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 (hello Bulgari and Rosewood). Small, luxurious boutique hotels are sprouting up out of nowhere, while elegant grand hotels undergo 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 2019, following several years of general renovation. Behind the lavish restoration of the famous hotel is none other than Sir Rocco Forte himself.

Like the group's other hotels, the Hotel de la Ville was furnished by Signor Forte's sister Olga Pizzola and is right on the times' pulse. Inspired by English private clubs, there is only the lobby with reception and the restaurant Da Sistina, which combines brasserie with trattoria in the most beautiful interior design on street level. On the second level, you can find the main restaurant Mosaico, the courtyard, and the really amazingly designed bar "Julep" to enjoy drinks without being seen from the public folk. The comfortable sofas invite you to sit down for a drink after dinner as well as for a cosy tea after breakfast. A few rays of sunlight fall through the high windows every now and then, making the yellow walls with stylish portraits look even more vibrant. While simple Roman dishes are reinterpreted at Da Sistina, Italian classics with an Arabic influence await you at Mosaico. The highlight of the restaurant is the focaccia straight from the oven, accompanied by hummus and beet. The sea bass in a bread crust is also a must.

After a Mediterranean dinner, you reach your room or suite via the elegant corridors. Heavy red doors are reminiscent of the past Roman Empire. Rooms feature bright entrances, cosy living rooms with fine textiles, parquet floors, comfortable beds with Italian linen bedding, and spacious bathrooms, most of which have bathtubs and separate showers. Also of interest are the toiletries, created by Sir Rocco Forte's daughter Irene, which come in various scents and bring a touch of Mediterranean summer to the big city. To be honest, I prefer branded toiletries over hotel's own ones, so in Rocco Forte's case, I would have stayed loyal to REN skincare since the other Rocco Forte properties left a specific scent memory in my mind.

I have stayed in a beautiful Deluxe room that boasted an entree with the wardrobe, an open-plan living-/bedroom with double bed, sofa and two armchairs as well as the bright bathroom. I found the room to be very elegant and comfortable but was kind of surprised not to find a separated toilet from the rest of the bathroom. Though I appreciated the walk-in shower which feels magnificent after a day of travelling and then rushing through the city. A special mentioning is allocated to the heavenly bed and despite the busy location facing Via Sistina, I had an excellent rest. The welcome amenities consisting of a handwritten note, nuts, jam and a bottle of sparkling wine were indeed overwhelming and I would also like to highlight the housekeeping team which did a great job throughout the stay. Overall, the room really felt like a home away from home.

The well-known Rocco Forte service is also at its best at the Hotel de la Ville. For a hotel that has been open for less than a year, I experienced a service level that comparable city hotels can learn a lot from. Attention is written in capital letters here. On the second day of my stay, I went down for breakfast and was already awaited with a cappuccino and my preferred daily newspaper. The fact that the Hotel de la Ville has its finger on the pulse when it comes to food is also evident at breakfast. While some of the offerings are available at the buffet, all other dishes can be ordered on the lovingly designed breakfast menu. So when you start your day, you can choose between Eggs Benedict French toast with the freshest Italian wild berries and many other delicacies.

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

The hotel's location is also exceptional: guests enjoy some of the city's best views, as the Hotel de la Ville stands absolutely breathtaking at the top level of the Spanish Steps. For me, there is no more romantic location in the eternal city. Hotel de la Ville is the new place-to-stay in the Italian capital, which has plenty to offer away from the tourist spots thanks to cool stores and great museums.

The best thing about my trip to Rome was that I realized how the city changed in the last few years. When I first came here with my parents, Rome was just a cultural and historical place to see without fancy hotels or restaurant or any fun things to do. Today, it evolved into a secret shopping paradise, stylish dining venues and even chicer luxury hotels. So this goes out to all the ones that think they have seen and done Rome: A second visit will feel make you feel like this Rome is a completely different city!

I was guest of the Rocco Forte Hotel de la Ville Rome shortly after the opening in fall 2019. The article was written and the pictures taken before the outbreak of Coronavirus. All above written expresses my own opinion and hasn’t been influenced.