"If you dream of waking up to views of the Colosseum, look no further than Palazzo Manfredi. Most of the 28 guest rooms in this intimate five-star boutique hotel in Count Manfredi’s palazzo feature floor-to-ceiling glass windows—even in the showers—that face Ancient Rome’s most infamous arena. The ground-level Court cocktail bar looks into archaeological site ludus magnus, the gladiator training area, while serving the crafty concoctions of Matteo Zed, a Rome-born bartender known as one of the leading amaro experts in the world. The best sunset views of the ruins are available at the one Michelin-starred rooftop restaurant, Aroma, which serves a tasting menu featuring such dishes as handmade tagliolini and pumpkin. From $440" - Erica Firpo, Laura Itzkowitz