W Rome

"Why book? Style mavens and scene seekers will appreciate this stylish, spirited hotel’s cool décor and attitude Set the scene The opening of the W has been the talk of the town since the Marriott first dropped hints it would be bringing its upscale, risk-taking brand to the Eternal City. The pandemic caused a few delays, but now she’s here—drawing a well-traveled, design-savvy crowd who know when they’re onto a good thing: in this case, a lounge room instead of a lobby; and welcome desk pods instead of a check-in, plus a secret garden with tropical foliage where you can have a drink while you wait for your room to be ready. The backstory The W hotel brand has always combined elegance and youthful energy, and W Rome keeps that same spirit, set across two 19th-century palazzos along Via Liguria, next to the Spanish steps. The design team (New York’s Meyer Davis Studio) has crafted the lobby and lounge area with panache, daring to take a traditional setting and adding colorful leather furniture against thick stone walls, plus plenty of reflective surfaces that add a reflective glow to the room. There are head-turning sculptures and wall-encompassing art, juxtaposed by black and grey marble flooring. They’ve kept elements of surprise throughout, like the hidden door in the bathroom that leads to the hotel’s secret garden, with a kissing bench, bird baths, and water fountains. The rooms The 147 rooms (and 15 suites) are generous in size, giving the feeling of being in your own apartment rather than a hotel. Most have balconies and terraces, but guests are here for the W’s flair of mixing colors and prints: like the red velvet curtains that contrast with the herringbone floors and the pale blue walls. Bed frames are the W’s signature ochre, and there are big graphic prints in bold shades of orange, red, and green. The bathrooms were our favorite feature: marble clad with rain showers and snazzy fuchsia accessories. Rates from $800 per night. Food and drink The W’s restaurant scene lasts well into the early hours – even breakfast (fresh pastries, cakes, and chocolates) feels like a party. On-site restaurant Giano – run by superstar chef Ciccio Sultano – offers a contemporary take on Sicilian dishes, but in our opinion the aperitivo (from 6pm) is even better, with Sicilian street food specialties matched to local cocktails (The live DJ soundtrack and t-shirt clad staff reflect the clientele). When the weather warms up, Roman pizzaiolo Pier Daniele Seu spins out top-notch pies at the hotel’s seasonal rooftop pizzeria, Seu Pizza con Vista. The spa There’s no spa per se, but the fitness center—Wellness at W Rome—is run by Italian athlete Pietro Boselli and offers everything from boxing to yoga and personalized running routes around the city. The neighborhood/area This Roman landmark is a few steps from Piazza di Spagna, a two-minute walk to the people watching and boutique shopping area of Via Condotti, and a 15-minute walk to the Trevi fountain. The service The slicked hair, t-shirt wearing, tattooed staff are a tad too cool for school; but once you get their attention, they’re always keen to help." - Maresa Manara