Palazzo Ripetta

"Why book One of the few remaining independent five stars in Rome, Palazzo Ripetta embodies the kind of edgy elegance Italian design is famous for. There are 78 rooms and suites carved out of a former convent, bolstered by a recent renovation by Italian architect and interior designer Fausta Gaetani, who cleverly contrasts the ancient 17th century digs with wild wallpapers, bold color schemes and gilded sculptures. Located on Via di Ripetta in the historic center, the hotel is a stone’s throw from cultural sites like the Ara Pacis, Trevi Fountain and Pantheon. Set the scene There’s no shortage of pattern and color here. From the moment you enter the lobby, it’s a big visual treat, with meticulously restored artifacts, like the Arnaldo Pomodoro—just one of a few in the world—and a contemporary art collection (the owner’s own) featuring an original Warhol. The backstory This is one of the most important buildings in Rome; a 17th-century complex that has gone from convent to art deco design icon, thanks, in part, to leading Italian architect Luigi Moretti, who worked on the building in the 1960s. The rooms The 78 rooms and suites are exquisitely decorated: there are big Murano glass chandeliers dangling from high ceilings; colorful bed headboards, and Frette linens so soft that you’d be forgiven for staying under the covers all day. They range in size from the compact – but cleverly designed – deluxe rooms to the slightly larger prestige rooms, and then onto the spacious family room, which is essentially two connecting rooms with enough room for 4 adults. Those wanting a more specialized stay can upgrade to the suites, some of which have their own spa or Turkish baths. Couples with young children can choose the luxury apartment, which runs across two floors and has its own kitchenette, or for the ultimate blowout, book into the Suite Ripetta, which combines two suites to create a three-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment, complete with a dining table, kitchen area, and walk-in wardrobes in the rooms. Across all rooms and suites, amenities are appropriately luxurious, with Ortigia products in the bathrooms and Alessi kettles and Nespresso machines in every room. Food and drink Courtyard eatery Piazzetta Ripetta does some excellent casual dining (grilled seafood, Roman meatballs and antipasto platters), or for something more formal head to San Baylon Restaurant, where chef Marco Ciccotelli serves a consistently good selection of Abbruzzese-Roman dishes for lunch and dinner. They also do a happy hour every evening - cocktails run the gamut from classic aperitifs (negroni, spritzes) to the more creative (try the ‘Shakerato Perfetto’, with Campari, Doragrossa mint, rhubarb liqueur and bergamot bitters), all served with Venetian-style tapas snacks. The neighborhood/area The location makes Palazzo Ripetta a near perfect urban respite—smack bang in the heart of Rome’s historic center, easily walkable to the main sites but also close to public transportation (Flaminia and Spagna, depending on your destination) and some of the city’s best eateries. Eco effort Palazzo Ripetta is upfront with its commitment to sustainability and minimizing its carbon footprint. And it’s not just lip service—the property holds a Green Key certificate for meeting rigorous sustainability standards." - Maresa Manara