La Scelta di Goethe

"How did it strike you on arrival?With a simple, inconspicuous door on Rome’s main shopping street, Via del Corso, La Scelta di Goethe certainly has the art of privacy down pat. Daniel, the property manager, meets you on the street and whisks you upstairs to your apartment—and that’s where the magic truly begins. Nice. What’s the crowd like?Money’s no object for guests here, but they’re after privacy and luxury, rather than anything ostentatious. Think surgeons, barristers, stockbrokers. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.There are three suites to choose from: Goethe’s Home, the Trinità dei Monti Suite, and the Villa Medici Suite. The latter is 426-square-feet of pure, unadulterated luxury. First up, you’re greeted with Champagne on ice, and artisanal chocolates. Wander into the dining room and you’ll see a table set for up to 10 people, should you fancy throwing a dinner party. And of course you can, thanks to the 24-hour butler service just down the hall. Décor wise, there’s plenty of marble, gold, and polished wood—plus art, fresh flowers, and soft blankets dotted about the rooms. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?Everything is Frette, so it’s all gloriously comfortable. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?The 24-hour butler service is exceptional, no whim too extravagant, no midnight craving too difficult. Breakfast (warm pastries, fruit, yogurt, fresh juice, frothy cappuccinos) is served in the private dining room, and they can magic up any other meal you’d like, with matching wines and sensational desserts. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.There’s a hydro massage so good you won’t ever need step foot into a spa again, and the Turkish bath is wonderfully relaxing, too. The products are from luxury Florentine pharmacy Santa Maria Novella, and wrapped in packaging so beautiful you’ll want to take them home. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?Wi-Fi is free, of course, and there are iPads in every room that you can use. This is your home, after all. Staff: If you could award one a trophy, who gets it, and why?The butler and concierge team are marvelous, able to arrange anything from a city tour to a gym pass. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.The team here can cater to your every whim: they’ll bring you a handcrafted cot for your baby, or arrange a private driver to chauffeur you to your next destination. There are no pools or on-site bars—rather, this is about living like a star, with meals and drinks prepared for you, and spa, clubs, and restaurants privately booked for you. What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?The 24-hour butler service is second to none, and the staff go well beyond their roles to ensure a perfect stay." - Maresa Manara