W Rome
Hotel · Ludovisi
Via Liguria, 26/36, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Highlights
Rooftop pool, Sicilian restaurant, chic rooms & bars
Rooftop pool, Sicilian restaurant, chic rooms & bars
"Set in Ludovisi, I found the W’s transformation of two 19th-century palazzi into lively, pastel-filled spaces to be exuberant yet modern, with an alfresco courtyard of greenery and fountains. Rooms have gorgeous herringbone floors and powder-blue walls paired with pink and navy furnishings; it remains a place to see and be seen while offering surprisingly refined daylight spaces." - Maresa Manara
"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
"Prepare for a W like you’ve never seen before, located in the heart of Ludovisi—a posh, quiet neighborhood abutting the Villa Borghese and just an arancino’s throw to the Spanish Steps. The brand’s first outpost in Italy captures the exuberant, energetic vibe that W is known for but ditches the dark models-and-bottles aesthetic, opting instead for spaces that look as good by day as they did the night before..." - CNT Editors
"Prepare for a W like you’ve never seen before, located in the heart of Ludovisi—a posh, quiet neighborhood abutting the Villa Borghese and just an arancino’s throw to the Spanish Steps." - CNT Editors
"Housed across two adjacent 19th-century palazzos and redesigned by Meyer Davis, this iteration of the W brand trades the old party aesthetic for intimate, high-design interiors across 162 guestrooms—featuring colorful leather furnishings, patterned half-moon couches, and tasteful gold trim. Major sights like the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain are about a 10-minute walk away, and on-site offerings include an open-air courtyard, a secluded “magic” garden, and Giano Restaurant by chef Ciccio Sultano serving Sicilian-Roman fusion dishes such as paccheri with aubergine, tomatoes, and ricotta." - Paul Rubio
