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With ancient ruins, splashing fountains, globally renowned art museums and charming cobblestone streets, Rome is an always popular destination. The city — and its mouthwatering pasta, pizza and gelato — beckons to both Europe first-timers and continental connoisseurs.

Whether as a stop on a longer trip through Italy or your home base on an extended visit, Rome is an ideal destination. It offers a wealth of things to do, a myriad of restaurants to enjoy and plenty of excellent hotels to hang your hat at.

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From opulent grande dames where you can live out your dolce vita fantasies to trendy new boutique hotels for a more contemporary experience, here are the 20 best hotels in Rome.

The unassuming facade on Via del Babuino, just off the bustling Piazza del Popolo, does little to reveal the chic oasis hidden within. Housed in a historic building designed by Giuseppe Valadier (the architect who also designed Piazza del Popolo), this hotel once hosted luminaries such as Pablo Picasso and ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky. It lived many lives — and even housed the offices of the Italian TV network Rai at one point — before it was reborn as a deluxe hotel under the Rocco Forte Hotels brand.

Inside, the design is tastefully modern. Geometric furnishings in Mediterranean colors and Roman history-inspired details, such as little marble statues and mosaic tiles in the bathrooms, adorn the rooms. Some rooms have views of the garden, while others look out onto Piazza del Popolo and the rooftops of Rome. Suites are dedicated to past guests, including Picasso.

The major draw is the “secret garden,” with the elegant Stravinskij Bar on the ground floor and Le Jardin de Russie above it. Both attract a “who’s who” of celebrities and beautiful people who flock there to sip spritzes and twirl strands of spaghetti al pomodoro. Don’t leave without tasting the signature dish, ravioli cacio e pepe.

At the De Russie Spa, guests can relax with a treatment incorporating natural products by Irene Forte, Sir Rocco Forte’s daughter.

Rates start at $1,300 per night.

This gorgeous relative newcomer shares the same DNA as its older sibling, the Hotel de Russie, but it also shows its own personality. When dreaming up this hotel situated on the prestigious Via Sistina in an 18th-century palazzo atop the Spanish Steps, Rocco Forte’s design director Olga Polizzi drew inspiration from the Grand Tour.

A peaceful courtyard welcomes guests to dine alfresco at Mosaico, and the Julep Herbal & Vermouth Bar is a cozy spot for cocktails when it’s too cold to stay outside. However, the real showstopper is Cielo, the hotel’s rooftop terrace. This is the place to savor an aperitivo under a shaded pergola while watching the sunset over the city’s domes and terra cotta roofs.

There’s also a lovely spa with five treatment rooms, a sauna, steam room, hydropool and plunge pool. Skincare products used in the spa treatments and in the rooms are by Irene Forte.

Rates start at $1,115 per night.

We like to think that renowned filmmaker Federico Fellini would approve of the improvements made to his former haunt, now part of the luxurious Dorchester Collection. (Some of the brand’s other properties include the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Plaza Athenee in Paris.) Originally opened in 1889, the Hotel Eden exudes Belle Epoque grandeur, with polished marble and gold-coffered ceilings in the lobby. Old World elegance reigns in the rooms, which have an ivory and gold color palette and some pops of color.

The top-floor restaurants feature a more modern design and demonstrate a forward-thinking approach to dining. The property’s more casual dining venue, Il Giardino Ristorante, serves classic Italian food and healthy options. On the other hand, the Michelin-starred La Terrazza is a culinary tour de force highlighting innovative techniques and exotic ingredients.

The cozy spa is the only place in Rome with facials by French brand Valmont. It also offers traditional massages, mani-pedis and more.

Rates start at $950 per night.

Opened in 1893, this family-run hotel is one of Rome’s most legendary. The overall vibe is classic luxury, but the hotel mixes traditional with contemporary decor. Guests expect white-glove service, and the Hassler delivers.

The 87 rooms and suites are updated on a rolling basis and each one has its own unique touches. For the best of the best, splurge on the massive penthouse suite, which has two king bedrooms, two terraces, a grand piano and cocktail bar in the living area — as well as private butler service.

The hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Imago, is popular for romantic dinners and special occasions. It serves creative Italian cuisine alongside panoramic views. For something more casual, there’s the Salone Eva and the Palm Court, which serve Roman dishes like spaghetti carbonara in addition to international staples like club sandwiches and Caesar salads.

The 7th Floor Terrace also serves light meals with fantastic views. A new spa and wine cellar are currently under construction.

Rates start at $1,385 per night.

If you think of W as a brand of party hotels, you might be pleasantly surprised by its first property in Italy. One of Rome’s most exciting new hotels, the W Rome keeps the fun, social ambience the brand is known for. However, it adds a level of sophistication thanks to a gorgeous design and collaborations with Italian creatives.

For example, the check-in desks, which resemble gladiator chariots, are housed in a room with a mural painted by local artist Costanza Alvarez de Castro. Just off it is a shop curated by the owners of Big Soup, a sneaker reseller for streetwear fanatics.

Superstar Sicilian chef Ciccio Sultano helms the ground-floor restaurant Giano, while the rooftop area serves cocktails and pizza by lauded pizzaiolo Pier Daniele Seu.

Because this is a W, there’s a resident DJ as well as special events ranging from music festivals to LGBTQ-focused programming. There’s a shallow pool on the rooftop (better for photo ops than swimming laps), and the gym is fully equipped with equipment and classes.

Rates start at $410 or 71,500 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Legendary hotelier César Ritz opened this luxurious hotel in 1894 (back when it was the Grand Hotel). Thanks to a meticulous renovation in 2018, it certainly upholds his legacy today.

As soon as you enter the St. Regis Rome through the porte-cochere, you’ll feel the grandeur of the marble lobby lounge with its wood-paneled walls and enormous chandelier.

Enjoy a meal or afternoon tea at Lumen Cocktails & Cuisine, where the art of sabrage to pop Champagne bottles is practiced according to St. Regis tradition. For the best seat, request a table in the intimate sky-blue library.

Tucked away down a hallway is the easy-to-miss outpost of Galleria Continua — an international contemporary art gallery with locations in Tuscany, Paris, Beijing and Dubai. It’s certainly worth discovering, as the gallery also curates the phenomenal art installations sprinkled throughout the hotel’s public spaces.

As you would expect, rooms and suites are suitably plush, with marble bathrooms and that signature St. Regis butler service.

Rates start at $1,090 or 88,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

It’s no wonder Wes Anderson likes to stay here when he visits the Eternal City — as soon as you walk through the door, you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. This discreetly luxurious independent hotel opened in 1925 and still feels like a portal to that era.

Notable design details include herringbone parquet floors, casually arranged antiques and a poster by Anselmo Ballester (who created film posters for major movies in the first half of the 20th century).

On-site Bar Locarno is a local favorite for cocktails surrounded by art deco splendor. When it’s warm, you can sit in the courtyard or on the terrace. Instead of a restaurant, the hotel has a menu of burgers, salads and other staples that you can order in any of the lounge spaces, whether you’re at the cozy bar or on the terrace.

The 44 rooms and suites maintain the opulent ambience with antiques, sumptuous textiles and bathrooms with either showers or clawfoot tubs. Some of the top suites have a Venetian air, with gilded carved moldings, leaded glass doors and terrazzo floors.

Rates start at $403 per night.

Tucked away down a narrow cobblestone lane a few blocks from the Spanish Steps, this boutique property is housed in a 16th-century building annexed to Palazzo Borghese.

Despite its historic pedigree, the hotel is anything but stuffy. The interiors are bold and contemporary, with elegant furnishings in vibrant colors and art by renowned Florentine photographer Massimo Listri on display.

Sitting in the lobby lounge feels almost like hanging out in the living room of a very chic friend’s house. The on-site restaurant, Adelaide, serves classic and creative Italian dishes in an elegant jewel box of a space. The staff is kind and attentive, making you feel right at home.

Rooms and suites have comfortable beds and botanical prints. Some have a private terrace overlooking the verdant courtyard of Palazzo Borghese.

Rates start at $832 per night.

The narrow streets surrounding the Trevi Fountain are usually crowded with foot traffic, but once you step inside this boutique hotel, you’ll breathe a sigh of relief. The historic palazzo was home to opera composer Gaetano Donizetti and has been restored to its former glory.

The on-site restaurant, Don Pasquale, is a showstopper inspired by colonial English clubs. It has a greenhouse-style glass ceiling from which a giant chandelier dangles. There are also snug banquettes and cheeky art inspired by Dutch master paintings with a modern twist. The elegantly plated Roman dishes are just as alluring as the setting in which they’re served.

Upstairs, 30 rooms and suites feature patterned headboards and curtains, bold color schemes and lavish marble bathrooms. This tranquil retreat is the perfect place to retire after exploring Rome’s busy Centro Storico.

Rates start at $586.

The third Roman hotel in the Shedir Collection (Hotel Vilon and Maalot Roma are also members), this discreet bolthole focuses on art and midcentury modern design.

A participant of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the hotel has a glamorous design with furniture inspired by architect Gio Ponti, eye-catching jungle wallpaper and an impressive collection of original art.

Just off the main entrance is the Dandy Cafe, the hotel’s all-day restaurant. The space is bright and airy, with a soaring double-height glass ceiling that lets in plenty of light. The hotel is also home to El Porteno Gourmet, an upscale Argentinian restaurant with locations in Milan and Rome. A rooftop terrace serving cocktails and Argentinian bites is opening in March 2023.

Rooms and suites are spacious and elegant, with parquet floors, elegant marble bathrooms and complimentary minibars. The larger suites have kitchenettes with induction stovetops, microwaves and sinks.

Rates start at $626 per night.

British micro-hotel brand Hoxton brought its design-savvy style to Rome with this property in the upscale residential neighborhood of Parioli.

For travelers who want to be in the center of the action, this might not be the ideal spot. However, for repeat visitors, it offers a different perspective on the city.

As to be expected at a Hoxton, the public spaces are well thought out. The vintage sofas, cozy seating nooks in the lobby lounge and communal table for coworking encourage locals and visitors to linger. The all-day restaurant Cugino serves salads and light bites, while the main restaurant Elio is helmed by rising star chef Sarah Cicolini of cult favorite trattoria SantoPalato.

Rooms are petite but well designed, with statement headboards, hot water kettles, flat-screen TVs and Roberts radios.

Rates start at $189 per night.

French brand Mama Shelter’s first Italian hotel has a whimsical design scheme seemingly made for Instagram. However, the hotel serves up more than just good looks.

For a budget lodging option, there’s an impressive array of dining options and amenities. It’s also in a calmer, off-the-beaten-path part of the Prati neighborhood and a bit removed from the city’s main sights. The Cipro metro stop is within easy reach, though.

The fun starts in the lobby, where glass shelves display branded merchandise and sex toys for sale. The pizzeria has street art-style ceiling murals depicting ancient Roman figures, as well as a vintage pinball machine and arcade games.

The Giardino d’Inverno serves an extensive menu of Italian fare in a riotously colorful space featuring greenery and vivid lights hanging from the ceiling. When the weather is warm, the place to be is on the rooftop terrace, where cocktails and light bites are served with views of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Rooms and suites have playful touches like animal or superhero masks and kitschy fabrics, as well as free movies (including adult movies). The overall vibe is sex-positive and LGBTQ-friendly, but kids and pets are welcome, too. There’s even a colorfully tiled indoor pool and spa with a steam room, a sauna and a gym.

Rates start at $148 per night.

Perched high up on Monte Mario, one of Rome’s tallest hills, this iconic property feels a world apart from the city’s hustle and bustle and is ideal for a family trip to Rome.

Spread across 15 acres of manicured parkland, with 370 rooms, four pools and one of the city’s largest spas, the Rome Cavalieri feels more like an urban resort than a typical Roman hotel. It opened in 1963, and the architecture is midcentury marvelous. However, the interior design skews traditional, with ornate woodwork and heavy draperies, as well as a triptych by 18th-century painter Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.

The hotel’s main claim to fame is La Pergola, Rome’s only restaurant with three Michelin stars. It also boasts one of the largest spas in the city, complete with Roman baths and even tennis courts.

If you’re traveling with little ones in tow, you’re in luck, as there’s a kids club in the summer with activities like gladiator training and pizza making. Pets are welcome, too, should you wish to bring your four-legged friend.

Rates start at $350 or 80,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

A member of Design Hotels, this hip hotel draws a cool international crowd, most of whom come for the margaritas and Mexican food at the rooftop bar, Hey Guey. Many also stay to enjoy the sultry vibes and avant-garde cuisine at the Campocori restaurant. If that’s not enough, Hey Baby Bar serves creative cocktails and has a communal table for coworking.

The hotel’s design is industrial-chic, with lots of metal furniture, lighting by Tom Dixon and artwork by street artists like Alice Pasquini and Warios 1.

Rooms and suites have exposed brick walls, wooden floors, comfortable beds with statement headboards, sleek furniture, smart TVs and Marshall Bluetooth speakers.

Rates start at $171 per night.

If you dream of waking up to awe-inspiring views of the Colosseum, look no further. This hotel, owned by Count Goffredo Manfredi, is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and has an unparalleled panorama of the monument. In fact, rooms in the hotel’s more modern wing have floor-to-ceiling windows and even glass-walled bathrooms so you can gaze upon the ancient amphitheater while you shower.

That’s not the only reason to stay here, though. The hotel also boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant and one of the best cocktail bars in Rome.

Book a table at The Court Mixology Bar in advance so you can sip innovative cocktails by acclaimed barman Matteo “Zed” Zamberlan, who worked at some of New York City’s top bars. While there, you can also enjoy gourmet bites from the kitchen as you watch the sunset.

Rates start at $444.

Situated on Gianicolo, one of the highest hills in Rome, this Leading Hotels of the World property is slightly removed from the city’s buzz. Still, you can stroll down the hill and be at the Vatican’s doorstep in less than 15 minutes.

The hotel’s privileged location gives it several advantages: views, space and silence. Not to mention, it’s one of just a handful of hotels in central Rome with a pool — a major draw in summer.

A new pool bar lets guests order drinks and food that they can enjoy from the comfort of their sunbeds. Also, the Gala restaurant serves a full menu at tables overlooking the pool.

When the pool and Gala close in winter, guests can dine at Amaro, the hotel’s cocktail bar and bistro, or at Follie, a restaurant helmed by chef Luciano Monosilio (known as the king of carbonara).

Because the hotel is in a historic building constructed over the ruins of the villa of Agrippina — the Roman emperor Nero’s mother — there are many different accommodation categories. Some have gorgeous views of the city and St. Peter’s Basilica, while others have terraces or private gardens. The Agrippina Pool Villa has a large outdoor space with a private pool and sauna.

Regardless of which space you choose, you’ll find sleek modern furniture and reproductions of Renaissance paintings above the bed. The hotel guarantees adjoining rooms to guests who request them when they book, so if you’re traveling with kids, you can rest easy knowing you’ll have connecting accommodations when you arrive.

Rates start at $391 or 6,500 Leaders Club points per night.

Hidden away on a narrow cobblestone street just off charming Via di Monserrato, this eight-room hotel is heaven for oenophiles.

As soon as you walk into the intimate lobby, you feel enveloped by good taste thanks to the velvet armchairs arranged around a coffee table and the glass cabinets showcasing rare wines. The hotel also displays local artwork by Andrea Ferolla, who, along with his wife, runs the concept shop Chez Dede just up the street.

Ferolla’s illustrations are scattered throughout the hotel, both in the rooms and in the Charade Bar, which serves a complimentary aperitivo for hotel guests. Choose from the extensive wine list, or enjoy a classic cocktail served with a meat and cheese board.

There’s no restaurant in the hotel, but the owner is none other than Lorenzo Lisi, who runs Pierluigi, one of Rome’s best seafood restaurants. It happens to sit just up the street, and the hotel’s staff will be happy to book you a table there.

Rooms and suites are cozy, with comfortable beds and hidden TVs that descend from the ceiling. The standout feature, though, is the wine fridge in each room, which the staff can fill according to your taste.

Rates start at $388 per night.

Hong Kong-based brand The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts does modern urban luxury to a T. In Rome, the brand runs a trio of hotels, each with its own unique character.

The First Roma Arte, just off Piazza del Popolo, was Rome’s first art hotel, featuring works curated by Galleria Mucciaccia. The First Roma Dolce sits a few blocks away on bustling Via del Corso, and it offers a sweet respite with an elegant pasticceria. The First Roma Musica, across the river in Prati, is the newest hotel and sets itself apart with DJs and live music events.

All three hotels have luxurious rooms with a sleek contemporary design, high-tech amenities and marble bathrooms.

Service is professional and discreet. A house car shuttles guests among the three hotels, so visitors staying at the First Dolce or the First Musica can have dinner at Acquolina, the two Michelin-starred restaurant at the First Arte.

Rates start at $500 per night at all three hotels.

Soho House members and travelers who want to dip a toe into the world of Soho House’s exclusive clubs finally have a place to stay in Rome — and it’s fabulous. In the artsy San Lorenzo neighborhood, populated by students and artists from the Sapienza University of Rome, the hotel is nothing but cool.

The club restaurant on the ninth floor serves Soho House classics and traditional Italian dishes, as well as bottomless brunch on the weekends. However, the place to be is Cecconi’s Terrazza on the rooftop. A rooftop pool creates an urban oasis for members and hotel guests in summer.

Patrons can also benefit from the Soho Health Club, which has a fully equipped gym, fitness classes, personal training and spa treatments. There’s even a screening room for creatives in town on their latest junket.

Rooms and suites have terrazzo floors and stylish midcentury-inspired furniture, with most also featuring balconies. There are 20 long-stay apartments that come with dining and lounge areas, fully equipped kitchens and up to three bedrooms, too, should you need some extra elbow room.

Rates start at $170 per night for Soho House members or $224 per night for nonmembers.

A favorite of the fashion crowd and other sophisticates, this luxurious boutique hotel was designed to feel like a private residence.

Housed in the former architecture school of the Sapienza University of Rome, this member of the Leading Hotels of the World exudes understated refinement with a dolce vita retro vibe that mixes vintage and contemporary touches.

There’s no gym or spa, but guests will find plenty of comfortable places to sit and sip a negroni or an espresso. The JKCafe is open all day, so you can settle into one of the forest green velvet banquettes under a Sputnik chandelier for Italian and international fare from morning to night.

Rooms and suites are cosseting, with soft linens and monogrammed pillows, polished mahogany furniture and photographs by Massimo Listri. The bathrooms are done up in Carrara marble and offer spacious walk-in showers.

Rates start at $746 per night.

One of the buzziest new hotels to open in the Eternal City, Six Senses Rome is also the first urban hotel for this brand, which is known for wellness-focused resorts in Asia. It definitely adds something new to the city’s hotel scene, with its earthy contemporary design by renowned designer Patricia Urquiola and its holistic spa, where treatments go far beyond standard massages to include sound bath meditations, biohacking sessions and a Roman bath circuit.

In the warmer months, the rooftop bar Notos is a leafy green oasis overlooking the bustling Via del Corso. The all-day restaurant Bivium on the ground floor serves fresh pasta, pizza made using ancient grains, meat and fish cooked on the Josper grill. Half of the menu is plant-based and as much as possible is sourced locally.

The rooms and suites are modern, verging on minimalist, with straight-lined furnishings and travertine marble bathrooms. Some suites have deep soaking tubs or a terrace. The hotel’s Guest Experience Makers are available 24/7 to recommend restaurants, activities and anything else needed to make your stay memorable.

Rates start at $1,349 per night.

Jewelry and hospitality brand Bulgari made a splash when it opened this showstopping hotel in a 1930s Rationalist building a few blocks from the Spanish Steps in 2023. Though the brand’s first hotel was in Milan, this one represents a homecoming for Bulgari, which was born in Rome. No expense was spared regarding the design, which features exotic marble, polished wood and even an ancient statue of Augustus Caesar from the Torlonia Marbles collection, whose restoration Bulgari financed.

The 114 rooms and suites feature neutral palettes with colored marble in the bathrooms, some of which have intricate mosaics depicting jewels. The massive Bulgari Suite is the ultimate luxury pad with custom-made wall coverings by Rubelli, as well as a private kitchen, bar counter and dining room with plates designed in the 1930s by legendary Italian architect Gio Ponti.

Niko Romito, known for helming Michelin-starred Reale, oversees all of the hotel’s dining and drinking outlets, which range from his signature restaurant to the rooftop bar La Terrazza, which boasts fantastic views of the Mausoleum of Augustus and central Rome. There’s even a patisserie where chocolates are displayed like jewels in glass cases.

The Bulgari is also the only hotel in the center of Rome with an indoor pool. Its design was modeled on the ancient Baths of Caracalla.

Rates start at $1,535 per night.

Ian Schrager’s trendsetting Edition brand has landed in the Eternal City, and it’s drawing hip locals and travelers keen to soak up the vibes. Housed in a 1940s Rationalist building that was once the offices for the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro, The Rome Edition is located on a quiet street just a few blocks from Piazza Barberini and the famed Via Veneto. The entrance evokes a garden with verdant plant walls, while the lobby makes a grand impression with its soaring ceilings.

Rooms and suites are enveloped in wood paneling and done up in a sleek, minimalist style, with luxe touches like fur throws, Nespresso machines and Le Labo amenities in the bathrooms.

As one would expect at an Edition hotel, the food and beverage offerings are top-notch and varied. Local chef Paola Colucci, who’s behind the cult favorite restaurant Pianostrada, heads up the signature restaurant Anima. Plus, there are not one but three bars: the speak-easy-inspired Punch Room, the intimate Jade Bar and The Roof, which serves poolside cocktails and light bites.

Rates start at $550 or 82,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Just down the street from the American Embassy, this hotel (reviewed by TPG in 2023) was originally built in 1900 as a residence for visiting ambassadors. After a turn as a library for the American Embassy, it became a family-owned hotel and was taken over by IHG in 2018. In renovating it, the brand aimed to bring back some of the glory of Via Veneto, which was famous in the 1960s for “la dolce vita.”

Fittingly, it tapped New York-based LDV Hospitality (LDV stands for la dolce vita), which brought an outpost of its beloved restaurant Scarpetta, as well as a rooftop bar called Charlie’s. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows make the bar one of the only rooftop bars in Rome that can stay open year-round. There’s also a ground-floor bar called Anita’s in homage to Anita Ekberg, the star of the 1960 film “La Dolce Vita.”

After indulging at Charlie’s and Scarpetta NYC, guests can retreat to the serene guest rooms, which have neutral white walls, comfortable beds and bathrooms outfitted with Byredo bath products.

Rates start at $439 or 77,000 points per night.

Thai brand Anantara recently took over the historic Palazzo Naiadi Hotel, which occupies one of the curved neoclassical landmarks right on Piazza della Repubblica on top of the ancient Baths of Diocletian. The public spaces — including the beautiful lobby lounge, fine dining restaurant and rooftop restaurant — have been completely revamped and gleam like new with sleek modern furnishings.

Now under the direction of Roman chef Heros De Agostinis, the gourmet restaurant Ineo has received many accolades for its inventive tasting menus that draw inspiration from the chef’s multicultural heritage (his family comes from Abruzzo and Eritrea), childhood memories and experience abroad. The rooftop is now home to Seen by Olivier, an Asian and Mediterranean fusion concept by celebrity chef Olivier da Costa.

The 238 rooms and suites have received a soft refresh but have kept the more traditional style that the hotel was known for in its previous incarnations. Rumor has it Sophia Loren stays in the presidential suite when she’s in Rome. Expect traditional decor replete with antiques and brass accents. Be sure to request a room with a view of Piazza della Repubblica and the monumental Fountain of the Naiads.

The spa has also been completely renovated and offers Asian and European treatments in line with what guests of Anantara’s other hotels would expect to find. The signature treatment here, though, is the Diocletian Ritual, which includes a scrub made with local ingredients like olive oil, sage and lavender.

Rates start at $595 per night.