The Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese Is An Elegantly Restored 19th Century Palazzo

This 5-star boutique hotel with stunning rooftop views of Rome exudes luxe tranquility and sophisticated style.

Words like “sleek” and “modern” are not among the first to spring to mind when we think of Rome.

Known as “The Eternal City,” this where Julius Caesar is buried, just down the road from the stone arches of The Colosseum, the place where men and beasts met gruesome fates. It would be almost 2,000 years before the advent of the dimmer switch. The beautiful Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese, situated in a former 19th century palazzo, is perfectly aware of these competing impressions of Rome and provides a luxurious balance in response. A tale of two Romes, if you will.

The modern lobby, mirrored and marbled with shelves of products from the Milanese brand Aqua di Parma, gives way to six floors of immaculately lacquered doors. The amenities behind said doors are just what you would expect from any Sofitel (see: waffled bathrobes, just-right beds, massive showers with dual heads, plenty of storage space, and service at-the-ready, and a particularly elaborate in-room espresso station).

The hotel is easy to find after a long day of tourist attractions (it’s a short walking distance from the Trevi Fountain, the Villa Medici, the Spanish Steps and the Pantheon) and/or a late night of pasta and negronis.

Located on a quiet corner of an otherwise bustling neighborhood, one quickly learns to call the Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese home, even on a short trip. With a row of Vespas and motorbikes constantly parked outside, the hotel overlooks the Borghese gardens. The rooftop offers a panoramic view of the city including St. Peter’s Basilica.

Settimo, the hotel’s restaurant, is the ideal neighborhood spot to dine at sunset (if the balcony tables are booked, not to worry, the glass doors all slide open to welcome in a perfect breeze). Settimo offers an elegant-but-not-stuffy menu, serving Italian classics with contemporary flare as well as an extensive wine list. 

Though if you’d like to simply stay in your room with a glass of champagne and watch the sky glow over the Italian cypress trees in the distance (or curl up on the luxurious sheets and watch Roman Holiday on a flatscreen), the rooms themselves offer a perfect combination of old Rome charm and new Rome comfort: there are wooden shutters to cinematically fling open at will…with a very contemporary option of noise-canceling windows right behind them. 

The next time you’re in Rome, consider visiting Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese’s website to book at stay at this elegant hotel.