Look around you as you enter Bulgari Roma, and you’ll spot a once-sumptuous tomb of the Emperor Augustus, the founder of the Roman Empire. It’s the perfect introduction to this hotel – although its history is significantly more recent. In fact, the newest hotel in the Bulgari group has been open for just over two years and occupies an enormous 1930s rationalist building. Impossibly elegant interiors were designed by top Italian architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel. Oh, and the entire place smells fabulous – one of Bulgari’s signature moves.
Located in the quiet-but-luxurious Campo Marzio neighbourhood (which is particularly well-known for its big-brand shopping – the brand’s Via Condotti store is nearby), you’re in a prime spot for sightseeing, close to the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. Luxury is at its core (this is a Bulgari hotel, after all), but at its new-ish location in the Eternal City, there’s a real attempt to blend the best aspects of ancient and modern Rome in its design.
Why stay at Bulgari Hotel Roma?
Since the high fashion house was founded by Greek silversmith Sotirio Bulgari in 1884, its name has been synonymous with the height of luxury. The company branched out into hotels in 2004, with its first venture in Milan. Today, it has nine properties – in Beijing, London, Paris, Bali, Shanghai, Tokyo and Dubai – and now Rome. While there’s no shortage of five-star hotel options in Rome, Bulgari Roma stands out, with a sleek, contemporary design that complements the city’s ancient beauty. Bulgari has a partnership with the Torlonia Collection, a compendium of more than 600 Ancient Greek and Roman art works assembled by the noble Torlonia family from Rome. Bulgari has aided the restoration of several of these priceless artefacts, many of which are on temporary display throughout the hotel, making it akin to a private museum, available only to guests.
The rest of the interior is as peaceful an experience as a busy hotel can offer, and its spaces feel expensive with rich textures of marble, wood, and soft leather. The price tag is staggering, to put it lightly, but if it’s within your price range, it’s worth it.
What are the rooms like at Bulgari Hotel Roma?
The hotel's 114 rooms and suites range from Superior Rooms, each a generous 33-square-metres, all the way up to the Bulgari suite, which boasts a bar counter, private kitchen and a large dining room with a marble table inside its more than 300-square-metre space. That option costs €35,000 (£30,325) a night. If that’s out of your budget, all rooms at Bulgari Roma are elegantly decorated, with cream tones complimented by rich burgundies and saffrons. Guests, who pay at least €2,100 (£1,830) a night, are welcomed with glass bottles of still and sparkling water and, during my visit, with Crostata di marmellata – a traditional Italian jam tart – and a handwritten note offering round-the-clock assistance.
In my deluxe room, the bathroom was exactly that, with loo and bidet hidden behind a glass door, glorious shower and marble bathtub. There was even a Dyson hairdryer under the Jack-and-Jill sink unit, which was a very nice touch. The extensive pillow menu – think lavender-scented and buckwheat-stuffed cushions – was a welcome addition, and my choices were delivered in minutes. A flask of Mountain Berry tea was also left for me to enjoy before bed. One thing that may not be to everyone’s taste was the view from the window – my room looked out onto a courtyard flanked by plenty of other rooms, many with direct views into other people’s private sanctuaries.
What is the food like at Bulgari Hotel Roma?
The Lobby Lounge, reserved only for guests, serves food all day, from afternoon teas to aperitif. But Bulgari Roma has another five other outlets which are open to everyone. These include La Terrazza, a beautiful sunset-watching spot with stunning views of the city, and a Champagne bar with botanic wallpaper and dark wood panelling complete with Dom Pérignon trolley. For me, the standout was undoubtedly Il Caffe, which serves breakfast (included in the room rate) all day – so no rushing downstairs before final seatings at 9am. Instead, you can tuck into an extensive menu (Italian, Arabic, Chinese, buffet options and a la carte, you name it) until 3.30pm. My eggs royale, steamed spinach, freshly-pressed antioxidant juice and cappuccino were exquisite, as were the surroundings, which were decorated in true Grand Caffe style – marble accents, art deco-inspired light fixtures, lavishly-upholstered banquettes and ferns and palms. Fabulous service too, but that’s what you’re paying for.
The service at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Il Ristorante Niko Romito, was a little less impressive, although not a deal-breaker. The chef, Niko Romito, hails from Italy’s Abruzzo region and was awarded three Michelin stars for his restaurant, Reale, in Castel di Sangro. He’s now tasked with training chefs at producing menus at Bulgari’s hotels worldwide. I sampled the seven course tasting menu – €180 (£155) per person, or €280 (£242) with wine pairings – and it’s certainly a high-end tribute to classic Italian dishes. The tagliolini with Oscietra caviar and the glazed aubergine with tomato, basil and olives were standouts. You can’t get away from the feeling that this is very much a restaurant to be seen at, as flashes from influencer’s cameras are almost constant. And the booming music from next door’s Bulgari bar is a little off-putting for those trying to enjoy a laidback dinner. I was at the restaurant from 8pm to 10.30pm and, as it became busier the later it got, the service dropped off a bit, and I wasn’t offered coffee (though it was included in the tasting menu).
What’s the service like at Bulgari Hotel Roma?
It’s pretty much impossible to fault the service in any other way. I arrived in a rare summer thunderstorm and was covered all the way from my taxi to the lobby by two eager assistants, each carrying a huge umbrella – Bulgari branded, of course. The reception itself was the most relaxing I’ve ever experienced, thanks to the zen attitude of the staff. In fact, everyone from the cleaning team to front-of-house employees definitely offered service with a smile and, at the spa, a side of wit.
What are the pools and facilities like at Bulgari Hotel Roma?
Bulgari Roma’s spa is one of the best I’ve ever experienced. Spread over four floors, its large pool is the highlight, tiled in green and gold and surrounded by stained glass, statues and Romanesque pillars. There’s also a sauna, steam room and super luxurious treatment rooms. I had an hour-long signature massage (€200/£173) in a room with a heated bed which my therapist, Margarita, moved up and down to make me more comfortable at various points of the treatment. Margarita was an incredible practitioner, telling me which areas were particularly problematic, but in an amusing way, rather than a dictatorial one.
The mahogany-pannelled gym isn’t huge, but has everything needed for a decent workout, as well as Technogym technology, which uses AI to develop personalised training programmes. There are, of course, Bulgari-branded headphones for those who’d forgotten their own.
What’s the area like around Bulgari Hotel Roma?
You’re in the middle of the Campo Marzio district, right next to the river Tiber, so you’re minutes from the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo, and a slightly longer stroll from the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon. It’s also a brief hop from the main Via del Corso shopping area as well as the Bulgari boutique in Via Condotti, if you’re after a special memento of your stay. For transport, you’re right by the Spagna metro stop, if you fancy navigating Rome’s underground rail network.
Why you should book a stay at Bulgari Hotel Roma
Put it this way: I’ve never had as many ‘wow’ emoji reactions on Instagram as I did when I uploaded photos of my stay at Bulgari. If you’re going to blow the budget anywhere in Rome, you might as well do it here, especially if a high-quality spa is important to you. Above all else, Bulgari Rome feels historic and exclusive, stuffed full of statues, priceless jewels and rare antiques. Saunter down to breakfast at 2pm, utilise the fabulous staff wherever you can, and lean into the opulence of the whole thing. You’re paying for pure indulgence here, after all – enjoy it.
DETAILS
Address: 10 Piazza Augusto Imperatore, Rome 00186
Price: Superior rooms, the least expensive, start from €2,000 per night
Closest transport: Rome Fiumicino Airport is a 45-minute drive
Book now: Via Booking.com