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Review
Soho House Rome is undeniably gorgeous. The interiors carry the brand’s signature stamp of cool, effortlessly layering terrazzo flooring, with curved headboards and textured walls. It’s also impressive in terms of scale; there’s a gym and wellness club, a screening room, lounge spaces and a drop-dead restaurant on the rooftop with incredible views looking out to the city centre.
The decision to position it in San Lorenzo, an up-and-coming neighborhood just outside the centre, was very much deliberate. According to their Italian members, Soho House say the area is home to an emerging creative scene. This is probably true, but if you don’t know Rome well, or it’s your first visit, you might feel out of the action and a little lost in what feels like a hard-to-understand locale.
Rome’s hotel scene is thriving but by stepping out of the centre, Soho House has managed to snag something that many others haven’t: space. Swapping ancient history for a sleek new-build means that most rooms have their own balcony or terrace. The 360 degree rooftop with a pool is a rather nice touch, too.
You also get the Soho House treatment which means complimentary skincare from Soho Skin in bathrooms, tonnes of Cowshed products in the shower, welcome drinks or snacks, super snuggly dressing gowns and well-known cocktails like the legendary Picante on the drinks menu.
Across 69 rooms there’s plenty to choose from with sizing ranging from cosy and small, to medium, big, large and extra large – and don’t even get me started on the apartments. I stayed in a medium, characterised by an earthy colour palette of coffee-hued limewash walls and polished teak furniture. It had a 60s feel and was luxuriously design-led, but you can tell that’s a standard scheme across this room category. Bonus points for the balcony. Family apartments are decked out with vintage seating and marble coffee tables.
At Soho House there are food and drinks, day or night, whenever you need them. Soho House knows what they’re doing and offers room service, breakfast, all day dining and late-night snacks.
Breakfast is fabulous – particularly the cacio e pepe scrambled eggs. Dinner at Cecconi is taken on the roof, complete with form-led seating and lemon trees twirling above your head. Italian classics were done well (I went for the aubergine parmigiana), and the cocktails, as ever, are excellent – you’re at Soho House, so it would be criminal not to order an Eastern Standard.
Mostly, great. The reception staff were welcoming, offered us ice-cold water on arrival and warmly shared tips for the city. The manager and restaurant host were also friendly and checked in regularly, helping us choose the best place to sit for a sunset view and talking happily through the menu. I let reception know when my shower wouldn’t run hot and one bedside lamp wasn’t working. Though I didn’t hear any follow up, the light started working again but the shower didn’t, meaning cold showers for two days.
This is where Soho House Rome comes into its own. Across 10 floors there is, as mentioned, a screening room with a different film every night available to watch for free, as well as a gym with classes, a spa, areas to work and events spaces – and, a rooftop pool with plenty of beds. You couldn’t really ask for more. When we tried to book a massage, we found all spaces were full for the next two days – so make sure to book in advance.
San Lorenzo is a student area with a younger, cooler vibe than the centre of Rome. In some ways, it is heavenly to be away from the oppressive crowds – especially in summer. But, there’s not an obvious hot spot in the few streets directly around the hotel, so ask the team for recommendations to help you explore.
If you love Soho House’s universal appeal, you’ll love what they’ve done with their own little corner of Rome. If you come for anything, come for the rooftop pool – it might just be the best in the city.
Address: Via Cesare de Lollis, 14, 00185, Roma
Expect to pay: From €355 per night
Closest transport: Marrucini bus stop (buses 492 and n3d) is a two-minute walk.
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