The grandeur of ornate columns, red velvet drapes, and sparkling crystal chandeliers will always have a place in the Eternal City. Injecting fresh energy into the accommodation scene, the Six Senses Rome, which recently debuted in the historic heart of the Italian capital, weaves together heritage and a sort of mod spin on halcyon refinement.
As the first urban opening for the luxury hospitality brand, travelers can expect all the polish and five-star service that’s consistent throughout the rest of the posh portfolio, but in a city-center setting that’s endlessly enticing. The hotel takes up residence in the 15th-century Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellinia, a meticulously restored former cardinal’s residence, that’s just a stone’s throw from UNESCO-protected landmarks such as the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon.
It’s hard to express (and much more difficult to execute) the attention to detail and mastery of craft required to bring a landmark back to its former glory. The challenge is, of course, exacerbated when a project also attempts to breathe new life into a living legend. The Six Senses Rome manages to excel in all these pursuits with characteristic ease and elegance. The result is a serene, stylish property that pays homage to tradition but isn’t confined by it.
Classic and contemporary elements come together as if by fate with travertine stone, 600-year-old columns, and cocciopesto—a building material used in ancient Rome—adding character to airy spaces. One of the best examples of the brilliant interplay between past and present comes in the spa, which offers a modern interpretation of an ancient Roman bathing ritual with a caldarium, tepidarium, and frigidarium. Biologique Recherche facials, biohacking treatments, and sound therapy are also on the menu. While an herbal-infused hammam and the Alchemy Bar up the holistic wellness credentials.
Appointed with neutral hues, sumptuous textiles, and elegant curvatures, rooms and suites find equal success in gracefully bridging the gap between eras. High-tech upgrades and sustainable, sleep-oriented amenities like organic mattresses mingle with triclinium-style marble seating on the terraces.
While many would argue the impossibility of adding anything truly noteworthy to the city’s dining sector, the Six Senses Rome once again marches forth in the pursuit of perfection. Innovative yet soulful, the menu at BIVIUM Restaurant-Café-Bar is a confluence of all things worth devouring with exquisite meat and plant-based options. The convergent theme extends to the design as diners look down in awe at a large baptismal bath uncovered during an archaeological excavation that’s visible under glass floor tiles. The perfect spot for apertivo or dinner, the sun-warmed NOTOS Rooftop exudes an unmistakable sense of at-homeness with plant-filled terracotta pots, lounge chairs, and sweeping views.
Top Takeaways
Location: Rome, Italy
Rating: Five-Star
The Vibe: A modern-day refuge in a restored palazzo.
Food + Drink: Despite having access to dozens of incredible restaurants within a few blocks of the hotel, guests will have a hard time passing up the chance to dine at BIVIUM Restaurant-Café-Bar, an all-day eatery on the ground floor, and buzzy NOTOS Rooftop.
Amenities: Concierge, Fitness Center, Lounge, Restaurant, Rooftop Terrace Bar, Room Service, Spa, Earth Lab, Valet Parking
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: It’s a sophisticated sanctuary in the middle of the city.
5 Nearby Attractions: Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Doria Pamphili Gallery, National Museum of the Palazzo di Venezia, Le Domus Romane di Palazzo Valentini
Any Personal Neighborhood Recs? It’s not hard to stumble upon a restaurant in Rome that oozes history. We’re partial to the classic dishes like carbonara and sommelier-recommended wines at Armando al Pantheon. Nestled among 100-year-old buildings in the old Jewish quarter, a 10-minute walk from the Six Senses Rome, Renato al Ghetto is the best place to try kosher Roman cuisine in the city.
Rooms: 96 guest rooms and suites
Pricing: Rooms start at $1,097/night
Closest Airport: Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO)
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