Hotel degli Artisti

Named after the artists for which this city is famous, Hotel degli Artisti opened in 2016 and is a fresh, peaceful option in a city that doesn't have much of either. Just a few blocks from busy Via Vittoria Veneto, the streets immediately around the hotel are quiet, and that welcome is only amplified upon stepping inside the property. The look is both classic and modern, with pops of vivid color, a mix of antique and contemporary art, and lots of creamy white tones all around. It's this bright quality that helps make the hotel stand out from its competitors, which tend to be old, dated, and dark. A calm vibe pervades the entire property, though it's especially tranquil on the gorgeous rooftop terrace. An aperitivo with your partner or friends in the evening is undoubtedly a highlight of a stay here, where intimate groups of seating look out onto stunning city views, all the way to Piazza Venezia. Most guests are couples traveling from the United States, though families and other international travelers are also seen here. 

Hotel degli Artisti manages to pull off a feat in central Rome. While other central hotels suffer from crowds and noise day and night, this property sits on an incredibly quiet side street in a peaceful neighborhood. That's something special, considering wildly busy Via Vittoria Veneto is just blocks away, as is bustling Piazza Barberini. Short 10-minute walks reach everywhere from leafy Villa Borghese to the Trevi Fountain. The Spanish Steps are even closer -- only five minutes away on foot -- which puts you amid Campo Marzio's chic luxury shops and cafes. There are cool sights even closer, including the Capuchin Crypt and Palazzo Barberini, both of which are less than a five-minute walk away. The metro is available at Barberini as well, for connections to the Vatican Museums in 20 minutes or so, or Fiumicino Airport (via Termini Station) in 45 to 55 minutes. A taxi to the airport will take about the same amount of time. 

The rooms here offer a fresh and bright alternative to the dowdy and worn options found throughout the city. That fact alone makes them worth the money, though when you add the tranquil, almost silent vibe of the neighborhood all around, it's hard to fault a stay here. Expect white walls, classic artwork, pops of yellow or red in the linens and window dressings, and lots of light from tall windows. Standard features include air-conditioning, Smart TVs, minibars, laptop safes, proper closets, slippers, and bathrobes. Many rooms have great views over the neighboring church's gardens. Bathrooms are simple and clean, with rainfall showers or shower/tub combos in some rooms. The Sky Suite is a particularly impressive option, with two massive terraces, beautiful bathrooms, and custom-made furniture. Family Rooms fit up to four, though there are also units that can be sectioned off from the rest of the floor to create family-friendly units capable of housing more people. The practical effect that this has is eliminating doors between rooms -- one of the more awful design trends that allows noise to seep between connecting rooms in most hotels. Here, though, you get a private semi-suite with rooms joined by the exterior hallway, sectioned off from the rest of the hotel. 

This hotel doesn't have a ton of features, and lacks a full-service restaurant, but there are some great surprises regardless. Perhaps the best feature is the rooftop terrace, which has plenty of small seating groups and makes it an amazing place for an aperitivo as the sun goes down over Rome. Views are expansive -- all the way to Piazza Venezia and beyond -- and there's pretty landscaping all around. The rooftop also has a hot tub that's free for guests to use. Breakfast is an American buffet that's included with all rates and served in a separate breakfast room. Downstairs, when the weather isn't appropriate for outdoor drinks, there's a small lobby bar that slings drinks in the evening. Wi-Fi is free at the hotel.