Villa Spalletti Trivelli

Formerly a 19th-century mansion built by the lady-in-waiting of the Queen of Italy, Villa Spalletti Trivelli – now a boutique residence converted by the Countess’ great grandchildren – carries longstanding aristocratic heritage. Most items and features in the house – from the antique furniture and the Countess’s choice of art, to the intricate mosaic floors and handsome wood paneling – have been carefully preserved. This historic ambiance provides authentic insight into the life of the Countess – who, aside from intimate exposure to Italy’s royalty, harbored a passion for women’s rights and literature. The drawing room was once frequented by prominent literary and cultural figures of the time – invited by the Countess herself to cultivate a literary scene in Rome. Today, it’s a stately lounge for distinguishing guests. Service is discreet, yet ever-present should anything be required. Similar to the culture of a private mansion, guests are warmly welcomed and effortlessly catered to, but intentionally left undisturbed unless a need arises. While some may prefer more proactive attentiveness, it allows for ample freedom and privacy, and the feeling of being completely at ease in the intimate surroundings of your own home. Exclusive access to the house is granted via a classic doorbell: it’s an oasis of tranquility and privacy smack in the center of one of Europe’s busiest metropolises. Couples (and occasional families) hail primarily from the U.S. and Australia, with a smaller fraction of guests visiting from Southeast Asia. 

Villa Spalletti Trivelli’s unique, yet central, location – tucked into a leafy residential area just across from the Quirinal Palace – provides a rare respite from Rome’s otherwise hectic pace. The Monti district has a local feel, where independent boutiques and good restaurants can be found less than a 10-minute walk away. Trevi Fountain is just seven minutes away on foot, while Piazza Venezia’s iconic altar monument is an 11-minute walk from the hotel. The Colosseum, Spanish Steps, and Pantheon can all be reached in 15 minutes on foot, while the Vatican is a 15-minute taxi ride. Both Ciampino and Fiumicino Airports are just under 40 minutes away by car. 

Rich fabrics, handsome wood accents, and elegant high ceilings characterise Villa Spalletti Trivelli’s distinguished and understated rooms – while occasional modern touches add balance. The 12 rooms in the main villa are categorized by size, and all come with ample luxury amenities including free welcome gifts, a well-stocked unlimited free minibar, L’Occitane toiletries, bathrobes and slippers, luxurious bed linens, satellite TV with hundreds of international channels, and free Wi-Fi and safe access. While there are no tea- or coffee-making facilities – to protect the valuable antiques from potential hot water accidents – you can find that in the drawing room. The beautiful marble bathrooms have deep soaking tubs and separate showers, as well as two sinks. Views vary between the public gardens of the Quirinal Palace across the road, and the villa’s own stately private garden. Romantic Rooms are the smallest category, while Prestige Deluxe Rooms are bigger and include a small seating area. The Junior Suite has its own study, making it well-suited for attending to any business. Grand Deluxe Suites are the largest units, and have separate living rooms plus walk-in wardrobes. The villa also recently added four detached apartments, finished in a more modern style: two Garden Suites with separate kitchens, living rooms with sofabeds, and large private terraces; and two two-bedroom apartments suited for longer stays.

Villa Spalletti Trivelli’s facilities help create a tranquil escape from the hectic bustle of Rome. Among guest favorites are the stately private garden – perfect for breakfast alfresco – and the fabulous rooftop terrace. The latter includes three hot tubs (one available for booking for private use), a section for sunbathing, and a free unlimited self-serve bar. Much akin to the Countess’ literary gatherings, the villa now hosts an invite-only cocktail hour in summer – where guests can mingle with high profile figures of Italian society, accompanied by tailor-made cocktails. An elegant marble spa houses a sauna, steam room, and 24-hour gym. Access is free, though massages and treatments cost extra. A free unlimited self-serve bar in the drawing room is useful for winding down in evenings or a pre-dinner drink.Breakfast is free, and is a generous buffet that includes cakes and pastries made by the villa, freshly baked bread, organic yogurt and honey, cold cuts and organic mozzarella di bufala, fresh fruit and juice, as well as hot options. Aside from a daytime menu serving snacks, the villa also has full menus for lunch and dinner which include traditional family recipes using the villa’s own organic olive oil and organic wines. A daily aperitivi hour includes prosecco and snacks served until the last guest retires to bed. A library with a dizzying array of over 40,000 books – some dating back to the 17th century – provides for fascinating nightcap reading, while also doubling as a meeting room for business guests. All of the usual amenities including Wi-Fi and garden parking are free – although a fee is required for sheltered garage parking.