Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese: a luxury hotel in a strategic location
Have you ever had a luxury staycation? A few weeks ago I was invited to stay at the newly refurbished Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese. I live in the Eternal City so spending two nights at this five-star luxury Rome hotel in the Ludovisi neighborhood was a real treat.
Design and location
The hotel is lavish, recently redesigned in 2019 by French architect and interior designer Jean-Philippe Nuel and situated in a former 19th century Roman palazzo. The location is one of the best in Rome (if not the best), footsteps from the most famous sites such as the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain yet tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city. As part of the Accor group, the hotel is a mix between Italian and French luxury, with a stunning marble staircase, checkered and mosaic floors and beautiful artworks. With 78 guest rooms, there’s something for every need: from superior room to suites with private terraces.
Rooms and amenities
Each room features a Baroque-inspired ceiling that creates the illusion of a blue sky above. But the highlight of the room lies in the most basic detail: the beds. The guest rooms boast a signature Sofitel MyBed bed, one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in. It really felt like sleeping on a cloud. If you’re obsessed with bathrooms, the hotel’s marble bathrooms with Hermès toiletries will over deliver. And what better way to end a staycation than with breakfast in bed? Room service at Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese is 24/7, with in-room breakfast served till 10.30am. We had pancakes, juice, coffee and a selection of pastries served.
Settimo rooftop: breakfast, aperitivo and dinner
Foodies and dolce vita lovers will find one of the highlights of their experience to be the jaw-dropping Settimo Restaurant on the seventh floor of the hotel – a rooftop with one of the most beautiful views of Rome. From up here you can see all of Rome, from Villa Borghese to Villa Medici and St Peter’s Basilica. Breakfast is served à la carte, with a selection of omelettes, scrambled eggs, pancakes, french toast and everything from Italian to French baked goods. The pain au chocolat was terrific.
For dinner, we tried executive chef Giuseppe d’Alessio’s contemporary Roman cuisine in one of the most stunning tables of the rooftop restaurant. A 180-degree view of Rome awaited us, paired with an outstanding tasting menu and an attentive service. The highlights of the menu were surely the supplì served with a pecorino cheese sauce, the cacio e pepe tortelli on a pumpkin pure (favorite dish) and the saltimbocca alla romana. The setting is classy, with background music floating in the air and a view you’ll never forget. If dinner is not your thing and you’d rather enjoy the view paired with a Roman sunset you MUST visit during aperitivo. The view itself is worth the visit, but wait till you taste the cocktails! Settimo is also a fantastic place for a private party, meeting or reception.
Business events and Covid-19 safety measures
If you’re in town for business, Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese boasts three large event rooms and an informal seating area for guests. I had to work on Friday and settled into the beautiful Champagne Bar in the lobby, where I was given a faster wi-fi connection to work.
In response to COVID-19, Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese has introduced enhanced hygiene & sanitary standards to ensure guest safety in accordance with Accor’s #ALLSAFE program. Verified by SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing, and certification company, the cleanliness & prevention certification label provides assurance that these elevated standards have been met.
The Verdict
If you’re looking for a luxury hotel in Rome, footsteps from the most beautiful sites of the capital yet in a quiet area boasting a wow view, Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese is it. The concierge will be more than happy to recommend the best places to dine and help you in reserving museum tickets. Will definitely be back soon.
