Are These the Best Boutique Hotels in Rome Right Now?

Can a hotel have classic Roman appeal while still embracing a contemporary design and modern features? If the Elizabeth Unique Hotel has anything to say about it, the answer is yes. This cool little property feels like staying in a polished, upscale home -- albeit one with an impeccable art collection. You'll find original pieces in every room, as well as the hotel's lobby lounge and restaurant, all for sale and curated by local Galleria Russo. It's not only about style here, though, as rooms are tricked out with substantial extras like Bose speaker pods, digital concierges, free minibars, and even double rainfall showers in some categories. The location, just off buzzing Via del Corso and only a five-minute walk from the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo, is also a major plus.

In a city that's busy almost without pause, it's refreshing to find spots that still feel hidden from the madness. While only a five-minute walk from the Spanish Steps and just a block from Via del Corso, Casa Fabbrini Boutique B&B sits along a dead-end alley that feels tucked away from the tourists. This means you can expect plenty of peace and quiet, which only amplifies the posh, homey vibe at this tiny four-room property. Centuries-old interiors have been given a boho makeover, with reclaimed hardware and funky retro furniture offset by neutral tones and soothing colors throughout. The memory foam beds are some of the best we've found in Rome, but it's the kitchen here that's the star of the show. The hotel's managers are busy cooking cakes and cookies all day long and the enticing aroma fills the property. These can be snacked on day and night, and are featured in the generous communal breakfast spread in the morning as well.

Opened in 2018, Hotel Vilon is easily one of Rome's most stylish boutique hotels. The design is so impressive that the hotel feels far larger than it actually is (only 19 rooms in all). Once a convent and then a school for disadvantaged women, the hotel has plenty of history and abuts the opulent Borghese Palace. Interiors are anything but old-school, though -- expect stunning contemporary artwork and curated Art Deco details. This same ethos extends to the rooms, where you'll find much more space than at most central Rome hotels. Marble bathrooms and Bluetooth sound systems -- plus balconies with Borghese Palace garden views in some rooms -- are just a few of the perks you'll also score. The lounge is easily one of Rome's best places for an afternoon coffee or aperitivo. The attention to detail here ranges from the china chosen for espresso service to books decoding Italian hand gestures.

For luxury living in a chic boutique package, Margutta 19 is one of the best options in town. Opened in 2018, the hotel has fresh appeal, with a sharp mix of contemporary design details and Art Nouveau accents. The suites, which feature separate living rooms, are the best choice here; some even have balconies. However, all rooms come with numerous high-end perks, like biscotti on arrival, free bespoke snacks and soft drinks, Frette linens and down comforters, and espresso machines. Bathrooms are tricked out in marble and include Molton Brown bath products. One of the property's best assets is its location on Via Margutta, an incredibly pretty street in central Rome. Neighbors include indie art galleries and boutiques, plus plenty of cute cafes.

In a city where it's hard not to feel like a tourist, finding a boutique hotel that's a proper home away from home can be challenging. Cascau is that rare place that simultaneously encourages you to embrace your touristy side as well as your desire to live like a local. The loft-inspired apartments feature a boho-chic style that blends classic, industrial, minimalist, and maximalist design trends. They also include extras like local coffee, kitchens, spa bathrooms in many cases (one unit has a sauna), and bags of local bread and pastries delivered fresh to your door every morning. While the hotel is just a block and a half from the mobbed Trevi Fountain, apartments stay silent at night. That's no small feat in this part of Rome.

Something of a trendy destination for locals and tourists alike, the DOM Hotel is perhaps best known locally for its rooftop scene. Here, an aperitivo is an event that draws revelers from around the posh Campo de' Fiori and Piazza Navona areas. Dinner service is also available on the rooftop, which boasts beautiful city views. Rooms are austere and sharp, with beautifully preserved historic details in some. Opt for rooms on the second and third floors for soaring ceilings and accents like exposed wood beams, whitewashed brick, and frescos. It's an incredibly quiet part of the city, and remnants of the ancient monastery that was once the hotel's home can be found throughout. We particularly loved the tiles on the second floor, which were purchased by donors who supported the monastery.

A boutique hotel in a former 19th-century palace set in the heart of Rome? Yes, it's true -- such things do exist. Palazzo Dama is equal parts youthful see-and-be-seen destination and refined escape, depending on what day of the week you're visiting. Post up here Sunday through Thursday, and the gorgeous Art Deco interiors, chic pisco bar and Peruvian restaurant, and lovely pool all make for peaceful and amenity-packed places to unwind. Pass through on a Friday or Saturday, though, and you're likely to find locals and tourists queueing up for the hotel's lively nightclub. Either way, the package is undeniably pretty -- simultaneously vintage and contemporary. It's easily one of the most photogenic hotels in Rome right now.

Is Boutique Hotel Campo de' Fiori a new addition to the hotel scene in Rome? Not at all. Does it deserve plenty of attention? Absolutely. While we recommend seeking out one of the concierges here to get the whole story behind the hotel and Campo de' Fiori area, there are lots of cool secrets at this LGBTQ-friendly property. That starts with the hotel's origins as a former bordello for priests until the 18th century, as well as the resident ghost of Lucrezia Borgia who reportedly haunts Room 601. Interiors are classic and romantic, dripping with baroque style, though the rooftop may just top everything else on offer. Here, you'll find intimate seating areas with 360-degree views of nearly all of Rome.

Once a posh villa, The H'All Tailor Suite is now a funky upscale hotel in Rome's low-key Flaminio district, just north of Piazza del Popolo. The art collection here makes a bold statement. Pieces include everything from moody photographs to a bubblegum-pink life-size gorilla, though there are classic touches, too. Sleek canopy beds, chevron parquet flooring, and -- in suites -- spa-worthy bathrooms with two-person tubs all up the high-end ante. However, it's the hotel's restaurant -- All'Oro -- that steals the show. Reservations are a must at this Michelin-starred spot, where traditional Italian fare is spun into dramatically plated dishes in the show kitchen at the center of the dining area. Those staying at the hotel can get a free sneak peak of the dishes on offer during breakfast. Consisting of a flurry of small plates, guests can have a sweet or savory meal (or a combination of both) to start their day.

Not all of Rome's best boutique hotels have luxury-level price tags. Hotel degli Artisti offers plenty of value relative to its small size and simple style. The fresh property has classic interiors that are amped up by cool modern art. Rooms are clean and cozy, with smart TVs and -- in some -- views of the church gardens across the street. Like the DOM Hotel, it's the rooftop here that's the biggest draw. Aperitivo hour is perfect for watching the sun go down over Piazza Venezia in the distance. There's also a rooftop hot tub that's free for guests (and is exceedingly rare in central Rome). The hotel sits in one of Rome's quietest corners, yet is only a 10-minute walk from the Trevi Fountain and even closer to the Spanish Steps.


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