The 41-room Barocco is an upscale hotel on the Piazza Barberini. The spacious, upscale rooms have decor in shades of champagne and cream; some have great piazza views. While the hotel is lacking in features (such as spa or fitness facilities), it offers a picturesque piazza location within walking distance of the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. The extensive breakfast buffet includes pastries, yogurts, fruit, and meats. The nearby Boscolo Palace has more features, including a spa and restaurant, but it charges for Wi-Fi and breakfast.
Perfect views of the Piazza Barberini in the center of Rome
The hotel is housed in a historic palazzo, which was thoroughly restored in 2010. The immediate surroundings are arguably some of Rome’s best, and entering the hotel with the Fontana delle Tritone within view is almost cinematic. The tiny reception area and adjacent lobby lounge were fully refurbished following a fire in late 2016 and now look much more contemporary.
In terms of providing a scenic and convenient tourist experience, the Barocco pretty much nails it: It’s located in the historic Piazza Barberini, facing the Fontana delle Tritone and the Barberini Palace. It’s within a 10-minute walk of the Spanish Steps, Via Veneto, and Trevi Fountain, and the immediate area is flooded with some of Rome’s best shopping and dining options. A few sights are a bit more of a trek -- it's a 16-minute walk to the Pantheon, and a 25-minute walk to the Colosseum -- but there's a taxi queue not far from the hotel.
Rooms at the Barocco are as spacious, clean, and as upscale as the price point would suggest. Many have views of the Piazza Barberini and Fontana delle Tritone. They are decorated in shades of cream and champagne, and blend modern sophistication and classic Italian details; expect ruched bed throws, delicate curtains, crown molding, and in some, poster beds and travertine marble floors. Even entry-level rooms have plenty of space, memory foam mattress toppers, and modern bathrooms with rain showerheads. If you’re willing to open you wallet (or are on your honeymoon), there are some incredible features for higher tier rooms; some junior suites have unique layouts, including incredible outdoor whirlpools and massive terraces.
This small boutique hotel has an extensive (and free!) buffet breakfast but few other features.
The Barocco leaves guests mostly to their own devices in the way of services. Besides the small bar and breakfast room, renovated in 2017, there’s not much offered guests outside of room service and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. The breakfast buffet is quite extensive, though, with pastries, fruit, cereals, yogurt, and even eggs and bacon (hot items are rare at many hotel buffets in Rome). There is no fitness center and no spa treatments available, which may be a downside for some.