J.K. Place Roma

Opened in 2013, J.K. Place Roma is a striking example of how a hotel can embrace its historic setting and character with plenty of style. The hotel is housed in a three-floor, 17th-century building that once served as a school of architecture. The exterior has been preserved, but the glamorous interiors have been designed by the renowned Michele Bonan and featuring original art and photography, custom-made Tuscan furnishings, and antiques from around the world. The look seamlessly blends mid-century modern elements with classic flair. Guests enter to a lobby with a table topped with flowers and a small sit-down reception desk. The inviting space has a skylight that bathes the room in natural light, and its monochromatic color palette offsets low-slung sofas and tables, Eames-style chairs, abstract art, and Roman statuary. A smaller living room has a cozy feel, with dark woods, a red Berber rug, comfortable sofas and armchairs, and a marble fireplace. It's a fine place to relax and read one of the many art, photography, and design monographs on the mahogany bookshelves. For a livelier venue in which to unwind, the hotel's sumptuously decorated restaurant and cocktail lounge features green velvet banquettes, round brass tables, a rosewood-paneled bar, mint green walls, black-and-white photos, and a contemporary chandelier. The hotel draws couples and well-heeled tourists, who appreciate the hotel's elegance, intimacy, and central location.

J.K. Place Roma is on the Via di Monte d'Oro, a quiet back street just east of the Tiber River. Numerous shops, restaurants, bars, pizzerias, and gelato stands are in the area. The hotel is right off the intersection of the Via del Corso and Via Condotti, with its high-end shopping that includes famous Italian names like Prada and Gucci. Several bus stops are a short stroll away. The Spanish Steps can be reached by walking seven minutes from the hotel, and the Spagna Metro station is an eight-minute walk. Both the Piazza Navona and Pantheon are within an eight-minute walk and it will take 10 minutes to reach the Trevi Fountain on foot. It's a little over 15 minutes by a combination of bus and walking to reach the Colosseum, and about 20 minutes by bus and foot to the Roman Forum. Vatican City is 20 minutes away by using the buses and walking. Expect a 15-minute taxi ride to catch trains at Termini Station, and it's a 35-minute drive to Leonardo da Vinci International Airport from the hotel.

There's a lot to love about the handsome rooms at this hotel, all of which employ a smart blend of contemporary style and vintage details. The smallest rooms, the J.K. Classic Rooms, come in at 20 square meters of space -- they can feel snug, but are still larger than many rooms in central Rome (and higher-category rooms here can be downright large, with 50 square meters, or 540 square feet, of space). Rooms have a glamorous but understated look and feature rich materials throughout, like rosewood in the four-poster beds used in some upgraded rooms. Expect to see mid-century modern details like sharp wood paneling alongside brass fixtures, wood and black lacquer furniture, geometric print upholstery, modern art and photography, and plush beds with thick mattresses and soft cotton linens. The color palette includes light gray, off-white, beige, gold, emerald green, and wine red. All rooms come with safes, minibars with free soft drinks and snacks (replenished daily), iPod docks, free Wi-Fi, and large flat-screen TVs with English and movie channels. Some rooms have balconies with views of the surrounding buildings, while Junior Suites have sitting areas and J.K. Master Rooms have separate living rooms with sofa beds. Higher-end rooms include some combination of walk-in closets, wooden cabinets, marble fireplaces, and libraries. Bathrooms are clad in marble and offer bidets, bathrobes, slippers, and premium bath products. Some have separate tubs and showers. Despite the hotel's city center location, rooms are quiet. 

For a hotel in its category, the J.K. Place Roma has relatively few facilities on-site, but that comes with this hotel's truly boutique ethos. There are plans to open a fitness center, full-service spa, and outdoor rooftop terrace in the future, so travelers should check ahead with the hotel. Otherwise, an excellent free breakfast buffet is served every morning and features made-to-order eggs, hot dishes, cheeses, breads, pastries, fruit, juice, coffee, and a daily chef's special. The stylish restaurant also serves lunch and dinner, with an innovative menu of Italian and international fare. A weekend brunch is also served and room service is available. The elegant cocktail lounge pours a wide range of signature cocktails, liquors, beers, and wines, and has a small menu of inventive and tasty appetizers. The hotel has a 24-hour front desk, public computer, concierge service, baggage assistance, and on-site valet parking (for a fee). Small pets are welcome in rooms for no additional fee. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, and the hotel even provides guests with mobile hotspots so that they can use their cell phones when out in Rome.