3 Fabulous 4* Hotels in Rome (And Which One Is Right for You)

Donna Camilla Savelli

If hotels could tell stories, Donna Camilla Savelli would never stop talking.

Housed in a 17th-century monastery designed by famed Baroque architect Francesco Borromini, this hotel is full of quiet courtyards, hidden corners, grand staircases, and enough history to make you wonder who walked these halls centuries before you. There is even a beautiful church on site.

Nestled in Trastevere, one of Rome’s most charming neighborhoods (and where I studied abroad two decades ago), you’re surrounded by ivy-covered buildings, tiny wine bars, family-run trattorias, and streets that somehow become even prettier after sunset.

Donna Camilli Savelli’s rooftop views

This is where you linger over dinner, get pleasantly lost on purpose, and convince yourself you could absolutely move to Rome. I always suggest a room upgrade here, as entry-level rooms can be on the smaller side.

Perfect for:

• Couples and groups (not necessarily small children)

• Lovers of history and architecture

• Those who want a quiet oasis in central Rome

• New Yorkers who love the East Village or Williamsburg

The onsite church at Donna Camilla Savelli

My twin room at Donna Camilla Savelli, recently renovated

Chapter Roma

Located between Campo de' Fiori and the Jewish Ghetto, this boutique hotel has a confident, contemporary vibe without trying too hard. The design is bold, the cocktail bar is buzzing, and the restaurant attracts as many locals as it does hotel guests—which is always a good sign.

Step outside and you’re minutes from some of Rome’s best restaurants, lively piazzas, and historic landmarks. You can spend the day exploring the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, then come back for a perfectly crafted Negroni before dinner. Entry level rooms are little tight, so consider a loft or suite style room.

The onsite fine dining restuarant, Campocori, is my favorite dinner spot in Rome right now for a special occasion. The dishes are creative, and the meal is unlike anything I’ve previously experienced. Even when clients don't book Chapter Roma, I send them to dinner here.

It’s Rome with a modern twist. Sexy, modern, and the place to be.

Perfect for:

• Food lovers

• Cocktail enthusiasts

• Couples on a city escape

• Travelers who enjoy a little buzz around them

• New Yorkers who love Soho and the West Village

Palm Suites

If your dream is opening the curtains and realizing the Colosseum is practically your neighbor, this is your place.

Palm Suites is a less traditional hotel and more like your impossibly stylish Roman apartment. Imagine beautiful interiors, large spaces, and one of the world’s greatest landmarks just around the corner. As you enter the condo building, you pass through a gated courtyard and check in desk, and the city quiets around you. Note, the desk closes around 10 p.m. (at which time clients are serviced by the nearby sister hotel, Palazzo Manfredi).

Palm Suite’s king bed (look at the height of that ceiling!)

An internal courtyard at Palm Suite

The suites are spacious (a rarity in Rome), many include kitchenettes, and the atmosphere is calm, elegant, and wonderfully understated. Different type of bed configurations can be arranged, which is helpful for families with kids or groups of friends. No two suites are exactly the same.

It’s understated luxury.

Perfect for:

• Families

• Longer stays

• Travelers who like a little extra room

• Anyone who secretly wants to pretend they’re living in Rome instead of just visiting

• New Yorkers who love Murray Hill, Hell’s Kitchen, and NoMad.

More beautiful bedding at Palm Suites

A breakfast treat

So... which one would I choose?

If your Roman holiday involves wandering cobbled streets with pizza in hand from a nearby forno, soaking up the vibes of a neighborhood, Donna Camilla Savelli is calling your name.

If your ideal day ends with cocktails, incredible food, and effortlessly chic vibes, Chapter Roma is hard to beat.

If you’re dreaming about morning walks around the Colosseum before the crowds arrive and coming home to a spacious suite at the end of the day, Palm Suites delivers exactly that.

My insider tip:

Here’s something I’ve learned after planning countless trips to Italy:

People rarely remember how big the room was. They remember how it felt when they woke up from a perfect night’s sleep, how breakfast tasted al fresco, and the neighborhood they strolled through each day.

That’s why I spend so much time helping clients choose the right hotel, not just a good one.

Because in Rome, your hotel isn’t simply where you sleep. It’s part of your story.

And if we’ve chosen well, it’ll be one of the reasons you can’t wait to come back.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Rome page.