Grand Hotel Via Veneto
What's so special
This hotel opened in 2009 in a revamped Art Deco building. As soon as you enter the hotel you feel as if you have been transported back in time. The hotel is situated in the vibrant Via Veneto area of Rome if the streets look familiar, it's probably because they featured in the Fellini's classic film, La Dolce Vita.
How they rate it
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"There's no lack of verve or confidence in the Grand Hotel's Art Deco look, buzzy street-level bar-restaurant and spot-on service," says Lee Marshall in The Daily Telegraph. "Flappers and cads would feel perfectly at home in the Deco-style interior, but the rest of us can enjoy its Roaring Twenties theatricality too." It's not a cheap hotel, but "if you can pick up the tab, it's a stylish kip that makes a change from the tired old luxury classics".
The menu
The Magnolia restaurant serves up a decent breakfast, but it's the street-level Time restaurant that "has the buzz and the culinary edge", offering seafood specialities and gourmet burgers.
The cost
Rooms start from £260 per night. For more information, visit the website at www.jumeirah.com or call 00 39 064 878 81.
Kolbe Hotel
What's so special
This 15th-century convent-turned-hotel is situated in one of Rome's most coveted areas on the southern side of the Roman forum. Although it is centrally located both the Palatine Hill and the Circus Maximus are close by tourists rarely seem to stumble across it. Those who do are in for a treat.
How they rate it
The hotel has 72 sleek, modern rooms, "each with unusual textures and details, such as mosaic tiles and red Venetian marble", says Amanda Ruggeri in The Guardian. Many rooms look out over the hotel's large garden, which is filled with orange, olive and palm trees.
But it is the fantastic location that is the hotel's main selling point. "Don't miss the Circus Maximus farmers' market next door, or the nearby magnificent and oft-ignored gems, like the fourth-century Arch of Janus or the seventh-century church of San Giorgio al Velabro."
The menu
The hotel restaurant serves excellent regional cuisine from a wide-ranging menu in its dining room. Gourmands will not be disappointed. You can also choose to eat al fresco, weather permitting.
The cost
Rooms start from £240, including breakfast. Find out more at www.kolbehotelrome.com, or call 00 39 066 798 866.
The best restaurants in Rome
Sample some of the best cuisine Italy has to offer at one of Rome's best restaurants, as chosen by Italian food specialist Diane Seed in The Guardian.
Fortunato al Pantheon is "frequented by politicians of many persuasions". The menu is classic Italian with daily specials alongside classic pasta, such as spaghetti alle vongole. In season, "they serve delicious tagliolini with white truffles and fresh funghi porcini". The average cost is €40 (Ristorantefortunato.it).
Ditirambo is a small, "rather dark" restaurant that is "best in the heat of summer or when the weather is bleak outside". The "good, varied menu combines Roman specialities, like cacao e pepe (pasta with pecorino romano sheep's cheese and black pepper), with interesting innovations such as thin slices of crisp potato with cheese fondue and slivers of black truffles". There is also an "excellent" wine list. The average cost is €30 (Ristoranteditirambo.it).
Il Convivio Troianai is "a place for special occasions, with its elegant rooms and beautiful tableware". The menu is an "exciting mix of old and new". Many traditional Roman favourites have been given a new twist, such as boneless oxtail with celeriac puree.
"This is great designer food and people are encouraged to order a series of half portions to create their own tasting menu." This means the bill can vary quite considerably, with the average cost around €120 per head. For more information, see Ilconviviotroiani.com.
