Where should you stay in Rome? There are plenty of incredible hotels in The Eternal City scattered between landmarks like the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. Here, we’ll take a close look at one of Accor’s finest with our Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese review.
Rome is filled with just about every type of hotel you could think of. Those high-end examples of superlative luxury accommodation, those mid-range charmers that get by with a boutique state of mind, and those comfortable budgets for thrifty travellers.
There’s no shortage of choice if you’re looking for the best hotels in Rome, and while Accor has plenty of pull when it comes to the top picks, one of the French company’s most prized has always been the Sofitel. I’d imagine this is mostly credited to the boutique aesthetic captured so well, transforming the historic house into something that feels far removed from the ostentatious, large-scale hotels you’d find from Sofitel in other parts of the world.
Modesty does the heavy lifting when it comes to the hotel’s irrepressible charm, sliding in quite nicely into the homely street and camouflaging the hotel amongst the rows of historic houses.
The property fills out a heritage 19th-century palazzo that doesn’t look like a hotel from the outside. In fact, you wouldn’t be able to tell it was a Sofitel if there wasn’t a plaque outside and an affable doorman helping smooth the check-in process.
Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese Review – Table Of Contents
Location
Accor clearly didn’t want this expression of the Sofitel brand to disrupt the historic surroundings, and it shows. As above, the hotel fits in seamlessly on Via Lombardia, which is a short walk to one of Rome’s most incredible parks and museums, Villa Borghese – hence the name.
You’re only a 10-minute walk from the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain – almost a straight shot down a lovely, rather steep street lined with traditional Roman pastry shops and boutiques. And while you’re not in the middle of the action, it actually feels like an advantage being on the periphery of Rome’s beating heart.
The location also means the rooftop restaurant can afford some incredible views, not just overlooking Villa Borghese but flittering out to the unmistakable dome of St Peter’s Basilica, which looks fantastic set amongst the rest of the city.
You’re quite close to the Piazza Barberini transport hub, so it’s easy to get around the city and catch buses or the metro to neighbourhoods like Trastevere, Pigneto and Monti. And, of course, Vatican City. In fact, it takes just under an hour to walk to Vatican City from the hotel, which isn’t bad at all if you’re also keen on seeing Rome on foot.
Design & Features
In 2019, Accor commissioned designer Jean-Philippe Nuel to reimagine Sofitel’s interiors and rooms, and from first impression, he has done an incredible job. I can’t compare the hotel’s current look to its past as this was my first time staying there, but if elegance and character were the brief then the sought-after designer has done an excellent job.
And it screams luxury from the get-go. Walk into the homely lobby and you’ll see a comfortable lounge area on your left with a display case of Acqua di Parma and a patterned rack of Maison Perrier-Jouët Champagne – a tremendous symbol of Sofitel’s attempt to fuse Roman classicism with French art de vivre.
The building is the former guest house of the aristocratic Ludovisi Boncompagni family and Accor’s sensitive renewal keeps that feeling of grounded splendour. Although at times, this can also make the spaces feel rather cramped.
Thankfully the rooftop restaurant, Settimo, feels open and bright with its garden-themed interior and mosaic floors, elevated by panoramic views over Rome that hit immediately and hit hard. Although on my visit, the weather was quite moody and the outside balcony was, sadly, closed. Seeing chairs folded into tables kind of ruins the mood.
Rooms
My 18-square-metre Luxury Room is quite interesting. You walk into the comfortable but cramped lounge area and the bathroom serves as the hallway between that and the bedroom. It’s narrow, but the space is used well, and the designers have even managed to fit in a free-standing tub right next to the bed while the marble bathroom has a shower, toilet and double basin.
The only thing that spoils the vibe here is the lack of a view. Mine faces a droll courtyard, making it feel less like a luxury hotel room and more like a one-bedroom apartment. This also means the lack of light darkens the interior, which was obviously designed with brightness in mind.
Food & Drink
While I wasn’t there long enough to try Chef Giuseppe D’Alessio’s Franco-Italian food, I did manage to grab breakfast, which is served in Settimo. And walking up to the rooftop restaurant is obviously a great, invigorating way to start the day. However, the breakfast buffet is quite minimal and largely disappointing, as are the few a la carte options.
You’re much better off starting the day with a Roman pastry nearby, of which there are many options. Consider this a good option, however, if you’re looking to make the most of your room rate.
Service
Throughout my time in Italy, I rediscovered a love for the art of the concierge. And Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese has an excellent one. You’re in very good hands if you want restaurant recommendations, bookings and advice.
“Don’t waste your time,” was uttered more than once when I enquired about some restaurant recommendations I lifted from Google. And having this local advice to push back against listicles from time-poor publications (not ours – our round-ups are legit) is invaluable.
The rest of the staff helped make the stay as seamless as possible, sustaining the reputation Sofitel has for considered, personal service.
While there is no spa or pool, the reception will gladly book in a massage for you. That’s fair, but it also puts a big dent in value for those expecting such amenities from a luxury hotel. There is, however, a gym with just the essentials.
Verdict & Value
The room category I stayed in – Luxury Room – would be around AU$1,303 for two nights if I booked in for April 2023. That’s just at the tail-end of the off-season, so the price would climb much higher than $650 a night when Rome hits its peak beauty.
Does Accor do enough to justify a $650 price tag? Given Rome is famously expensive for luxury hotels, I’m inclined to say yes. Although there’s some hesitation here. You’re getting incredible service and an exceptional location, but the lack of additional amenities and the disappointing breakfast does spoil what would otherwise be a solid recommendation.
Still, it’s a very reliable stay and, in the context of Rome’s luxury hotels, quite affordable. The location certainly helps here as it’s one of the most accessible hotels in the area, given neighbouring properties W Rome and Hotel Splendide Royal can climb a bit higher in terms of price.
Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese
Address: Via Lombardia, 47, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Contact: +39 06 478021
Luxury Room rates start from around $650 per night.
The author, Chris Singh, stayed at Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese as a guest of Accor Hotels for two nights.
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