Rome has always been a destination for art, history and culture, but, until recently, true luxury hospitality in the Eternal City was surprisingly limited. Five-star hotels existed, but the selection was small, often traditional and rarely pushed the boundaries of modern luxury. That’s changing fast. In 2025, a wave of new openings, high-profile renovations and bold hospitality concepts redefines what it means to stay in Rome. According to Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, Rome’s hotel occupancy far exceeds the European average, and Rome responded by investing more than 450 million euros in the city’s hotels in 2024 to meet the growing demand for exceptional experiences. Last month, I attended the inaugural edition of RISE Rome, a premier event dedicated to the city’s luxury hospitality sector, to catch up on the latest updates and newest trends shaping the city. Here are highlights from some of the city’s top stays.

A pioneer of Roman luxury, the first St. Regis hotel in Europe opened its doors in Rome in 1894. It was also the first hotel in the city to offer electricity, hot water and other modern comforts, quickly becoming the go-to for dignitaries and aristocrats.

Among its more intriguing contemporary touches is a seasonal capsule collection in collaboration with Italian artisans. This rotating collection of luxurious treats ranges from fine jewelry to plush slippers, enhancing both the hotel experience and unique take-home opportunities (yes, shopping) with a distinct connection to Italian heritage and style.

Atop Monte Mario, the highest hill in the city, Rome Cavalieri is home to the city’s most coveted balcony views. Opened in 1963 as the first Waldorf Astoria in Europe, this palatial retreat is equal parts luxury resort and private art museum, boasting more than 1,100 pieces of original artwork from Renaissance paintings to 18th-century tapestries. Undergoing a phased renovation in 2026, the hotel will modernize rooms one wing at a time without disrupting guest experiences, ensuring every stay remains exceptional.

Rooms are all uniform in size but vary in view, with the most coveted boasting unbeatable views of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Colosseum. Suites are available for more space. For additional indulgence, the hotel’s La Pergola remains Rome’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurant, and the expansive 26,000-square-foot spa offers 10 treatment rooms, a Turkish bath, sauna and relaxation areas.

Arriving this spring, Orient Express La Minerva marks a significant milestone as the first hotel in the legendary Orient Express collection. In the historic Piazza della Minerva, just steps from the Pantheon, this highly anticipated property blends heritage with supreme luxury. Originally built in 1620 as Palazzo Fonseca, an extensive renovation poises the property to become one of Rome’s most coveted addresses.

The hotel’s 93 rooms and suites, including four signature suites with unparalleled views of the Pantheon, showcase a refined mix of Art Deco influences and contemporary elegance. Culinary excellence is at the heart of La Minerva, with Voliera, a rooftop restaurant and bar, serving Mediterranean against a breathtaking cityscape. Meanwhile, La Minerva Bar, under the historic skylight, pays homage to the Roman goddess of wisdom and craftsmanship.

A destination for both travelers and Romans alike, the hotel will also feature a spa inspired by Ottoman bathing rituals, sophisticated event spaces, and a grand ballroom adorned with Murano chandeliers and sculptures by Rinaldo Rinaldi. The hotel marks the epic return of Orient Express to premier travel with a sister property opening in Venice.

Hotel Eden, a distinguished member of Dorchester Collection, has long stood as a beacon of luxury in Rome. Originally opened in 1889, the hotel underwent a significant restoration from 2015 to 2017. This extensive update reduced the number of rooms to 98, allowing for more spacious accommodations, including the addition of four new signature suites. The redesign incorporates modern features in classic Roman charm with Italian-designed furniture, Rubelli curtains and hand-blown Murano glass light fixtures.

Embracing the demand for experiential stays in luxury travel, Hotel Eden introduced the Collector’s Home installation in October 2024. In collaboration with MOD Creative Group and Roman art galleries ADA and Matèria, the Dolce Vita suite and intimate lobby lounge bar La Libreria transformed into immersive art spaces, showcasing contemporary artwork, design objects and literature, highlighting the hotel’s commitment to cultural engagement. On the rooftop, Michelin-recognized La Terrazza is a fine-dining experience with spectacular views day and night, and is also the setting for one of the city’s most beautiful breakfasts.

Few things are more luxurious than exclusivity, the hallmark of Hotel De’ Ricci. Offering an experience more akin to a private residence than a traditional hotel, this eight-room boutique is easily turned into a private Roman retreat with a buyout. Designed for sophisticated travelers, it’s a favorite among wine connoisseurs and cigar aficionados thanks to its exquisite collection of exceptional vintages and its semi-hidden Cuban cigar lounge tucked behind the bar.

Located in the historic Rione Regola neighborhood favored by savvy travelers, Hotel De’ Ricci sits at the heart of a rising luxury enclave. The surrounding area is packed with boutique shops, wine bars and tucked-away eateries for a refined yet authentic Roman experience. This is also a perfect base for a chic add-on of a couple nights when flying in or out of Rome.

A stunning addition to Rome’s luxury scene, Palazzo Ripetta opened in December 2022, bringing a family-owned, Relais & Châteaux experience to the heart of the city. Run by a third-generation Roman family, the hotel’s personalized service and intimate ambiance set it apart from corporate brands as one of the only 5-star accommodations in the city that’s independently owned.

The hotel’s design fuses classic Roman architecture with striking color pops of modern design, and rooms and suites are designed to appeal to a range of contemporary travelers. Among the standouts are the family wings, which comprise four private accommodations behind a secondary door that separates the entire wing, and in-room sauna suites elevate wellness to a new level of access and privacy.

Luxury travel isn’t just about where you stay; it’s also about what you experience, and how. Today, bespoke, insider access is the standard of high-end travel, and two standout providers are leading the charge of curating experiences that go beyond the obvious in Rome and beyond.

Access Italy specializes in V.I.P. tours and tailored experiences that open doors to chic experiences your way. Whether it’s a private visit to the Vatican Museums before sunrise, culinary lessons from chefs of Michelin-starred kitchens, or a vintage car tour of Rome by night, offerings cater to those who want to experience the city in the most exclusive and intimate way possible.

Founded by art historians, Imago Artis Travel takes a similar approach to haute travel, offering a unique emphasis on Italy’s art heritage for those interested. Through an elite network of partners including aristocratic families, museum curators and public figures, Imago Artis secures entry to noble palaces, hidden masterpieces, and invitation-only events and experiences, all with an emphasis on storytelling, emotion and deep immersion.