Positioned on Rome's Via del Babuino between the famed Piazza di Spagna and Piazza del Popolo is the one-of-a-kind Hotel de Russie, part of the Rocco Forte Hotels group. A combination of neoclassical and contemporary style, the entire hotel is a scene of painterly quality. In fact, even Pablo Picasso stayed on the premises in 1917, alongside French poet Jean Cocteau, who described the hotel as an “earthly paradise.”
Words by Sandy Aziz.
It is a sunny Sunday in early April when we arrive at the airy and eclectic reception that offers a glimpse of the dazzling sun-baked courtyard. We observe the salon of green pastel tones complementing the various colourful fruit-shaped vases with fresh plants and flowers.
From the moment we enter our Superior Suite, we are in awe of its spaciousness. It simultaneously radiates luxury and comfort with its Carrara marble, botanical wallpaper and timeless handwoven tapestries. In the living area, we discover fresh flowers, a fresh fruit plate, an assortment of Italian biscotti and a personalized handwritten welcome note. Stepping through the balcony door, we find ourselves in a narrow brick-floored private terrace, where we are privy to views of faintly coral-coloured terracotta buildings with pastel steel blue shutters. For a few minutes we pause in the stillness, enjoying the sounds of birds chirping overhead and the view of the typical Roman rooftops, all while breathing in the rejuvenating fresh air. In addition to its impressive 120 rooms, we learn that the hotel is launching the world’s first ‘Fairytale Suite by Hamleys,’ in collaboration with the renowned British toy retailer, featuring crimson curtains, golden walls and 30 teddy bears, the official Hamleys mascot. It is proof that even a classic and luxurious place can cater to and enchant its younger guests in an innovative way.
Lunch in the romantic, open-air restaurant Le Jardin de Russie feels like a daydream and, naturally, it happens to be one of the most exclusive hotspots in the Eternal City. Lined with citrus trees, the round tables adorned with white cloths are dotted beneath a floor-to-ceiling, pentagon-shaped glass cover, offering a charming view of the garden. We adopt the “When in Rome” mindset and savour our mouthwatering ‘cacio e pepe’ ravioli and traditional Italian tiramisu, created by Chef Fulvio Pierangelini, Rocco Forte Hotels’ Food Director, and prepared by Executive Chef Alessandro Buffolino. Lucky for us, breakfast the subsequent morning introduced yet another breathtaking view: the interior of Le Jardin restaurant, featuring a cascading chandelier and walls hand-painted by Italian artist Gio Bressana.
At night, we visit the unconventional Stravinskij Bar which is in a league of its own, attracting both locals and international visitors. Already remarkable enough, we find out about its stylish upgrade designed by the renowned designer Paolo Moschino and its latest collaboration with legendary mixologist Maestro Salvatore Calabrese. Perhaps Cocteau said it best, Hotel de Russie is truly an “earthly paradise,” to which we would add: timeless, captivating and evocative.
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