"Rocco Forte's typically discreet designer style makes this luxury hotel a firm favourite in Rome."
When Jean Cocteau wrote a letter home from Rome in 1917 he described the Hotel de Russie as heaven on earth as he could pick oranges from the trees in the beautiful garden from the balcony of his room. Almost a century on, some things haven't changed and the Hotel de Russie is still the best luxury hotel in Rome. The Secret Garden just below the elegant Borghese Gardens is still a small corner of paradise. Rome's beau monde flock here for lunch alfresco or pre-dinner aperitivi and it even attracts hundreds of rare butterflies protected by the World Wildlife Fund. The Hotel de Russie's glamorous guest-list, which used to consist of wealthy White Russians (hence the name), Picasso and Diaghilev now includes Middle Eastern sheiks and a roll-call of Hollywood megastars including Madonna, George Clooney, Donatella Versace, Robert de Niro, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cameron Diaz, Brad Pitt, Pedro Almodovar and Monica Bellucci.
What has changed, and what keeps the Hotel de Russie packed full of the famous and fabulously wealthy almost year-round, is the sharp and friendly staff appointed by current owner Rocco Forte.
The rooms
The Hotel de Russie's contemporary classic interiors courtesy of designer Tommaso Ziffer extend to the rooms. Paintings and sculpture by 20th century Italian masters and a palette of off-whites and earth tones give the hotel a smart, modern Mediterranean feel. Mapplethorpe prints, mosaiced marble bathrooms and Brancusi-style tables are standard in all the rooms and the exquisite new Nijinsky Suite with its expansive terrace is one of the most beautiful in Rome.
The facilities
Constant innovation also ensures that the Hotel de Russie remains one of the best hotels in Rome. The terrace of the Secret Garden has just opened The Mint Bar which serves fresh cocktails in the spring and summer months. Hot on the heels of the huge success of the buffet lunch served from 12.30 till 3 p.m. daily from the Stravinsky Bar (also known as the Bond Bar), a new Sunday lunch has been introduced with a menu of traditional Italian home cooking including lasagna and roast chicken. The new Wines of the Stars wine-list offers star-struck guests the chance to savour wines produced from vineyards owned by Francis Ford Coppola, Gerard Depardieu, Bob Dylan and Madonna. And the expansive de Russie Wellness Zone which opened in September 2006 has just introduced four-hand massage and an orange blossom-scented aromatic wrap, massage and facial.
Address: Via del Babuino 9, Rome 00187, Italy
Booking info
Departure: Fri 22 Aug 2008
No. adults: 2
Check Availability
Who stays here
A roll-call to top Hollywood stars including Tom Cruise, Steven Spielberg, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Catherine Zeta Jones and Matt Damon.
Come for
- Secret terraced garden
- Faultlessly fashionable clientele
- The comprehensive Children's Programme
Not suitable for
- Shallow pockets
Awards
Conde Nast Traveller Gold List 06; "Best Hotel Bar in Europe" Prix Villegiature 06; "Best Hotel in Europe" Prix Villegiature 03; Conde Nast Traveller Hot List 02;
Children
Children are well taken care of at Hotel de Russie. There are separate bath amenities and menus for children, and they will be welcomed with a gift. Baby cots can be arranged free and extra beds at a charge. Babysitting services are available for a fee upon request.
Eating in
Le Jardin de Russie is one of Rome's top see-and-be-seen dining venues thanks to its setting in stunning formal gardens just below the Villa Borghese. Chef Nazzareno Menghini serves up a florid seasonal modern Mediterranean menu with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
