Review of Hotel Lord Byron, by Jeroen Bergmans

Smart, intimate and immaculate, the Hotel Lord Byron is an art deco luxury hotel in Rome where Hercule Poirot would have felt right at home as it epitomises the glamour of a bygone age. Nestled amongst the private mansions of Parioli on the edges of Rome's Borghese Gardens, it counts the Belgian ambassador and former president Prodi as neighbours.

Peaceful and private but only a short stroll from Piazza di Spagna, this lavish and elegant luxury hotel attracts honeymooners in search of the romance of La Dolce Vita and politicians who expect excellent service and absolute discretion. As the owner of the luxury hotel, Mr Ottoviani, was president of Rome's tourist board for seven years, the Hotel Lord Byron has all three in spades.

The facilities

The Hotel Lord Byron's stylish lobby sets the tone for this exclusive luxury hotel. Guests can settle down on elegant sofas and peruse silver-framed photos and coffee-table tomes whilst waiting for a taxi to whisk them into town.

Downstairs the luxury hotel's restaurant Sapori and lounge-bar Il Salotto are smart and sophisticated with marble pillars, skylights and full-length original portraits of female artists. Both are frequented by Rome's power-brokers who dine on traditional, regional dishes and sample fine Italian wines. A piano player tinkles the ivories from 7.30 p.m., adding to the atmosphere of old-school glamour.

The rooms

The Hotel Lord Byron's 32 rooms and suites continue the luxury hotel's Art Deco theme. Spacious and spotless, they have generous wardrobe space, large marble bathrooms and retro walnut cabinetry.

All the luxury hotel's suites have Queen-sized beds. The largest is the Penthouse Suite which has a huge, wrap-around terrace with views of the Borghese Gardens and the mountains beyond Rome. The Garden Suite is the most private as it is located in its own, separate house.