Campo Marzio

This sweet little spot near the Borghese gardens has great, fresh vegetable dishes and a perfect, concise wine list, so it's easy to tuck into before an afternoon tour.

In a city filled with good restaurants, we’ve been told on good authority that ReCafé serves the best pizza in Rome.

Napoleon himself lived in these suites at the Palazzo Ruspoli in 1830, and as you would expect there’s nothing understated about this space. Walk up an antique bust lined stairway to the apartment entrance and pick from two guestroom options, the larger Napoleon Suite or the Garden Suite. It’s a tough call but the Garden Suite does have the advantage of a lavender scented roof garden and panoramic views of the whole city. The Napoleon Suite has three large rooms filled with antiques, floor-to-ceiling original XVI tapestries, hand-stenciled walls…the list goes on. If you’re looking for a completely private, historical and glamorous spot to stay in Rome, this is it. Added bonus: all the products used down to the detergent are organic and non-toxic.

The former pied-a-terre of the much-lauded German statesman Goethe, this is hands down one of the most special places to stay in Rome.

The bar at the retro Hotel Locarno is permanently packed with Rome’s most fashion-forward crew.

Walking into the lobby sort of sets the tone for the experience here with Campana Brothers sofas, vintage Fritz Hansen chairs, Gio Ponti mirrors, a wall lined with art books, and Lindsey Adelman light fixtures—it’s all very aligned with the luxury-first approach of the Italian fashion house. (It also happens to sit atop the newly redesigned Fendi flagship store in the Tridente neighborhood.) The seven pied-à-terre style apartments maintain a modern, high-design bent—grey paneled walls, sharp Fendi Casa furniture, jewel-toned velvet chairs—and the staff operates with an anything-is-possible attitude. For breakfast, opt for pastries and coffee served in bed.

With the unerring oversight of architect Antonio Girardi comes the revamp of Palazzo Dama, former residence and now a small B&B, just a quick walk from Piazza del Polopo.

Portrait Roma, the Ferragamo family’s first foray into hotels in Rome is an intimate fourteen-room property that feels like you’re staying at a friend’s sleek apartment. The entrance is discreet, located just next to the Salvatore Ferragamo boutique on Via Condotti. The rooms have an air of formality to them—blond hardwood floors, heavy tapestries, and proper walk-in closet and dressing area. The staff is never without an iPad at the ready, so they're super attentive to requests, which makes just about everything a total breeze. The roof terrace’s views stretch as far as the Villa Medici and the Vatican City—it's the kind of spot you’ll want to make yourself comfortable, with an aperol spritz in hand, and just soak it all in. A note: There’s no restaurant on the property—breakfast is served daily in your room or on the roof terrace, but head out for lunch and dinner.

Often referred to as one of the best places to stay in Rome, Hotel de Russie on Via del Babuino is smack-dab in the center of the city, amidst a maze of cobblestoned streets. Marked by a blush façade and pale blue shutters, the hotel, a 19th-century palazzo, feels like a little Mediterranean enclave in the center. The rooms—and on-point service—are what Hotel de Russie is known for. Perhaps the most exciting, if your pockets are deep enough, are the newly redecorated suites: The Picasso Suite, a tribute to the artist who stayed there for a few months in 1917, features a dining room, Italian marble bath, and private terrace overlooking the garden. The significantly larger Popolo Suite is a wonderful mix of European antiques and more modern design, and includes pieces done up in Italian velvets, custom rugs, and black-and-white photography of Roman monuments lining the walls. A recently updated spa includes Turkish baths, plus on-demand personal trainers. And with the faint scent of orange blossom lingering in the background, drinks in the courtyard garden of Le Jardin de Russie restaurant is as magical as everyone says.

A one-stop shop for all things fashion and design (look for unique mid-century furniture, textiles, and lighting), plus flowers, candles, and home fragrance. If you want to linger, don’t miss the small tea house and oyster bar in the back. There’s a second outpost in Milan.