The most glamorous hotel in Rome

Audrey Hepburn summed it up perfectly when she squealed with delight on the back of Gregory Peck’s vespa in Roman Holiday. Rome holds a special place in many people’s hearts, and a visit to this ancient city is something to get excited about.

If it’s your first time in Rome, you’ll probably want to stay right in the thick of the action, close to all the tourist hotspots. But for anyone more familiar with the city, there is a distinct pleasure in steering clear of the busiest parts of the city and staying in a hotel based in an area with a truly local vibe, such as The Hoxton.

Located in the quiet Salaria district in the north of Rome, it’s not exactly around the corner from the main attractions, being a 20-minute taxi ride to the main sites such as the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, and 30 minutes to Vatican City. But the distance from these touristy areas is exactly what makes this elegant neighbourhood feel so charming.

The glamorous bar area at The Hoxton in Rome. (Photo: Supplied)

Salaria has wide avenues and grand buildings that are a far cry from the cramped cobblestoned streets found in the more touristy parts of Rome. It is surrounded by leafy parks and gardens, and has plenty of restaurants filled with well-to-do Romans eating carbonara, talking loudly and having a wonderful time in that energetic way that people do in this city.

This same vibe can be felt at The Hoxton, where the décor is mid-century retro with a clean modern finish and just a hint of Italian style. Warm, comfortable and chic, all at once.

From the moment you step into the buzzy foyer, filled with people working on laptops or sipping cocktails, you immediately feel part of the action. The bar is the first thing you see and you have to search a bit to find the reception desk further back on the ground floor, down behind the lifts. This is entirely intentional, as The Hoxton has been designed to present more like a cool club than a hotel.

The rooms are cleverly designed with a strong emphasis on comfort. The plush bed and down pillows guarantee a sweet night of sleep, but it’s the thoughtful décor that really make it feel more inviting than your average soulless hotel room. There are vintage finishes throughout and the standout features include a functioning retro-looking radio and a selection of curated art books.

Don’t miss brunch at The Hoxton in Rome. (Photo: Supplied)

Unfortunately the rooms are not particularly large (unless you treat yourself to one of their ‘Biggy’ rooms that comes with a terrace) so you’ll probably want to spend some of your down time relaxing in the foyer. But this is no problem because the vast foyer area actually feels like a series of little living rooms where drinks and food are served all day long, and it’s easy to find a private corner.

They do a fantastic morning cappuccino with crunchy pastries on the side (the chocolate-filled cornetto is particularly good) and for lunch there are simple salads and toasted flatbread sandwiches called piadina to keep you going. They also serve some great juices and smoothies all day long, with the carrot, beetroot, apple and ginger a standout.

Later in the day you can settle into one of the many sofas and order yourself a cocktail. They have a menu dedicated to spritzes (the Gentian Spritz with elderflower and passionfruit notes is particularly good) and all drinks during ‘Aperitivo hour’ come with a complimentary plate of tiny snacks (such as bite-sized pizza) made from ingredients taken from the breakfast and lunch services.

For a more substantial meal, book a table at the hotel’s main restaurant Beverly. The interior blends mid-century Italian design with the building’s 1970s architecture, with lots of wood panelling, pale green leather banquette seating and vintage table lamps. It’s flashy and comfortable all at once, and sitting at one of these tables you’ll feel like a character from the early years of The House of Gucci.

The blissful bedding at The Hoxton, Rome guarantees a good night’s sleep. (Photo: Supplied)

But don’t expect classic Roman-Italian food to match the surroundings. Instead, the food takes its inspiration from the sunny shores of California with just a casual nod to the local cuisine. Think superfood salads, cacio e pepe tater tots, a BBQ platter and classic cheesecake for dessert. It might sound all wrong for Rome, and in other hands it might well be – but chef Sara Levi makes it work, and the dishes are bright and full of flavour.

When you’re ready to head out, just a short stroll away from the hotel is the Villa Borghese gardens. This stunning park is a favourite with the Romans and filled with families and sun worshippers and dog walkers every day of the week, but especially on weekends. Then head a little further and the rest of Rome is waiting for you, ready to be explored.

Visit the website for The Hoxton, Rome here.