Hotel Eden: A Luxury Stay In The Heart Of Rome

Several major new luxury hotels have recently opened in Rome, just as they have in London. And although they may boast swish rooms, celebrity chefs and sparkling spas, they all lack one crucial thing: history. Sure, some of them might be in historically important buildings, but you know that no significant figures stayed there, no important decisions were made there, and no legendary romances played out within their walls.

Heritage and tradition matter when we check in: it makes us feel, even in a small way, a part of history. And, as with Claridge’s and the Savoy in London, Hotel Eden, opened in 1889, is one of the handful of classic hotels in Rome with a storied past and a guest book to die for, including royalty, world leaders and movie stars from Ingrid Bergman to Leonardo DiCaprio and regular Anthony Hopkins.

Hotel Review: Hotel Eden, Rome

Stay

Hotel Eden, part of the Dorchester Collection since 2013, is in one of Rome’s most fashionable areas – right by the Borghese gardens and the fabled via Veneto. Though it only has 98 rooms and suites, there are 200 staff on hand: a fact that means the service levels are top notch.

And so are the rooms, redesigned by the team of Bruno Moinard and Claire Betaille eight years ago. High ceilinged, with plenty of light, they’re instantly soothing, decorated in white and pale colours. Furniture is mostly modern but chosen to achieve a timeless, classic feel, helped by appealing ornaments scattered around.

No expense seems spared, with thoughtful touches and high quality finishes. Just some examples: wardrobes are mirrored, the interiors lined with silk; tissue boxes on the bedside tables (where you will find USB cables) are black leather and TVs are Bang & Olufsen.

The gleaming bathrooms, it goes without saying, are marble, with huge mats and Wildsmith toiletries; and even those in entry level rooms are sizeable, most with tubs and separate showers. Most rooms have a view, many looking over towards Rome’s sights. Even better, those on the fifth floor have balconies; and if you splash out on the Aurora suite, you get a terrace. Whichever room you book, you can expect welcome gifts (maybe a bottle of wine) and evening treats (perhaps a plate of parmesan).

The feeling of quiet opulence extends to public areas, whether it’s the lobby (elegant and stylish without being grand or overpowering) or even the lifts, decked out as they are with marble floors and frescoes on the walls. Service is swift and efficient, from staff who combine formality with friendliness.

Eat

Breakfast comes with a view of Rome at the rooftop Il Giardino, which also has a small terrace for an al fresco start to the day. Buffet choices are attractively displayed, extensive and of the highest quality, even including spring rolls and breaded prawns. Eggs are perfectly cooked to order.

The restaurant and bar then stay open for all-day dining, serving refined Italian dishes, including pizza. Go early evening for an aperitivo outside. 

Next door is the gastronomic and more formal La Terrazza, only open for dinner, where the views are even better. Here chef Salvatore Bianco, the hotel’s culinary supremo, who joined Hotel Eden in 2024, serves beautifully presented, precise dishes: essentially Italian, but creatively several cuts above, inspired by artists such as Salvador Dali. Bianco prides himself not only on the quality of the mostly locally sourced ingredients but also on using every part of them; he also specialises in low sugar desserts. There are two set menus to choose from, but you can also go a la carte. If you take a peek at the stairs leading to the restaurants, you’ll see a photo gallery of some of the celebrities who have stayed at Hotel Eden.

Just beyond the lobby is La Libreria, a calm, classically decorated lounge which is the perfect place to enjoy a coffee, a cocktail or a light meal (including tapas, sandwiches, pasta and pizza) when you return from a session of sightseeing. It’s open throughout the day from 9am to 9pm.

Do

Hotel Eden’s small spa, with three vaulted treatment rooms, was conceived by the leading design team of Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku (who were also responsible for the hotel’s restaurant décor) with tranquillity in mind,  to help you relax while you have signature Valmont treatments. Hair styling, pedicures and manicures are also on offer.

You can walk from Hotel Eden to many of Rome’s main sights, including the Borghese gardens next door and the magnificent Borghese gallery (note you have to book in advance), the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, the Piazza Navona (don’t miss the church of St Luigi dei Francesci nearby – with three Caravaggios together in a side chapel) and the Trevi fountain. It’s also walking distance to Rome’s main street, the Via Corso. For attractions further away, the hotel is a short walk from the Barberini metro station (easily the best option as Rome’s traffic is notoriously bad and taxis pretty hard to find), close to the Palazzo Barberini, one of the city’s main museums. 

Many of the movie stars who stay at the Eden use the hotel as a base while filming at Rome’s legendary Cinecittà studios, once known as Hollywood on the Tiber – where many major movies and TV series are made. But few visitors to Rome realise that you can actually visit. And it couldn’t be easier to get from Barberini metro station to Cinecittà – though you will need to book a tour – as The Cinecittà metro station is directly outside the studio complex. You’ll find a fascinating permanent exhibition, with famous costumes, film clips and several interactive displays (which kids might enjoy), as well as special tributes to directors such as Fellini. The site also houses MIAC, the Italian museum of the moving image. And you’ll find a good café. When booking make sure you don’t confuse the studios with the theme park, Cinecitta World. 

Ask Hotel Eden’s reliable and highly efficient concierge team for the hotel’s own curated tours of Hidden Rome and a culinary boat tour with the chef, as well as other exclusive experiences.  It’s also well worth booking a tour, with helpful and well-informed guides, through specialist Tourist Italy to avoid queuing at such teeming sights as the Vatican and the Colosseum. The company organises a very wide range of reasonably priced visits to several attractions and districts of Rome (such as trendy Trastevere) as well as excursions outside the city. Tourist Italy also organises tempting food tours, wine tastings and cookery classes. 

The Final Word

Hotel Eden is one of Rome’s most famous hotels and the first choice for so many celebrities because of its superb service, unbeatable levels of comfort, excellent food and classic charm. It offers elegance and glamour and, despite its fame, it’s constantly improving when it could easily rest on its laurels. 

Book

Double rooms with breakfast at the Hotel Eden start from £687 per night at dorchestercollection.com