Few cities rival Rome’s rich history, with its remarkable ruins and ancient landmarks, not to mention its five-star hospitality. The newly opened Romeo Hotel Roma designed by Zaha Hadid is one of the most buzzed about openings in the Eternal City, weaving threads of Roman classicism with a bold architectural flair for the future.

Since debuting this winter in the historic Palazzo Capponi, the hotel, located near the Piazza del Popolo, has been redefining elegance and avant-garde extravagance in the Italian capital.

“The greatest satisfaction has been transforming a palace from the 1590s into an icon of contemporary hospitality without betraying its identity,” says Ivan Russo, project manager for the architecture firm, who oversaw the nearly decade-long project. “We worked with a bespoke approach, respecting the history of the building while introducing modern, fluid architectural solutions.”

This is the second hotel under the Italian-led Romeo Collection and one of the last assignments initiated by the British Iraqi architect before her passing. In keeping with Hadid’s boundary-breaking vision and propensity for smooth, organic lines and undulating surfaces, the structure evokes the fluidity of running water. Throughout the public spaces and the 74 guest rooms and suites, the finishes are both luxe and dramatic, featuring polished Carrara and Nero Marquina marble, and glossy ebony panels that cling to the site’s curving contours like skin.

“Unlike other luxury hotels, we didn’t just restore a historic building; we reinterpreted its architectural language, creating a balance between the past and the future,” Russo says. “This city is all about layers, and our design reflects that complexity.”

Visitors can feast their eyes across the sumptuous grounds, from the sunlit lobby with its retractable glass roof to the magnificent glass-bottomed swimming pool that reveals the archaeological ruins of the ancient Port of Ripetta.

A large selection of art installations is also on view throughout the urban resort, ranging from immaculately restored 17th-century frescoes to contemporary works by the likes of Christian Leperino, Mario Schifano, Mimmo Paladino, and Francesco Clemente from the private collection of Alfredo Romeo, owner of the Romeo Collection. Most notable is a historic marble head of Livia Drusilla, the wife of Emperor Augustus, that was unearthed during excavations.

Photo by Chris Dalton

Photo by Chris Dalton

Elsewhere, guests can experience a range of amenities, be it a handsome cigar room wrapped in Macassar ebony veneer or a convenient playroom for the hotel’s youngest guests. Every room, regardless of its size or function, was designed with a commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, reflected in the use of natural materials, energy-efficient systems, and waste reduction initiatives. Patrons interested in relaxation and wellness won’t be disappointed at the 13,000-square-foot La Spa Sisley Paris. There, innovative and sustainable materials were employed to purify the air, demonstrating how design can be beautiful, functional, and eco-conscious all at once. The facilities include a halotherapy room, gravitational tub, infrared sauna, and hammam, plus a well-equipped Technogym.

As dusk descends over the rooftops of Rome, there is arguably no better place to watch the day fade than the hotel’s champagne rooftop bar, La Terrazza Krug, followed by dinner at Il Ristorante Alain Ducasse Roma. The Romeo Collection partnered with Ducasse Paris to bring the first-ever Alain Ducasse restaurant to Italy’s capital city, and the striking, futuristic interiors and haute cuisine do not disappoint.

From top to bottom, the Romeo Roma masterfully blends art, history, and design while bringing a new echelon of elegance and interest to the Eternal City. “Every corner of Romeo Roma tells a story,” Russo says. “The result is a space that is not just a luxury hotel, but a habitable work of art.”

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