Hotel Eden – Hotel Review

Rome’s Hotel Eden is an institution. Its reputation for unrivalled luxury continues with an indulgent spa, the city’s first blow dry bar, and the Michelin-starred La Terrazza, a sensational restaurant perched on the hotel’s rooftop with sweeping views of the historical centre. Celebrities may be common here but you’ll barely notice them as you watch an incredible sunset from the top floor. Read on for the full review. 

Where is Hotel Eden?

Along Via Ludovisi on a hill in central Rome, the hotel’s about a 35-minute drive from Rome-Fiumicino International Airport, travelling mostly along the Autostrada A91 motorway. The hotel also offers airport transfers in a Mercedes E-Class from €99 one way.

What’s near Hotel Eden?

Some of Rome’s most famous sights are mere steps away. The Spanish Steps are about a nine-minute walk (600 metres). The Trevi Fountain is an 11-minute walk (800 metres). The Colosseum can be reached in about a half hour on foot (2.2km). Luxury shops are close by on Via Condotti, like Hermès, Jimmy Choo and Tiffany & Co. You can also pop into Caffé Greco, Rome’s most famous café.

Room types

The 98 large rooms and suites feature high ceilings, large windows framed by curtains from Venetian textile firm Rubelli, watercolour paintings on walls (different in each room), marble bathrooms with Bottega Veneta toiletries and big, comfortable beds from luxury bedmaker Vispring. Director of communications Fabiola Balduzzi explains having Italian furniture in the rooms is important to highlight the hotel’s Italian roots. She says the rooms are also designed to capture the light of Rome and to equally relax and excite visitors. “The atmosphere is very important.”

Restaurants and bars

The main restaurants are Il Giardino and La Terrazza – the latter has a coveted Michelin star. They’re both led by Fabio Ciervo, a top chef (and former gymnast with a Masters in nutrition). Both serve Italian cuisine and have incredible panoramic views of Rome; hence why celebrities are frequent diners and reservations are recommended. Our pick? Stuffed zucchini with ricotta and taleggio, an appetiser that’s been on the menu since 1994. Follow it with classic dishes of spaghetti with pecorino, parmesan and Malaysian black pepper, paired with a glass of Ca’ Del Bosco, a chardonnay from Italy’s Lombardy region.

Travel for work

Hotel Eden has free wifi, a 24-hour business centre and a variety of salons and meeting rooms – the smallest is just 21 square metres and can accommodate eight people, while the largest can host more than 100.

Spa and pool

The spa – open daily from 10am to 8pm – has indulgent treatments from facials and massages, as well as waxing and nail care. Hotel Eden also has Rome’s first blow dry bar, headed by celebrity hairstylist Robert D’Antonio. The hotel itself doesn’t have a pool, but guests can access the pool at the exclusive Roma Polo Club, about 20 minutes north of the hotel by car.

What you need to know

The hotel offers several exclusive bespoke experiences, from private after-hours catacombs tours (€1,500) to yacht trips (€9,850 per night) and even a behind-the-scenes visit to high fashion atelier André Lang hosted by Countess Laura della Croce (€550).

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