A visit to Rome is always a good idea. And if you’re looking for somewhere special to lay your head, then we have the place for you. Located next to the famed Borghese Gardens in a restored Palazzo, Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese adds a touch of French je ne sais quoi to a historic Italian delight.

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own

Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese review

Setting the scene

There is nothing I enjoy more than a thoughtfully restored heritage building that has been given new life as a hotel. If you feel the same, then Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese won’t disappoint. Once a 19th-century Roman Palazzo, the property is home to 72 elegant rooms and suites and its exquisite location makes the perfect landing pad for those looking to immerse themselves in all the Italian capital has to offer.

Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese entrance of the hotel
The elegant restored Palazzo facade

The neighbouring Villa Borghese has been an icon of the city since it was created in the 17th century. Originally a vineyard, the family chose to create an English landscape garden, which was practically unheard of at the time. The result is a space filled with colourful flowers and a selection of perfectly pruned trees that can be enjoyed from a number of spaces in the hotel.

Of course, as a French brand, the property carries a number of nods to its roots, including interiors by Parisian studio Jean-Philippe Nuel, pops of contemporary French art de vivre, and French delights across the F&B touch points.

The room

Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese luxury corner room
Our luxury corner room looked right out onto the beautiful gardens below

We stayed in a Corner Luxury Room which gave us stunning views of both the verdant Villa Borghese and the stylish surrounding streets. Decked out in crisp white, the space lets the views do the talking but has subtle pulls of focus, including a fresco on the ceiling in homage to the incredible works you’ll see everywhere in the city from churches to museums.

The double shower was a treat and included amenities from Diptyque, as is typical of the French hotel brand. A mix of USB and power outlets meant that we could keep everything charged easily, while Illy coffee was on hand for personal batteries. The TV streaming was a breeze, so we could keep up with our shows from bed.

And what a bed! After walking 15,000+ steps per day exploring everything that Rome has to offer, a good night’s sleep is a must. Thankfully, the Sofitel MyBed was like sleeping on a pillowy cloud of cotton candy.

Food and drink

The feather in the cap of this property is Settimo, a restaurant beloved by both locals and guests alike, so be sure to book in advance. Helmed by Executive Chef Giuseppe D’Alessio, expect seasonal menus that span classic Roman dishes to innovative flavour pairings. When we visited, we sampled sumptuous Spaghetti Carbonara with a touch of truffle, pan-fried octopus, and scallops with cabbage and licorice gel, which was one of the best dishes I sampled during our weeks across Italy.

The space is transformed in the mornings when it becomes the place for a breakfast spread of epic proportions. You’ll want for nothing here, so expect fantastic cheeses (both French and Italian), lashings of fresh fruit, and eggs cooked to order however you like. Get there early to nab a table on the terrace, where you can enjoy the views across the city inclusive of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Top tip: if, like us, you want to learn more about the national dish, why not try this Rome Pasta Making Class with Devour Tours.

The location

The location of the property can’t be beat as it’s positioned within walking distance of highlights including The Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. Surrounded by some of the city’s chicest restaurants and shops (be sure to visit Helèn Profumerie, a beautifully curated space filled with unique perfumes, including some Roman brands that are exclusive to the shop), Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese is a wonderful choice for anyone staying in the Eternal City.

The verdict

I do also need to shout about the service. For the team at Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese, nothing is too much. They anticipated things that we didn’t even know that we needed and were the very epitome of excellent hospitality.

A stay here is as divine as the city it calls home.

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