Background
The historic Hotel Eden first opened in 1889. It was originally a series of residential apartments before being transformed into a luxury hotel – interestingly the first in the city to include a lift, electricity, heating and running water.
The hotel joined the Dorchester Collection in 2013 and underwent a refurbishment in 2017, which saw its 121 rooms reduced to 98 more spacious accommodations, along with the incorporation of more contemporary features into the classical design.
Where is it?
The six-storey building is located on the corner of Via Ludovisi and Via di Porta Pinciana, neighbouring the beautiful Villa Borghese gardens and a ten-minute walk to the Spanish Steps. You can easily walk into the city centre within 20 minutes.
What's it like?
The beaming ochre building resembles a Roman residence, while floor-to-ceiling windows on the sixth floor offer a modern touch to the facade. The majestic entrance is flanked by well-dressed doormen and features a reception and concierge on either side.
At the heart of the lobby is La Libreria, a sophisticated gold-hued sitting room with books from as early as 1899 lining the shelves, a clandestine bar cabinet teeming with rare bottles and crystalware, a grand piano and delicate lampshades featuring illustrations by fashion illustrator Andrea Ferolla.
Guests gather here during the day to catch up over a coffee or, in our case, learn how to make the perfect spritz after a day wandering the streets of Rome. It’s also a hub of activity for special occasions – the hotel has hosted movie nights and exhibitions here in the past. A mezzanine overlooks this space with additional and more private seating space.
The property also has a staircase of fame which connects the fifth and sixth floors, clad in signed portraits of stars such as Marlon Brando, Leonardo DiCaprio and Penelope Cruz who have frequented the hotel.
Rooms
The hotel offers 68 rooms and 30 suites, ranging from 28-100 sqm. This includes the Bellavista Penthouse Suite with wraparound floor-to-ceiling windows, a pond-sized bathtub and a telescope to see the sights from afar.
Rooms either look onto a beautiful internal courtyard blooming with flowers or include a beautiful Juliet balcony overlooking Rome’s rooftops and landmarks including St Peter’s Basilica, with sheer blinds and heavy curtains for privacy at night.
All rooms include towering ceilings, a colour palette that evokes golden hour and a king bed that you melt into. Mirrored wardrobes jazz up the room, with the lining featuring Roman mythology-style prints, and Murano glass touches.
The spacious marble-clad bathroom includes a tub to soak in after a day of exploring, but the rain shower in its own cubicle is even more inviting, with a robe hung at the end of the cubicle so you can exit feeling plush already.
Some luxury properties forget the importance of work areas within guest rooms, but Hotel Eden accommodates this without detracting from the luxe design. My Junior Suite (47-60 sqm) had a large desk with several plug sockets and a drawer filled with stationary. The renovation has also seen the addition of high-tech features such as a Chromecast-enabled Bang & Olufsen TV, a Beoplay 1 Speaker with Bluetooth, bedside USB and plug sockets and a master light switch panel.
Further amenities include a laptop-sized safe, Nespresso coffee machine, complimentary water in plastic-free bottles, a glasses cloth (a lovely touch for a four-eyes like myself) and cloches of cherry-coated chocolates.
Food and drink
The hotel’s sixth floor is home to two Italian restaurants. Il Giardino is a light-filled indoor-outdoor venue, which offers all-day dining and a small buffet breakfast of pastries, fruits and yoghurts, plus you can order eggs of various kinds.
The all-day menu offers freshly cooked pasta and pizza, but also fish and meat dishes. I chose a window-facing table to pair exquisite views with indulgent stuffed courgette flowers (€32) and the turmeric take on a cacio e pepe (€35). The adjacent bar offers signature cocktails, such as the mezcal and vermouth combination La Grande Bellezza.
La Terrazza takes dining up a notch from Tuesday to Saturday, serving Michelin-starred tasting dinners in a darker and more romantic space amid panoramic views of the city.
Meetings
There are two event spaces – the bold red Sala Borghese at 98 sqm and more classic Sala Ludovisi boardroom at 37 sqm.
Leisure
The hotel has a subterranean spa, with treatments from Swiss brand Valmont. The 120-minute La Grande Bellezza treatment includes a full body exfoliation, massage and pampering facial. There is also a gym with Technogym equipment.
Verdict
Hotel Eden provides classical stays with a residential touch in a peaceful neighbourhood, within walking distance of the sights but offering an oasis from the crowds.
FACT BOX
- Best for feeling grand yet homely in the Eternal City
- Don’t miss cocktails and fascinating tales from bartenders Stefano and Dmitri
- Price internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in February start from €1,380 for a Classic Room
- Contact Via Ludovisi 49, 00187 Rome; +39 06 478121; dorchestercollection.com
