Hotel Splendide Royal ★★★★★L

Located just outside Rome’s stunning Villa Borghese gardens, and not far from the iconic Spanish Steps, sits the Hotel Splendid Royale. Housed in a former 19th-century Baroque palace, once the stronghold of the Maronite community, it’s certainly befitting for such a prominent and regal city location.

Walking inside you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into someone else’s life, perhaps one enjoyed by renowned actress Audrey Hepburn, who lived in the city for over 20 years. Don your oversized sunglasses and wide-brimmed hat and you’ll soon feel right at home.

White-gloved porters will greet you at the door and take your bags, leading you into a world of white marble, gold trimmings, graceful statues and colourful Murano glass chandeliers. The imperial elegance continues upstairs in your bedroom. Think rooms furnished in rich fabrics - regal reds and royal blues with bright yellow walls and subtle flashes of gold in the gilt-edged mirrors, light fittings and picture frames.

After relaxing in your own plush seating area and freshening up in the deluxe marble bathroom (with its own luxurious Jacuzzi), you’ll be ready to head out and explore. The best starting point is the beautiful Villa Borghese gardens, which you can even see from your own private terrace.

Dotted with elegant statues, graceful fountains and bright flowerbeds, the 17th-century sculpted gardens of the Vila Borghese are the perfect introduction to Rome, away from the somewhat chaotic city centre streets and into a world of refined Italian sophistication and art.
Make sure to stop at the Borghese Gallery to admire the magnificent collection, which includes pieces by Caravaggio and Canova.

Make your way through the gardens to the Piazza del Popolo, the landmark square by the city’s northern gate and then down the cobbled Via del Babuino, past glamorous boutiques to the famed Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps – the iconic baroque staircase and popular city meeting place. From here you’re in an ideal position to explore further sights such as the romantic Piazza Novana with its famous fountain and the historic church and tombs of the Pantheon.

After a busy day of sightseeing return to the Splendid Royale for dinner at the Restaurant Mirabelle, where famous Italian dishes are recreated by Chef Bruno Borghes. Located on the seventh floor of the hotel, it has large windows that open onto a breathtaking view of Umbertin style buildings, stretching all the way from the 19th-century palaces of Pinciano to the heart of the historic centre - the Villa Medici, the Spanish Steps and on to Saint Peter’s Cathedral. For starters try the crispy corn cannoli with courgette flowers, burrata cheese and Roman mint pesto, followed by homemade tortellini pasta filled with pumpkin and taleggio cheese fondue and flavoured with white truffles. And for dessert there’s of course delicious homemade gelato... Hey, ‘when in Rome’. After-dinner drinks can be enjoyed in the Mirabelle’s American Bar, also offering stunning views and seats either inside or outside on the romantic terrace.

Waking up after a restful sleep in your ‘princess-style’ bed, head up to the hotel’s La Limonaia Terrace, where a mouth-watering breakfast buffet awaits, with spectacular sunlit Roman vistas to match.

Before your Audrey Hepburn style ‘Roman holiday’ ends make sure you have time to visit the famed Trevi Fountain with its many sculptures. It is said that if you throw a coin into the fountain you’ll be sure to return to Rome again and perhaps even the Hotel Splendid Royale itself – a splendid place to stay indeed.