Rome is best in autumn, early spring, and from the terrace or garden of a charming boutique hotel with a story. The city is like an old movie you want to be part of, at least for a few days while you’re in the Eternal City. Here are a few places where we felt this way — and probably you will too: champagne, balconies, and views over Rome’s rooftops, the Colosseum, and all will wait. Take your time!
Hotel Locarno
Hotel Locarno is one of our favorite places to stay in Rome. Open since 1925, it has the feel of an old-world boutique hideaway, just steps from Piazza del Popolo. The hotel has always been a magnet for writers, filmmakers, and artists, and you can feel that creative, slightly cinematic atmosphere the moment you walk in.
The rooms are quiet and full of charm. If you can, book a corner room with a balcony — you’ll get views over the rooftops and plenty of light. Bathrooms are big, with freestanding tubs that look like something out of a film about an opera diva on tour, perfect for a soak with a glass of champagne.
Breakfast here is simple but very good, best enjoyed on the terrace or in the garden. The rooftop spaces are some of the loveliest in the city — especially at sunset when Rome turns golden. The bar is another highlight, a retro spot with a secret garden where evenings slip by easily.
You can (if you dare) even take home a pair of red velvet slippers embroidered in gold with the Locarno name — a small souvenir of dolce vita in Rome.
Singer Palace Hotel
- Rooms from $578 per night (Double Room)
- Book now
The five-star Singer Palace Hotel dates back to 1850 as the Roman headquarters of the Singer brand. In 2018, it opened its doors as a hotel, and Elite Traveler described it as a ‘priceless, treasure-trove cachet’. The boutique hotel is steps from the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain, and visitors soak in the city’s skyline from the restaurant and cocktail bar.
Twenty-nine rooms and suites welcome guests. A night here costs $578, but a suite, which starts at $1,314, offers a view overlooking the Via del Corso.
Singer Palace offers experiences to help you explore the capital to the fullest, like the early morning Archeo walk, an exclusive themed route with running or power walking sessions, before the rest of the city wakes up.
This hotel has three iconic rooftop spots: the Singer Salotto, Jim’s Rooftop Cocktail Bar, and Le Terrazze Restaurant. If you’re hungry after sightseeing and shopping, try dishes like carbonara for $37 at Le Terrazze. If you’ve already dined at one of the many places to eat in the city, Jim’s Bar may be better suited for a cocktail or two.
| Google Rating | 4.9/5.0 (680+ ratings) |
| Booking.com Rating | 9.5/10 (510+ ratings) |
| TripAdvisor Rating | 5.0/5.0 (1,280+ ratings) |
“Amazing attention to detail. Staff are amazing & the attention to small details is what sets them apart from the rest. Been to Rome a few times, will never stay anywhere else. Rooftop bar is also amazing!” Evelyn M, TripAdvisor
Palazzo Manfredi
- Rooms from $1,018 a night (Executive Room)
- Book now
Plenty of Palazzo hotels are dotted around Italy, each steeped in history and charm. However, few rival the setting of Palazzo Manfredi, which is built directly over Ludus Magnus, gazing onto the Colosseum, and its rooftop terrace offers a glorious vantage point.
Though not quite as ancient as the Colosseum, Palazzo Manfredi dates to the 17th century and has had a facelift over the years. Not only does the hotel receive consistent excellent reviews from visitors, but it’s also received recognition from prestigious publications, like Forbes Travel Guide and Condé Nast Traveler.
Stay here for $1,018 a night. However, book a suite for around $3,053 for views of the Colosseum.
There are three areas to visit for the open-air views of the city. Michelin Star restaurant Aroma has a rooftop directly watching over the Colosseum and has dishes like lobster risotto and Wagyū beef. If you’re after similar views, but only fancy a drink, you might prefer The Court cocktail bar. Or, for panoramic views, the Rhinoceros Rooftop bar offers food and beverages.
| Google Rating | 4.4/5.0 (630+ ratings) |
| Booking.com Rating | 8.6/10 (490+ ratings) |
| TripAdvisor Rating | 4.5/5.0 (720+ ratings) |
“The location, the view, the rooms, and the staff made this place exceptional. Small, luxurious, and quaint hotel with a Michelin Star restaurant. Cocktails at the bar with a view of the Colosseum was a great way to end the evening. It’s within walking distance to shopping & famous sites like Trevi Fountain! I will be back.” JB Yates, Google
Hotel Casa Monti
- Rooms from $531 a night (Comfort Room)
- Book now
Hotel Casa Monti is another beautifully restored 17th-century building in one of the capital’s oldest neighbourhoods, the Monti district. The boutique hotel opened in 2024 and has already made its mark, with plenty of five-star reviews from travelers. It even landed a spot in Vogue, which said that ‘each room feels like a Pinterest board’.
There are 26 rooms and 10 suites available, each with a stylish bohemian influence. The Art Deco interiors continue through the hotel’s restaurant and onto the terrace, which celebrates al fresco dining with views over the Via Cimarra below. Here, try authentic Italian dishes, like spaghetti pomodoro and tiramisu.
Visitors highly praise the spa, so if you’ve been on your feet all day exploring the city, you might want to visit it. It sits on the hotel’s fifth floor and has a rooftop terrace with sweeping views of the city. Enjoy a Roman bath, a soak in the jacuzzi, or a treatment, like the hibernation sleep ritual, for $292 if you’re on a high from the city’s buzz.
| Google Rating | 4.9/5.0 (100+ ratings) |
| Booking.com Rating | 9.7/10 (170+ ratings) |
| TripAdvisor Rating | 4.9/5.0 (30+ ratings) |
“Fantastic, we will be back. Fabulous location – felt like an oasis as soon as you walked in the door. Really enjoyed the rooftop bar. Had a very nice dinner and breakfast. Our room was filled with little extras – just an overall fabulous experience.” Simon, Booking.com
Six Senses
- Rooms from $1,406 a night (Superior Room)
- Book now
Six Senses, just a short walk from iconic sights like the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and Pantheon, is also featured in Vogue’s Best Hotels in Rome piece. Since opening in 2023, it’s been honored with a number of awards, like winning Forbes’ Best Spa and Wellness Hotel in Rome and being featured in The Architectural Digest Awards for the restoration of the 15th-century building.
The spa is a key part of the hotel’s growing reputation. Indulge in soothing Roman baths, experience a healing herbal Hammam, or even explore biohacking treatments, like the Traveler’s Hack, designed to combat jet lag.
Stay here for $1,406 a night, and 96 rooms and suites are available; each stay includes breakfast. There are two restaurants at Six Senses. The BIVIUM restaurant has an inner courtyard where you can savor al fresco dining. Here, your Italian three-course dinner might look something like this: beef carpaccio to start, followed by a classic carbonara, and topped off with homemade gelato.
If you’re after sweeping views of the city, then the NOTOS rooftop restaurant will be for you, with pasta dishes like Gnocchi and ravioli.
| Google Rating | 4.6/5.0 (320+ ratings) |
| Booking.com Rating | 8.9/10 (200+ ratings) |
| TripAdvisor Rating | 4.0/5.0 (80+ ratings) |
“Beautiful hotel with a great restaurant and rooftop. The Six Sense is an incredible hotel in the middle of Rome’s best neighborhood. We spent 4 hours at the spa and really loved our time there. The staff were friendly and hospitable. We will definitely be back! Make sure to go to the spa for the Roman baths. Well worth the wait.” Ed Grochowiak, Google
From leafy terraces to skyline lounges, these heritage hotels offer the perfect blend of comfort and culture, with iconic views of Rome.
From those terraces, you’ll see the city differently, soaking in views of famous landmarks and cobbled streets that feel a world away from the bustle below.
