There are certain places—show-stopping hotels, award-winning restaurants, local dive bars, or incomparable vintage shops—that are worth planning your whole trip around. The Hotel Vilòn in Rome, Italy, is one of those places.
Rome is a city full of hidden gems—the small winding streets feel like there’s something to discover just around every corner. If you find yourself wandering around Via dell’Arancio, a small side street just a ten minute walk north of the Pantheon, the Hotel Vilòn along its route is one of those hidden gems.
Identifiable only by a single, black door and small gold plaque, this 18-room boutique hotel is one of the newest additions to the Roman hospitality scene (doors opened in spring of 2018). The Hotel Vilòn offers a quaint yet luxurious experience for the city traveler who wants immediate access to the bustling streets of the Eternal City, but also wants to sleep in quiet quarters with goose down pillows.
Why it’s worth the trip:
Have you ever fantasized about what it would be like to live as a fashionable heiress of Italian nobility? To lift your silk sleeping mask from rested eyelids and be greeted by a stunning terrace view of the historic Palazzo Borghese courtyard?
At Hotel Vilòn, you’ll have come to the right place. Originally built in the mid-16th century, this annex of the Palazzo Borghese, former home to the eponymous noble Italian family, is a historic mansion that also served as an all-girls school that’s been refurbished to new glory. Here, you’ll get the most stylish Roman experience of any hotel in the Eternal City.
You’ll like it here if…
You like boutique accommodations with all the modern trappings of a 5-star hotel, including expert concierge service, a stellar breakfast gratis, sleek decor with a nod to Italian opulence (think dark marble, jewel-toned velvet upholstery, and gilded mirrors—but not too much) and a compelling modern art collection.
Price breakdown:
Rooms start at $538/night.
The crowd:
Chic tourists and in-the-know business travelers.
How to prepare:
Just make sure you get up in time to enjoy their luxurious included breakfast—the salmon tartar and pastry selection is a cut above your average hotel offering.
Pro-tip:
Ask for a courtyard view of the Palazzo Borghese—you won’t regret it.
While you’re in the area…
You’ll be just minutes from traditional Roman tourist venues like the Spanish Steps, Pantheon, and the Trevi Fountain, and if you want to continue exploring the legacy of the Borghese name, don’t miss the Villa Borghese a stone’s throw away. Complete with lavish gardens, sculptures, temples, a petting zoo, and more, there’s much to explore in this dynamic green space.