The Aldrovandi Palace Hotel was a delightful place to stay in Rome. Away from the crowds, near the Borghese Gardens in a parklike atmosphere surrounded by large villas, the setting alone is a reason to choose this hotel. Its traditionally elegant atmosphere blended with contemporary touches met a high standard of discreet service in this family owned hotel, part of the international group of Small Luxury Hotels. Breakfast was served in a room overlooking the gardens, the generous selection of delicacies laid out on a grand table beneath chandeliers. The luxurious pool in walled gardens   seduced us to swim, sunbathe and relax after touring Rome’s historic sites. And to make life even easier, the hotel’s shuttle ferried us with other guests on its scheduled destination to the tourist center of Rome, the Spanish Steps. Nothing could have been easier for us  than taking this shuttle on its fifteen minute ride to the Via Condott where Henry and I strolled around some of our favorite streets. Near the hotel at the edge of the Borghese Gardens, Henry and I walked to the National Museum of Modern Art to view its collection of 19th-21st century art. The best reason, however, to be at the Aldrovandi Palace Hotel was to place ourselves in the elegant residential area of Rome, near dear friends whom we had the pleasure of seeing twice during our stay, an absolute treat!

PHOTOS: Left Column: 1. Detail: exterior façade of the hotel. 2. Detail: the hotel’s lobby, its interior design combining traditional and contemporary elements. 3. Pool in the walled garden. Center, Top: View of the restaurant in the garden, where we enjoyed lunch one afternoon. Center, Bottom:  The frog fountain at the pool. Right Column: 1. Henry near the porte-cochère of Aldrovandi Palace Hotel. 2. Detail: the garden of the hotel. 3. The hotel’s van shuttle parked in front of the hotel.

JOURDAN ARPELLE-ZIEGLER                                        BACK TO MAP  PAGE