Elizabeth Unique Hotel

The hotel is cosseted away on a tiny street right behind the busy thoroughfare that is the Via del Corso. It's just down the block from the Piazza del Popolo and surrounded by shops, restaurants, cafés and other high-end hotels. Piazza di Spagna and Villa Borghese are both within 10 minutes on foot. While it's easy to walk to many of the major sites in the centro storico from here, this area is also well-served by buses and taxis.

The ground-floor vestibule entrance around the corner from bustling Via del Corso is a bit nondescript but once inside, the Elizabeth’s interiors are exquisite. They mix a refined colour palette, modern design, mid century décor and custom flourishes such as bespoke lighting and Colosseum-inspired accent tables. Guests are whisked from the soaring atrium downstairs to a plush, pristine world full of art and design up above.

The property lives up to its “unique” name thanks to its remarkable collection of contemporary Italian art, curated by one of Rome’s most prestigious galleries. The partnership between the hotel and Galleria Russo began when the hotel was still in the planning stages and the relationship continues today. The gallery has a hand in the hotel’s site-specific and temporary artworks, and the hotel acts as a sort of a de facto annex to it.

Service here is gracious and warm with staff eager to make sure guests have what they need from the moment they cross the threshold. As is the case with many Roman boutique hotels, the Elizabeth is a modern space inside a renovated historic palazzo (in this case, the 17th-century Palazzo Pulieri Ginetti) which means that common areas are limited. Nevertheless there are two rather inviting spaces: the lounge, adjacent to the reception area on the Via delle Colonnette side of the palazzo; and the library, on the opposite side, overlooking Via del Corso. In addition, the extra-wide corridors are dotted with groupings of chairs and tables and just outside the chic space that serves as the bar, breakfast room and bistrot there's a tiny winter garden – a creative camouflage for an air shaft.

The Elizabeth’s "guest service ambassadors" can arrange tours with selected art historian "culture managers". There is no wellness centre on site but guests could opt for "Spa Suites" which have saunas and jetted tubs. Otherwise, the hotel has an agreement with a nearby spa and the concierge can set up visits or arrange in-room treatments.

The hotel's 33 rooms are divided into four categories: Initiale, Deluxe, Junior Suites and Suites. They are not palatial but they do have an airy feel thanks to soaring ceilings and light oak parquet. Each of the rooms has been designed to be unique and the arches and decorative flourishes – from the custom-designed lights to the wall panelling – pay homage to Classical Rome, while the wallpaper murals inspired by 18th-century etchings evoke the Grand Tour.

All rooms have top-tier amenities including generous complimentary minibars with decanters of grappa and amaro, a pillow menu, a "virtual concierge" tablet loaded with everything from daily newspapers to room-service menus and carefully curated works of contemporary art. White marble bathrooms are modern and feature rainfall showers and Laura Tonatto bath products. The Junior Suites and Suites are roomier, but they may not be the best choice for light sleepers as they overlook Via del Corso, which is especially raucous on weekend nights. Spa Suites have private saunas. The Elizabeth’s Mansion annex, located a few steps from the main building provides rooms that are less art-focused but with similar luxe amenities.

In-house bar and restaurant DonnaE provides a refined and creative take on southern Italian hospitality with some international influence. This is a versatile space where guests can enjoy a full meal or just stop in for an aperitif or glass of wine. Specialities include oxtail ravioli in a sauce made from piennolo tomatoes and basil, a citrus-infused lamb chop served with a blueberry and lemon thyme cream or vegetarian "meatballs". 

The hotel's breakfast is the true tour de force though. Everything from waffles and pancakes to eggs (prepared in a seemingly infinite number of ways) are served alongside cheeses, cold cuts, baked goods, yoghurt, porridge and more. It's available until 12:30, meaning late risers will not miss out. Everything on the continental menu is included in the room rate but there is also a wider array of gourmet options such as champagne and caviar featured on an à la carte menu at additional cost. There’s also a special selection of dishes for children.

Double rooms from €370 (£317) in low season; and from €600 (£515) in high. Breakfast included.

Yes. There are two rooms built according to accessibility standards, plus a lift to all floors.

Yes. The Junior Suites and Suites can sleep three or four guests respectively. There is also the option of combining a row of adjoining rooms and the library into a palatial suite that can sleep up to eight.