A Superbly Chic City Break: The Hoxton Rome – Hotel Review

Moments away from Villa Borghese’s beautiful gardens, The Hoxton Rome is set in the refreshingly calm residential neighbourhood of Parioli. With 192 rooms, a solid dose of mid-century style and The Hoxton’s staple home-away-from home comforts, this is an ideal spot to rest your head in the Eternal City, says Lauren Ho.

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The Hoxton Rome – Hotel Review

STAY

Housed in a 1970s building that was formerly the Beverly Hills Hotel, The Hoxton Rome is the tenth opening from this London-born brand, and the first in Italy. Ennismore Design Studio worked with Fettle Design to breathe new life into the space, blending The Hoxton’s signature aesthetic with classical architectural elements to keep a sense of traditional Italian style in sight. Homely common areas get plenty of natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows, and colourful curved furniture pops against the wood floors and honed marble table tops.

The Hoxton Rome’s rooms come in four sizes, from Shoebox (13 square metres with a single bed) to Biggy (28 square metres with a king-size bed – and some with a sun-soaked terrace too). Mid-century style runs deep, with rustic parquet, statement headboards and bespoke brass light fittings throughout. Local stone and some original Murano glass chandeliers maintain a tie to the building’s origins, while en-suite bathrooms feature large walk-in showers with matte black fixtures, and Hoxton’s own essential products. In keeping with the brand’s ‘everything you need and nothing you don’t’ ethos, minibars are stocked with water, milk, coffee and tea – plus you can pick up drinks and snacks from the downstairs Hox Shop (at supermarket prices).

EAT

Laptops abound on the shady terrace at Elio, The Hoxton Rome’s restaurant. It’s no wonder, given that The Hoxton is known for welcoming remote workers with its relaxed atmosphere and all-day dining. Head chef team, Sarah Cicolini and Alessandro Stefoni, combine culinary inspiration from Rome and Abruzzo for a traditional Italian menu tempting diners with the likes of stuffed zucchini topped with pecorino, brazed herby pork neck and all sorts of traditional pastas. The hotel’s café – Cugino – is a prime spot to pick up your coffee and a homemade pastry for the road, or settle in for antipasti or paninis for lunch. It also doubles up as a vibey cocktail bar for after-work aperitivos.

DO

The Hoxton Rome is located just north of the city centre. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the landscapes of Villa Borghese, while MAXXI (the National Museum of 21st Century Art) and MACRO (Museum of Contemporary Art) are both within easy reach. Parioli is the perfect area for aimless wanders along pretty residential streets lined with fragrant pine trees and ornate villas – at a healthy distance from the throngs of tourists that gather around the best-known sights in central Rome. It feels authentic, leafy and urban, and there are a fair few delicatessens and trattorias worth stopping in for a bite. There’s no on-site gym, but the concierge will happily book you into a fitness class nearby. And in true Hoxton style, there’s also a programme of regular in-house events showcasing local talent, and workshops for guests to get stuck into.

THE FINAL WORD

 With brilliant, friendly service and a supremely lovely location, The Hoxton Rome gets top marks for consistently delivering exactly what you’d expect from this boutique brand. It’s undoubtedly a smart choice for a sexy city break, where you’ll feel less like a tourist and more like a local.

BOOK IT

Rates at The Hoxton Rome start from €185 (approximately £160) for a Shoebox room. thehoxton.com