The “Grand Tour” hotel reopened in 2024 in Rome, near Trinità dei Monti, in what was known at the end of the 19th century as the “English district”. Today it has returned to its refined British atmosphere thanks to a major restoration conducted with some of the best city’s artisans and antique dealers.
It is said that the Hotel d’Inghilterra is the second hotel born in Rome, what is certain is that it is among the few hotels in the world that can count on a history worthy of a film script and a charm that has lasted intact for almost 200 years.
The history of the palace begins in the 15th century, but it was in 1837, when the Duke of Bracciano Marino Torlonia bought it and commissioned the illustrious architect Antonio Sarti to expand it to make it a “guesthouse” for his guests, that its fame for high hospitality began.
One of the most beautiful aristocratic residences in the centre of Rome returned to its original splendor.
In the 19th century, the neighborhood, together with Piazza del Popolo, was the only access point from which carriages could arrive, which is why the first hotels in the city were built right here. In 1845 it became a hotel with the name ‘d’Angleterre’, a point of reference for the many travelers of the time, often artists and intellectuals, who visited the European cities of art at the time of the Grand Tour.
Among these, in particular the young people of the British aristocracy immediately began to frequent the hotel, so much so that the logo itself is inspired by the coat of arms of the English royal family.
There were many illustrious guests for whom the Hotel d’Inghilterra was a second home, including Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, Hans Christian Andersen, Henry James, Ezra Pound, Italo Calvino, Giuseppe Ungaretti and Henryk Sienkiewicz, author of the famous novel Quo Vadis, remembered in a plaque on the facade of the hotel, where he stayed in 1893.
Having become part of Starhotels Collezione in 2016, the Italian hotel group headed by Elisabetta Fabri, over the last two years the property has carried out a long conservative restoration to give the hotel a new authentic splendor. To do this, we turned to the best artisans in Italy, including those who still populate the street, such as the famous Fersini Restauro laboratory, specialized in the shellac technique and gold leaf work, often coming from the Florentine Giusto Manetti Battiloro who since 1600 has embellished extraordinary places such as the Palace of Versailles and Big Ben.
The extensive historical and iconographic research has also brought to light the original drawings of the architect Sarti and further documents from the past, thus ensuring the preservation of the hotel’s heritage, for which some of the original decorations – such as the stuccos in the foyer and in the rooms – have even been recreated.
There are 80 rooms, spread over 6 floors, each one different from the other, thus giving guests the opportunity to choose the style or characteristics that best suit them. Rubelli and Dedar fabrics, William Morris wallpapers, the same, very refined ones that were originally there, restored period chandeliers and custom-made lamps by Il Bronzetto, a renowned workshop in the Florentine Oltrarno, or by the Piedmontese company Zonca Lighting, as well as many prints and antique objects re-arranged thanks to the collaboration with various Roman antique dealers.
The suites are fantastic, among which those with a panoramic terrace stand out, such as the Penthouse Suite with a living room, dining room with an original 19th-century fireplace, study, bedroom and two marble bathrooms, decorated with bas-reliefs by the famous Roman craftsman Felice Calchi. Located on the top floor of the hotel, it boasts a magnificent view of the rooftops of Rome, from Villa Medici to the Vittoriano, and a 70 m2 terrace perfect for romantic dinners under the stars.
The Hotel d’Inghilterra offers, also open to non-guests of the hotel, the Cafè Romano which consists of a restaurant and a cocktail bar that has remained faithful to the allure of the aristocratic English Bars of the late 19th century.
The breakfast ritual is fantastic, starting with a delicious selection of Viennoiseries pastries produced within the hotel and served on a silver stand and porcelain tableware (a must is the cappuccino served with the hotel logo).
Further novelties of the Hotel d’Inghilterra will soon be the SPA Suite and the new terrace on the sixth floor, an exclusive rooftop bar with a 360° view of Rome, also open to those who are not staying at the hotel, an ideal location for private events.
The Hotel d’Inghilterra is also part of the project La Grande Bellezza – The Dream Factory, promoted by Elisabetta Fabri, President and CEO of Starhotels, to protect, enhance and promote high-end Italian craftsmanship.
In addition to admiring works available for purchase in the building, guests of the hotel can book exclusive tours, such as a visit to Le Sibille, a unique laboratory that uses the ancient goldsmith techniques of Roman micromosaic.
Not just a luxury hotel, but a true immersion in the magnificent Rome of the Grand Tour.
The Secret
It is said that the hotel took its name “d’Inghilterra” thanks to the English writers Keats, who lived nearby in what is now his house museum which can be visited, Byron and Shelley who used to have their friends and personalities of the time stay there.
Useful Info
Hotel D’Inghilterra Roma – Starhotels Collezione
Via Bocca di Leone 14
00187 Roma
Tel. +39 06 699811
Rooms from 800 euro with breakfast
Craft Experience Le Sibille: from 1 to 10 people 610 euro in total which include the guided tour of the laboratory, the explanation of the art of Roman minute mosaic and micromosaic, and a demonstration of glass spinning and composition
