A Hotel born with art in the ascendant, not only because of its location or
the fact of being housed in an ancient building that was once the college of one
of Rome's most exclusive educational institutions, but because it was designed
as a home of art. From the very outset and down to the smallest of details, it
is this unifying characteristic that makes a stay in this Hotel a unique and
precious experience and prepares you to plunge into the world's greatest
storehouse of artistic treasures.
The key to an understanding of this elegant structure is light, the sweetly
mellow Roman light that penetrates softly into the narrowest lanes and floods
the large piazzas. Don't expect to see any signs. You have to know and want this
Hotel if you are to find it.
It is the words of poets that guide the steps of guests to this Hotel,
recently opened on Via Margutta in the true artistic heart of Rome and designed
by the architects Raniero Botti and Gianfranco Mangiarotti. The worn
cobblestones of this street once echoed the quick steps of Giulietta Masina as
she accompanied Federico Fellini on his brief outings to bookshops in the centre
of the city and it is a pathway of white pebbles that leads to the Hall of the Hotel
Art.
The Hotel Art consists of a small, but extremely
efficient combined Bar and Restaurant providing a broad selection of teas and
herbal infusions, buffet breakfast, a brunch that is not confined to Sundays and
also features organic produce, cocktails, cold dishes and appetizers. Pride of
place among the latter goes to a careful selection of Italian cheeses served
with honey and candied fruit mustard, Umbrian preserves and delicacies in olive
oil and ham from Langhirano. The only meat cooked here is a simple grilled
fillet of Chianina beef or chicken breasts for those who love more delicate
tastes.
The Crystal Bar has already inspired an after-dinner drink with vodka and
Cointreau and a long drink featuring Bombay Gin. Both are laced with a few drops
of Blue Curacao to recall the colour of the glass protecting the altar.
- Lifts
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Wheelchair Access
- Concierge
- Room Service
- Crystal Bar
- Inner open-air Courtyard
- Laundry Service
- Gym
- Sauna
- Steam bath
- Swedish Shower
- Pets: not permitted
- Valet Parking and Garage Facilities nearby
Each of the four floors in the Hotel Art has its own
distinguishing colour, orange, yellow and green, but nothing can prepare you for
the surprise of finding yourself immersed in a tunnel where the colour becomes
more intense before suddenly opening up on a series of white doors that make you
feel a little like Alice following the White Rabbit. The wall facings of glass
and resin in bright but transparent colours seem to expand the space and you
might feel lost if you did not have the words of poets like Garcia Lorca and
Octavio Paz to follow, stretching out like minimalist milky ways along the sides
of the corridor to lead you to your Room: a world of your own, a refuge from the
countless stimuli of the incredible city of Rome.
The hi-tech furnishings and bright colours stop on the threshold of each Room
to make way for wedge parquet floors and walnut woodwork. The headboards are a
hand-stitched patchwork of Florentine leather and there are two useful leather
glass holders on either side as well as large wooden bedside tables. Each Room
will soon have its own painting alluding to great masters of the past like
Botticelli, Caravaggio, Monet and Picasso. The Mattresses are soft, but firm,
the Sheets and Pillowslips are linen and there is a choice of Pillows filled
with feathers or non-allergic materials. There is a well-stocked Min Bar (Veuve
Cliquot, chocolate dragees, nuts and Sorgiva mineral water) and a Safe,
particular care has been lavished on the personalized stationery. The facilities
also include a cordless keyboard for web surfing and Satellite Television.
Featuring glass, metal and mosaic tiles that pick up the colour of the corridor,
the Bathrooms display different characteristics depending on the type of Room,
with facilities ranging from a simple, but powerful Shower to a relaxing
Jacuzzi, but always provide a warm and comfortable Bathrobe and a set of subtly
scented Toiletries including Body Creams and Lotions, Bath foam, Shampoo and
Balsam.
Room facilities:
- Satellite & Pay TV
- Mini Bar
- In-room Safe
- Radio Channels
- Internet Access via TV
- Air conditioning self remote control
- Direct Dial Telephone
- Hairdryer
- Bathrobe
- Slippers
- Toilet courtesy line
- Towel Warmer
- Direct Dial Telephone in Bathroom
