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.
