Dove Dormire a Roma

The terraced Secret Garden alone makes de Russie worth the stay — a walled oasis of orange trees and jasmine between the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo. Rooms are refined without being stuffy, the Stravinskij Bar is one of Rome's great people-watching spots, and the Rocco Forte spa is genuinely excellent.

• Garden oasis
• Lusso
• Central location

A design-forward boutique in a converted palazzo steps from Campo de' Fiori's morning market. The rooftop terrace has one of Rome's best aperitivo views, rooms feature original architectural details layered with contemporary Italian design, and the restaurant serves modern Roman cuisine that actually competes with the neighbourhood trattorias.

• Boutique
• Rooftop terrace
• Design hotel

A converted 16th-century cloister wrapped around a courtyard of orange trees — one of the most atmospheric small hotel in Rome. Rooms are simple but charming, the location in the heart of Trastevere puts you surrounded by the city's best casual dining, and the nightly quiet is remarkable for such a central position.

• Trastevere charm
• Courtyard
• Coppie

A rotating collection of contemporary art throughout the hotel keeps things interesting beyond the expected Roman luxury. The First doubles as a genuine gallery, with a rooftop restaurant overlooking the city and a Via del Corso location that puts the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps within easy walking distance.

• Art lovers
• Ristorante Panoramico
• Central Rome

Wake up and look directly at the Colosseum from your bed — the view from this intimate 16-room hotel is arguably the most spectacular in Rome. The rooftop terrace restaurant with the floodlit arena as backdrop is unforgettable for a special dinner. Small enough to feel personal, polished enough to feel luxurious.

• Colosseum views
• Romantico
• Boutique luxury

The Hoxton's Roman outpost occupies a 17th-century palazzo with a courtyard restaurant that's become a destination in its own right. The brand's signature affordable-cool aesthetic translates beautifully to Rome — rooms are compact but thoughtfully designed, and the Salario location is walkable to Villa Borghese and Via Veneto.

• Design hotel
• Rapporto Qualità-Prezzo
• Courtyard dining

An ivy-clad landmark just off Piazza Navona with a rooftop terrace that commands panoramic views across Rome's domes and rooftops. The Bramante Suite with its original 15th-century ceiling is worth the splurge, and the central location means you're walking distance to virtually everything in the historic centre.

• Piazza Navona
• Rooftop views
• Storico

Steps from the Pantheon at a fraction of the price of its neighbours. Rooms are clean and contemporary with good beds, the breakfast spread is above average, and the location is unbeatable for sightseeing on foot. Not the most characterful hotel in Rome, but an exceptional value proposition in the city's most expensive postcode.

• Pantheon location
• Rapporto Qualità-Prezzo
• Central

The hippest neighbourhood in Rome now has a boutique hotel to match. Condominio Monti captures Monti's artisan-quarter energy with handpicked vintage furniture, a wine bar that attracts locals, and rooms that feel like a stylish friend's apartment. Walking distance to the Colosseum and Termini station.

• Monti neighbourhood
• Boutique
• Local vibe

Rocco Forte's showpiece at the top of the Spanish Steps occupies one of the most coveted addresses in Rome. The rooftop Cielo Terrace has 360-degree views, interiors by Olga Polizzi mix bold colour with classical Roman references, and the location literally cannot be beaten for the historic centre.

• Spanish Steps
• Bar sul Tetto
• Lusso

The best budget option in Rome by a considerable margin. Generator occupies a converted building near Termini with a rooftop bar, co-working spaces, and private rooms that rival mid-range hotel for comfort. The Termini location means excellent transport links and easy access to the airport train.

• Economico
• Viaggiatori Solitari
• Transport hub

A well-run three-star in the Prati neighbourhood with — as the name promises — genuine views of St. Peter's dome from the upper floor rooms. The Vatican Museums are a ten-minute walk, the neighbourhood is quieter and more residential than the centro storico, and the nearby Mercato Trionfale is Rome's best food market.

• Vatican access
• Quiet area
• Rapporto Qualità-Prezzo