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Vibe: Centrally located, luxurious, contemporary

At a Glance: Located just off the Piazza de Popolo and near the Spanish steps, the Hotel de Russie provides a tranquil oasis from the hustle of the city with large guest rooms, a gym, spa and an elegant restaurant overlooking the back garden.

Review: When Rocco Forte opened the Hotel de Russie in 2000, architect Julio La Fuente and designer Tomasso Ziffer had created a modern tranquil oasis in the center of the hustle and bustle of Rome. Steps away from the Via Condotti, Piazza de Popolo and Spanish Steps, the 122 rooms and suites center around an interior garden rising up a hill at the rear of the hotel. The Stravinskji Bar has become a favorite meeting spot for locals and the De Russie wellness zone offers guests one of the few – albeit small – pools in Rome, six treatment rooms, and fitness center.

The large rooms have a serene yet indulgent aesthetic with pastel-hued walls and contemporary furniture. The large marble bathrooms are covered in mosaic tiles and offer organic products. The magnificent two-bedroom Nijinsky Suite offers an extensive private terrace with views over the city. Like its sister property Hotel Savoy in Florence, Hotel de Russie offers a special treat for its littlest visitors with child-sized bathrobes, slippers, and a teddy bear turn-down service.

The Hotel de Russie has a buzzy vibe with the bar and garden scene, so those who would prefer a more private, discreet option may want to consider the Portrait Suites, and sometimes the mix of traditional and contemporary decor can seem a little spare. However, for first time visitors and families who want the central location and require 24-hour service, the Hotel de Russie is a perfect fit. In fact, it consistently ranks high as an Indagare favorite for couples and families alike.

• The Le Jardin de Russie restaurant overlooking the property’s secret garden
• The cave-like spa, Turkish steam room and marine hydro-pool
• The private terraces of the four specialty suites

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Vibe: Traditional, elegant, old-world

At a Glance: Adjacent to the Borghese gardens and a short walk from the Spanish Steps, the Hotel Eden has the feeling of a private residential club.

Review: The Hotel Eden is situated on a quiet street on the hill beside the Borghese gardens just a short walk from the Spanish steps and Via Condotti – giving the property a very residential feel. The traditionally elegant décor and refined atmosphere of Hotel Eden with its fireplaces, Oriental carpets and cozy seating areas evokes an old-world private club atmosphere. In the 121 rooms and suites, chandeliers, warm-toned silk curtains and gilt mirrors are complemented by contemporary fabrics and furnishings.

One of the hotel’s best assets is its spectacular rooftop terrace and restaurant – Terrazza dell’Eden draws a mix of businessmen and foodies for lunch, and offers spectacular views for an aperitivo before dinner at sunset. Guests can enjoy breakfast each morning in the charming Il Giardino breafast room, a garden trattoria set up in the clouds.

The property is a fantastic option for those who’d like to be in a quieter area around the Borghese Gardens, a five-minute brisk walk from the Spanish Steps and Via Condotti. It’s perfect for those who’d appreciate the atmosphere of a residential club with the full services and amenities of a hotel, but may be slightly fussy for some who favor the contemporary decor of the Hotel de Russie .

• The spectacular rooftop terrace with panoramic views of Rome’s seven hills
• Coffee and pastries in the Il Giardino breakfast room looking over the neighborhood
• The private seventy-square-meter terrace of the Presidential Suite, complete with tables, chairs and sunbeds