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When Rocco Forte opened the Hotel de Russie in 2000, it was an instant hit. His father, Lord Forte, had built one of the world’s great hotel chains (the Forte Group) before the family lost it in a takeover battle in the 1990s. This property, which sits on a fashionable street just down from the Spanish Steps, marked the triumphant start of the next generation’s hotel empire. Tommaso Ziffer created the modern interior without sacrificing any of the laid-on-thick luxuries that travelers have come to expect at a top-notch hotel. The large rooms have an indulgent but contemporary aesthetic that is hard to find in this history-laden town. The interior garden, which rises up a hill at the rear of the hotel, contains a lovely restaurant and provides guests with a tranquil oasis within the hustle and bustle of Rome. Rooms from $865.

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Just as cosseting as the Hotel de Russie but a little more restrained, this hotel, which was taken over by Starwood Hotels two years ago when it acquired Le Meridien group, has the feeling of a private club. The lobby’s fireplace, Oriental carpets and cozy seating areas give the place an old-world feel, as do the chandeliers, heavy silk curtains and gilt mirrors in the 121 guest rooms (though all are equipped with the latest technology, from flat-screen TVs to high-speed Internet access). What the hotel is known for, however—besides its location, between the Spanish Steps and Via Veneto, and close to the Borghese Gardens)—is its spectacular rooftop terrace. With views of the seven hills of Rome, La Terrazza dell’Eden draws a mix of moguls and foodies for lunch, and it remains the best place for an aperitivo before dinner at sunset. Rooms from $1,010.