Italy: Rome: Where to Stay: Boutique: Babuino 181

Babuino 181

Vibe: Contemporary, good value, centrally located

At a Glance: With its prime location on the Via Babuino, boutique hotel Babuino 181 offers contemporary décor and good value in the heart of Rome.

Review: This intimate boutique property (brainchild of Alberto Moncada who also owns Margutta 54) offers a contemporary escape that immediately transforms travelers into locals. The entrance of Babuino 181, for instance, is barely marked: a sleek set of sliding glass doors lead from the shopping bustle of Via Babuino into a slender, quiet mansion whose spacious suites feel like well-designed, fashionable and utterly comfortable cocoons. The location itself cannot be beat: the historic Via del Babuino runs between Piazza di Spagna and Piazza di Popolo, and it abounds with chic boutiques and antiques shops.

The original three-story palazzo has just fourteen individually decorated suites, all of which come with king beds and an understated, modern design scheme with beautiful textiles, original works of art and all the high-tech amenities you’d expect (iPod dock, a massive flat-screen TV and Bose sound system). The 2012 addition of the annex across the street adds ten more suites in the same contemporary style, complete with the newest penthouse Suite offering its own rooftop terrace. Families should consider the Deluxe Suites, which can be easily connected to a Deluxe Room to create a small residence.

Babuino 181 is perfect for travelers and families who want a serene, contemporary space to return to at the end of a sightseeing-heavy day with good value in a fantastic location. However, the property can almost be a little too discreet – the door to the annex is barely marked and may be confusing for some guests. Visitors who want the privacy of a smaller property but also require sleek, top-notch decor should consider the Portrait Suites. Those who need a lot of hand-holding or appreciate more traditional décor, and amenities like a gym, spa and full-service restaurant should consider the Hotel de Russie just a block away.

WHAT’S NEARBY: Such fun, local restaurants as La Buvette, Canova and Babette, as well as such boutiques as Soledad Twombly, TAD, Saddler Union and high-end jewlery store Enigma.

• The newly built annex across the street offering ten additional suites
• The discreet entrance off of busy Via Babuino where guests can escape after a long day of shopping
• The new Penthouse Suite with a private rooftop garden