Hotel Eden

When in Rome, would you like a room with a view—a fairly incomparable view—of the city? Or breakfast with a view? Or drinks and dinner with a view? If you said yes to any or all, right this way—to the Eden, which after Le Meurice in Paris is the most venerable of the nine hotels in the Dorchester Collection. When it opened in 1889, the Eden set the standard for excellence in Roman hospitality; it was the first hotel in the city to have an elevator, electricity and running water—and it still sets the standard today with high-touch service, two sixth-floor restaurants and a bar, a lovely spa and a small but well-equipped gym. Its 98 rooms retain a sense of history but are light-filled and modern. Best of all, it’s just a short stroll to the top of the Spanish Steps in one direction and the Borghese Gardens in the other: Hotel Eden is for those looking to stay slightly apart from, and above, the crowds.

• The grand (but not stuffy) lobby, for people-watching
• La Terrazza and Il Giardino Ristorante, the terrace restaurants with oversize retractable windows looking over the Borghese Gardens and the city
• The  lofty ceilings, mirrored armoires, and Italian touches (Rubelli curtains and Murano vases), plus marvelous white-marble bathrooms in all the rooms

A part of the Dorchester Collection, which also owns iconic hotels like Le Meurice in Paris and the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, the Eden is a supremely comfortable address with the expected modern amenities, pampering facilities and immaculately designed rooms. Perhaps the only downside for some is that it is set just a few blocks above the center of the action, but its luxurious furnishings and five-star service more than make up for its slightly removed location.

A popular retreat for celebrities and royalty since opening in 1889, the Eden was purchased by the Dorchester Collection in 2013. The hotel group operated the property for a short time before closing for renovations, and now the Eden is almost unrecognizable from its former self. Each of the hotel’s 98 rooms have been redone with stunning details. Careful attention was paid to every aspect of the accommodations, so rooms feature pieces that highlight Italian craftsmanship (think Murano vases and handmade Rubelli curtains from Venice) and antique books, as well as modern touches like iPads that control the temperature and lights. The exquisite bathrooms are outfitted almost entirely in white marble and offer Ortiga toiletries.

The expansive lobby has multiple seating areas that lead a hidden bar in one corner, which opens each evening to a secret cabinet of spirits and wines and a piano player to set the mood for the guests. Other amenities include a serene spa exclusively furnished with Swiss Valmont Cosmetics by Sophie Guillon and a small but well-equipped gym. The terrace restaurants (refined La Terrazza and more casual Il Giardino) have a great view from their hilltop vantage, and the windows open completely to provide an al fresco feel despite having a roof. The Terrazza also has a large window that can be opened to offer diners a behind-the-scenes peek into the kitchen that serves both restaurants.

The Eden is ideal for especially particular travelers (both couples/friends and families) and those who want a truly luxurious base for exploring the city.