The Westin Excelsior, Rome

The Westin Excelsior, Rome Review

Ablaze with lights at night, this seven-layer-cake hotel—topped off by its famous corner cupola, a landmark nearly as famous as the American Embassy palazzo across the street—is lavished with mirrors, elegant moldings, Oriental rugs, crystal chandeliers, and huge, baroque floral arrangements, while guest rooms have elegant drapery, marble baths, top-quality linens, and big, firm beds. Once the stomping ground of princes and maharajahs, the Excelsior today is the hotel of choice for visiting diplomats, celebrities, and, well, American business conferences. The hotel has an array of restaurants and bars, none more famous than Doney's—once the epicenter of Fellini's paparazzi. Recently renovated, Doney's now features a patisserie, an American bar, and fine dining.