Fodor's Expert Review Regina Baglioni

Name: Regina Baglioni
Address: Via Veneto 72, Rome, Latium, 00187, Italy
Telephone: 06-421111
Price range: $$$$

Via Veneto 72, Rome, Latium, 00187, Italy See on Map

Ariston Anderson

The former playground of kings and poets, the Regina Baglioni, which enjoys a prime spot on the Via Veneto, is a favorite among today's international jet-setters. Right across the street from the American Embassy and next to its noisy but überpopular neighbor, the Hard Rock Café, the luxury hotel radiates royal elegance with sumptuous crystal chandeliers, rich red carpets, elaborate staircases, and decorative statues. The guest rooms have luxury brocades, wall silks, and period antiques. Seventh-floor suites enjoy superb views of the Eternal City.

Pets are also welcome at this hotel but additional charges may apply.

room

Rooms are immaculately decorated in art deco style with original wood furniture and glass chandeliers. White marble floors, gold wallpaper and crimson and gold drapes match the bedding. Beds are huge and comfortable with a generous selection of pillows. Many rooms have huge windows which let in a lot of natural light and provide a great view to the other classical buildings on the block.

Suites are enormous and many have their own private terrace.

bathroom

Bathrooms are luxurious and modern, decked out completely in white, green, or onyx marble. There's lots of counter space and designer toiletries from luxury Sicilian perfumer Ortigia. Grand mirrors and lighting add to the regal feeling.

lobby

The over-the-top lobby is impressive in its renaissance decor. With overstuffed purple chairs, gold and onyx marble checkerboard flooring, white roses, a stuccoed ceiling and antique chandelier, and wall-size paintings, the lobby has its own museum feel.

spa

Baglioni Spa by Caschera has two massage rooms, a sauna, Turkish bath, Jacuzzi and beauty room. While not enormous, it's decorated in a modern Asian style with mosaics and oversized paintings to be a true urban oasis. The "Shiny Diamond" facial is particularly popular.

gym

A small well-lit gym offers basic cardio equipment and the latest Technogym Kinesis machine for a wide variety of strength-training moves.

dining

The Brunello Bar and Restaurant often organizes a trendy aperitivo, where all of Rome's beautiful people can be seen. Traditional chefs serve of delicious Mediterranean cuisine in a stunning neoclassical decor.

LOCATION

Getting Around

Barberini Metro is a 4-minute walk away where you can travel all over the city. You'll find a long line of taxis there too if you're looking for a faster way to get around. But being so central, you'll likely be walking to most sights. Fiumicino Airport is just a 30-minute drive away.

Restaurants

Pierluigi (11-minute drive) has been serving Rome since 1938. The upscale experience is known for serving some of the best fish dishes in the city. Da Francesco (13-minute drive) is one of the city's popular local joints where you can dine on authentic Roman food right in Piazza del Fico.

Bars

The Albert (9-minute walk) is a friendly pub with a gorgeous full-length bar, a pool table and outdoor seating. Open Baladin (12-minute drive) has one of Rome's largest selection of beers as well as 40 rotating beers on draft.

WHY WE LIKE IT

While the hotel is decorated like a museum, everything is as comfortable and welcoming as a friend's guesthouse. Original art deco light fixtures and furniture give a priceless feel to the decor. While many lower-tier rooms are quite small, you won't mind with the beautiful details throughout. You'll be in prime real estate here, looking out onto la dolce vita below. The staff here is truly world-class.