The 121 rooms are richly decorated and elegant, with tapestry curtains, brocade bedspreads, and Italian marble bathrooms.

The hotel has a gorgeous roof-top restaurant with a fine view of the Eternal City, and outdoor dining in summer. The 121 rooms have large tapestry curtains and silky brocade bedspreads, decorated wood headboards, and Italian marble bathrooms with large gilded mirrors, bathrobes, and slippers. All rooms have fax hook-up and two phone lines. Room sizes vary. What to expect: At once elegant and comfortable; the top-hatted porter ushers business travelers and vacationers into a bright lobby with creamy marble floors, Roman arches and columns, and inviting couches with a plethora of colorful throw pillows. Past guests have included royalty and heads of state; these days, celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson, and Nicole Kidman establish residence here while in Rome.

Amenity highlights: The hotel offers a roof-top terrace for outdoor dining in summer, piano bar, multilingual staff, and a wood-burning fireplace in the lobby.

Insider tip: Guests can choose from candlelit dining on Via Veneto and more humble, family-operated restaurants on smaller back streets. Nearby shopping includes Via Veneto, Via Condotti, Via Frattina, Via del Corso, and Piazza di Spagna. The hotel has a piano bar, outdoor dining, a fitness center, 24-hour room service, and a multilingual staff. La Terrazza dell'Eden - Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served on the hotel's top floor, with a clear view of the city. One side is a windowed, posh restaurant; the central space is a piano bar and lounge; and the other side is a terraced dining area that's covered in winter and open in summer. The Mediterranean menu is updated seasonally and changes completely twice yearly, and the wine list has 300 choices. Quiet location Set two blocks off the Via Veneto on a quiet street, the hotel is two blocks from the Piazza Barberini and Villa Borghese, and a half-mile from the Spanish Steps. Rooftop dining The hotel has a Mediterranean-style rooftop restaurant with panoramic views of the city and outdoor dining in summer; a piano bar and lounge offers live entertainment.