Maalot Roma: A Jewel-Toned Boutique Bolthole Near the Trevi Fountain

Mon, 01/09/2023 - 07:02

Maalot Roma

Ed.: The Inspired Stays series highlights hotels we love around Italy. Each property is independently reviewed by an Italy Magazine writer, who is generally hosted on a complimentary basis. Our contributors do not accept compensation or gifts in exchange for specific types of coverage. We only showcase properties we would genuinely recommend overall.

Why we love it

This relative newcomer from the team behind Rome’s chic Hotel Vilòn brings intimate luxury to one of the city’s most touristy areas.

What to expect

Maalot was designed to feel like a restaurant with rooms on top rather than a hotel with a restaurant. You literally have to walk through the restaurant — which, by the way, is gorgeous — to get to the reception desk. The property is a member of Small Luxury Hotels and it shows — it’s intimate in scale and luxurious in its design, amenities, and service. It feels almost like the home of one very chic host, full of art and eclectic design touches.

Background

The hotel is housed in an aristocratic palazzo that was once home to the opera composer Gaetano Donizetti. It later became the offices of a bank. During the renovations, some original ceiling frescoes were uncovered and restored, adding to the authentic beauty of the building.

Location, location, location

It would be hard to get any closer to the Trevi Fountain, which is just up the street. This area can get extremely packed, so if you hate crowds it might not be the place for you, but it’s perfect for the traveler who wants to be right in the center of it all.

Where you'll sleep

There are 30 rooms and suites, each done up in beautiful patterned fabrics in vibrant jewel-toned colors. My room had soothing gray walls with pops of color coming from the red, white, and pink patterned headboard and pillows, as well as black-and-white curtains with a leaf print. The bathroom was a bit small, but felt sumptuous with its black veined marble. All rooms have a walk-in rain shower; some suites also have a bathtub.

Dining and drinks

The design of the restaurant, Don Pasquale, was inspired by English colonial clubs, with plush banquettes, a large chandelier hanging from a glass greenhouse-style ceiling, and paintings that nod to Dutch Golden Age portraits but with a cheeky twist. Domenico Boschi, the hotel’s young executive chef, prepares beautifully plated Roman dishes alongside international favorites like a burger and club sandwich. The bar, just off the restaurant, specializes in rum, which is quite unusual for Rome.