#11
We spent the Christmas holidays at the St. Regis Rome. This was my second visit to the hotel formerly known as the Grand Hotel Rome, the first with my husband, having previously stayed there in 2010. Since my last visit the hotel has been significantly updated, without losing a stitch of its history or opulence. The result is a brighter, airier, more welcoming space that still has many of the object d’art, Chandeliers, architecture, and the original elevator.
Before we even arrived, the General Manager and his staff took wonderful care of us. We received thoughtful pre-arrival information about holiday dinners, music concerts, etc. at the hotel. The hotel arranged for a Mercedes to pick us up at Rome FCO airport after a long and stressful flight on 12/23, which was a seamless experience.
As Platinum Marriott Bonvoy members, we were upgraded to a marvelous St. Regis suite befitted with Acqua di Parma toiletries and Murano Chandeliers and with St. Regis’ famous (and fantastic) butler service.
Before our arrival in Rome I sent the hotel staff my itinerary of all the tours, events, activities, etc. I booked and they helped to ensure I knew how (and when) to get to everywhere we were going on time.
We partook in the Christmas Eve Cena della Vigilia at Lumen (the hotel lobby/restaurant), with live music, which was the nicest holiday we have had in years. This was an updated take on the Feast of the Fishes with three delicate, delicious, and beautifully plated fish courses plus dessert. All were delicious. We also enjoyed L’arte Della Musica, another live music event at Lumen, as well as the classic champagne sabring ritual– which no matter how many times we experience it never gets old, and this is the first place we saw it indoors! The daily breakfast (included because of our Platinum Bonvoy) status was a highlight. More than just a way-nice-to-be-called-buffet breakfast, there was an on-demand omelet station, and was the perfect time to try the Red Admiral– Rome’s signature St. Regis bloody mary, which was spicy and smooth. The Lumen staff got to know us by name and by face, always asking how our tour or event the day before was, always interested (without being invasive) in our current day’s plans, and just generally being gracious, proactive, and personal. The also were very patient with my very real, but very rusty Italian and also communicated extremely effectively in English.
The butler service, available on demand via the Marriott Bonvoy app, email, text, or phone was great. Our every wish was granted seamlessly from room service, coffee/tea, unpacking, pressing, packing, etc.
On our evening before checkout for a very early flight to our next winter holiday destination, we came back from dinner to find Bvlgari gifts and tokens specific to the St. Regis home waiting for us. Merry Christmas indeed.
Check-in and check-out were a breeze (as these least fun parts of the experience should be). The hotel also helped us with guidance on the nerve-wracking COVID test, and provided us with the N-95 masks, which were required even out of doors during the stepped up, “Super Green Pass” holiday season in Rome.
I cannot recommend this hotel highly enough for everything previously mentioned, its central location by Piazza Repubblicca (just 2 blocks walk to the Repubblica Metro (from their just 10 minutes or so to the Colosseo, the Vatican, and a host of other wonders), and the Teatro dell’Opera, which I highly recommend).