Discover a Luxury Family Stay at Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese Hotel

Rome on a Saturday morning is captivating. Unhurried. Golden. Dramatic, yet self-assured. Our private transfer from Fiumicino Airport glides past famed landmarks – the ruins of the Circus Maximus and the Colosseum, Bernini’s Triton Fountain in Piazza Barberini – and turns quietly onto Via Lombardia, where Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese stands almost improbably calmly for a hotel this central. Its white façade is elegant and beautifully proportioned, simply adorned with cool grey window shutters and sculpted green plants. A warm “Buongiorno!” from the doorman and we’re in.

The hotel occupies a 19th-century palazzo reimagined by architect and interior designer Jean-Philippe Nuel. The chequered marble floor, in warm earth colours, complements the crisp white walls and velvety blues of the seating area to the right of the foyer. The check-in counter and concierge desk are to the left, and as we’re checking in, a thoughtful staff member brings out a low table with sketchpads and colour pencils to occupy the youngest of our three children.
 

Near the entrance, Sofi catches our eye. The hotel’s resident cat is a tiger-striped feline ambassador of considerable poise who doubles, we're told, as an occasional photoshoot model. With only 78 rooms, there's an attentiveness here that reveals itself in small, considered ways. It's like we’ve stepped into the home of a friend with impeccable taste.

The Deluxe Family Suite comprises three interconnected rooms – a deluxe suite and two luxury rooms – arranged around a private hallway, with en-suite bathrooms in each room plus an extra toilet. The result? Our family of five, with a sometimes-moody teen, chatty tween and bouncy six-year-old, can share a hotel stay while everyone still has their own space. 
 

The understated colour palette of warm whites and powder blues is accented by the vibrant seasonal hydrangeas on the table. Everyone dives onto their Sofitel MY BED, a sumptuous creation of fine linens and perfectly plumped pillows, swishing our arms and legs in snow-angel fashion as we contemplate the frescoed ceiling. There’s a yelp of delight from the youngest at the discovery of Le Petit Prince bathroom amenities, and raised eyebrows from the other two as they’re quietly impressed by the views of the skyline. Terracotta rooftops, the dignified verticals of umbrella pines, the dome of St Peter’s Basilica – we linger, coffees in hand, watching the city stir to life. What better way to begin a stay?

Settimo’s rooftop garden floats above the city, echoing the lush greenery of nearby Villa Borghese. Settling into the supremely comfy green velvet seats with teal cushions, we sip our Trevi Royal cocktails (an invitingly orange-pink Champagne-based concoction garnished with a chocolate coin that the kids start negotiating over) and admire the vistas. Villa Medici’s twin towers, St. Peter's Basilica, countless landmarks and adventures in between. 
 

Executive Chef Giuseppe D’Alessio has commanded Settimo’s kitchen for over a decade, combining his Roman roots with seasonal produce sourced locally where possible. We opt for a range of Roman classics with a twist, starting with the appetisers to share, which include some mouthwatering supplì rice balls, crunchy on the outside and melting in the middle. The tagliolini with smoked lobster ragù and buffalo yoghurt is satisfyingly rich, while the local beef filet is enticingly scented with the rosemary and foie gras that it’s roasted with. But the one thing you've got to try? The tortello alla carbonara: it was developed for a scene filmed here during the Netflix series Emily in Paris and when we taste it, we’re taken in by the airy pecorino foam, truffley umaminess and smoky guanciale.

When we ask the concierge what lies within walking distance, he recites a list that makes us really quite pleased at our hotel choice. The Trevi Fountain: 12 minutes. The Spanish Steps: 10. The Borghese Gardens, via a park entrance directly above the hotel: five. The Pantheon, at a leisurely pace: 20. The Barberini metro stop is a seven-minute walk, from which the Vatican is roughly 15 minutes by direct tube. In other words, we’re perfectly placed for virtually all of Rome’s top sights.
 

We stroll to the Trevi Fountain on our first afternoon, down cobbled streets and past tiny churches. Even with the crowds, Nicola Salvi’s 18th-century masterpiece, with its sculptures, arches and tumbling cascades still impresses. We continue up Via Corso, meandering off the main street occasionally down narrow alleyways, and pausing at a nondescript coffee shop with excellent bevvies and even more delicious cannoli. Past Via dei Condotti’s luxury boutiques, we arrive at Piazza di Spagna, and climb the graceful Spanish Steps up to the Trinità dei Monti’s viewpoint. We’re just around the corner from our hotel, but with some cajoling (and the promise of gelato), we detour instead through the Villa Borghese gardens, past kids swinging in playgrounds, couples relaxing on benches and groups of picnicking friends to arrive back at the tranquillity of our hotel.

Every morning at Settimo begins with breakfast, a thoughtful buffet of French and Roman delights: flaky, buttery croissants from the brand's signature La Haute Croissanterie collection sit alongside homemade cakes, plus a generous spread of Italian cold cuts and cheeses. There’s also a choice of hot dishes, and over the course of our stay, we sample everything from the eggs Benedict (poached with smoked salmon and hollandaise) to an Italian-style omelette with cacio e pepe (pecorino romano and black pepper). 
 

We love how unhurried it all is. Breakfast at Settimo, with the city already warming up outside and the terrace catching the early light, invites you to sit longer than you planned. We order pancakes and waffles. We read. Someone has a second croissant. The teenager sneaks in a third. And Rome waits to be discovered.
 

On Sunday, we decide to linger a little longer and try the seasonal Le Brunch by Sofitel. Here, the Franco-Italian concept continues. Quiche Lorraine alongside Bassiano prosciutto crudo. Perfectly buttered French toast beside fresh-baked local breads. The children eat their bodyweight in cheese and pastries; we start with a glass of Pommery Brut Apanage and a classic Aperol Spritz. The dome of St Peter’s Basilica sits on the horizon, slightly hazy now in the midday warmth, and we know that although we’ve only been in Rome for a few days, staying at Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese has already made us feel at home here.

• Families who want the space and ease of an apartment with the service of a five-star hotel
• Couples looking for a romantic base in the heart of Rome, with a rooftop terrace and sunset views to match
• Foodies ready to discover outstanding Roman cuisine, seven floors above the city
• Culture seekers who want the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and the Borghese Gallery all within a short stroll
• Anyone who has ever wanted to end a day in Rome with a handcrafted cocktail and a view of the whole city spread out below them

• A location that puts all of Rome within reach. With virtually all of Rome’s key sights easily accessible on foot or by metro, you’ll have more time to actually see them.
• A rooftop terrace that makes everything feel like an event. Whether you're here for a long, unhurried dinner or a nightcap with a view, this lush terrace is both intimate and spectacular.
• A quiet neighbourhood in a city that never really stops. You return from a day of monuments and crowds to find your street calm, your hotel serene and your room a sanctuary. 
• Exceptional Roman cuisine. Executive Chef Giuseppe D'Alessio has spent over a decade refining a menu that is rooted in Roman traditions, local produce and seasonality. 
• Family-friendly without sacrificing any style. From the Deluxe Family Suite to the Petit Prince amenities and kids’ menus, Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese offers a family holiday that everyone, at every age, will enjoy.

Address: Via Lombardia 47, 00187 Rome, Italy

Transport: 500 m from Barberini metro station, or contact the hotel to arrange a private transfer