I have been lucky enough to stay at some amazing hotels in Rome, including The Hassler (Princess Diana was a guest) and The Russie, which has possibly the prettiest courtyard in Rome. But for me nothing compares to J.K. Place Roma.
The discreet and unassuming J.K. Place entrance on Via di Monte d’Oro.
Although it’s just minutes from The Spanish Steps, J.K. Place Roma feels anything but touristy thanks in part to its position on the tiny Via di Monte d’Oro. There’s a lovely family-owned local restaurant, Arancio d’Oro, directly across from the hotel’s front doors and, at the end of the street, a small fresh food market that also serves up killer pizza and coffee. I highly recommend sipping an espresso at the stand-up bar, which is usually populated with well-dressed Romans nipping in for a caffeine fix – no one styles business suits with oversized scarves like Roman men.
That’s the market below on the right. In the morning, it is bustling with vendors and local shoppers.
All this local flavour, before you even enter J.K. Place Roma, which was designed by Michele Bonan and has sister hotels in Florence, Capri and now Paris. Walk through the doors and the stylishly uniformed staff is so adept at welcomes that you’ll be seated in the swish, sky-lit, orchid-filled lobby with a glass of Prosecco in hand before you can say buongiorno.
Design is paramount here and the lobby, which expertly melds contemporary furniture with life-size Romanesque statues, is an intimation of the style to come. By the way, that mirror-panelled door on the back wall to the right opens to reveal the elevator which, thanks to custom-made velvet bench seating and sconces, feels more like a lavish den.
This is the rosewood-lined entryway to our first room, kitted out with a welcome bottle of wine, fruit and snacks.
M&Ms and orchids are a pretty good combo in my book. The minibar’s treats and non-alcoholic drinks are complimentary and replenished daily.
Monogrammed bedding and Kelly-green walls feel upscale and inviting.
For our second stay, we upgraded to a suite with a four-poster bed and balcony. I just love the symmetry and simplicity of this design.
This is the suite’s seating area. I seriously want this Massimo Listri photograph.
The view from the balcony to fifty shades of terracotta.
The bathrooms elevate the luxury quotient with marble everywhere – even marble-striped walls.
A hidden toilet roll compartment speaks to the level of sleek going on here.
Order a drink – any drink, even a humble Perroni – and before it arrives you will be served chilled still water and enough hot and cold nibblies to eradicate the need for dinner. We stayed in October, thus the pumpkin on the bar.
The dining room features plush teal velvet banquettes and candy-apple-red leather chairs.
The cool and calm library feels worlds away from the bustle that is central Rome - I love the mix of Venetian blinds and drapery here. On our second stay at the hotel, we arrived mid-day and planned to drop our bags and head out. Before we could, staff ushered us into the library and treated us to a “quick” and very welcome glass of Prosecco. In this cocoon of elegance, it is the warmth of the service that is remarkable – it keeps the sumptuous J.K. Place down-to-earth. They get it and I can’t wait to return.
