Six Senses Rome

It’s not easy to build in a city as deeply historical as Rome, and many hoteliers are forced to make compromises. Once you’re at the level of a Six Senses, however, it seems anything is possible. Six Senses Rome, like so many other Roman hotels, occupies a historical palace, in this case the 18th-century Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini, a former cardinal’s residence whose exteriors and architecture have been meticulously restored and preserved.

Inside, however, the sky was apparently the limit for designer Patricia Urquiola; this, like any Six Senses, is as thoroughly modern a luxury hotel as you’ll find anywhere in the world. The rooms pay tribute to Rome’s history but feel more directly inspired by contemporary Italian luxury design, and while they start out at a relatively compact 28 square meters, the top-tier suites are vast — and at all levels they’re as comfortable as can be.

The spa, naturally, is a lavish one, a Roman bath to end all Roman baths. The restaurants, too, are thoughtfully crafted, from the rooftop terrace at NOTOS to the all-day, ultra-sustainable BIVIUM, whose modern Roman-Sicilian menu is half plant-based and all locally sourced.