If you’re a Londoner craving a romantic, art-drenched city break that’s equal parts stylish and soul-stirring, allow me to introduce you to your next destination: Rome.
But not just any Rome, Rome with a home base as refined as it is inspiring: art’otel Rome Piazza Sallustio, a five-star boutique hotel where luxury meets creativity, and where every corridor whispers with cultural intention.
From the moment I stepped into the sleek lobby, just moments from Villa Borghese and Via Veneto, I knew this wasn’t your standard five-star stay.
The hotel is dripping with design, from the soft-lit art gallery showcasing a jaw-dropping collection by Signature Artist Pietro Ruffo, to the softly scented lounge areas that feel like a Milan Fashion Week afterparty, minus the chaos.
Ruffo, whose collaborations include the likes of Dior and Valentino (and even the Vatican Library), lends his dreamy, constellation-inspired touch throughout the property including in the suite where I stayed, and where I may or may not have considered moving in permanently.
I stayed in one of the junior suites - a spacious, chic sanctuary with a private balcony and a bed big enough to stage a small play.
The kind of space where the Dyson Airwrap and Roberts Radio casually sit on your dressing table, as if to say: yes, we thought of everything.
The bathroom was so glossy and marble-clad it felt like I was brushing my teeth inside a Botticelli painting.
After exploring our beautiful rooms of the trip, we were whisked away on a Vespa Side Cart Tour, and this was a fever dream.
A pink Vespa was naturally my vehicle of choice (as a certified girly-girl), and by sheer cosmic coincidence, it happened to belong to our tour guide himself.
With a professional driver at the wheel and our helmets securely fastened, we cruised through cobbled side streets that suddenly opened up to breath taking views of iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, and Castel Sant'Angelo.
The sun was shining, the wind in my hair was very Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday, and by the time we stopped for gelato and pastries with a splash of Aperol Spritz, I was wishing to the Roman gods that this could become my full-time lifestyle.
Later, we found ourselves at one of the world’s most talked-about locations - the Vatican City.
Led by our guide Matteo, we wandered through centuries of religious history, learned about the papal conclave and even stood beneath Michelangelo’s ceiling in the Sistine Chapel.
I’ve never been an art enthusiast, but something about seeing the story painted across that ceiling moved me in a way I didn’t expect.
Dinner that night was at Fiaschetteria Marin, an old-school Roman restaurant with wooden furniture and candlelit corners.
We shared plates of cured meats, vegetables, and my first (glorious) carbonara of the trip.
Breakfast at art’otel the next morning set the tone: Eggs Benedict, sugared doughnuts, fruit, and a cinnamon latte that could bring the dead back to life.
After a leisurely morning of wandering around the Spanish Steps and indulging in a little self-timed touristy glamour, it was time to get floury.
We joined a cooking class with InRome Cooking near Piazza Navona, where I made tiramisu and two types of pasta from scratch under the guidance of a passionate chef.
Prosecco flowed, aprons were donned, and by the end of it, I had somehow produced restaurant-worthy carbonara and an espresso-soaked dessert that my nonna would be super proud of.
Back at art’otel, we were later treated to a private art tour led by Pietro Ruffo himself.
He walked us through the collection, including installations inspired by constellations, maps of the modern world, and the poetic tension between nature and architecture.
Seeing the Cancer-themed penthouse and the moving video installation in the gallery added layers of meaning to our stay; this hotel isn’t just a place to sleep; it’s a place to feel.
Dinner was at the hotel’s YEZI Restaurant & Bar, which serves refined Asian dishes with theatrical flair.
The duck spring rolls were standout, but the dessert - a misty, dry-ice-covered display of ice cream and creams - felt like floating through a Willy Wonka dream.
Paired with the perfect wine and warm, thoughtful service, it was my favourite meal of the entire trip.
Our final day was no wind-down as we were back in the streets early, snapping pictures of the Trevi Fountain (yes, I threw a coin and made a wish) and joining Francesca, our lively guide for a Roman Street Food Tour.
We sampled meats at a local market, devoured slice(s) of crisp margherita pizza, and learned about the city’s Jewish quarter and its wartime history.
The afternoon ended on a high: a gelato cone of cookies and cream, eaten in the sun.
Rome is a dream for art lovers, foodies, history buffs, and hopeless romantics.
But what makes this trip stand out is art’otel Rome Piazza Sallustio.
It offers the elegance and design savvy that Londoners appreciate, while delivering warmth, authenticity, and unexpected joy in every detail.
Grab the Vespa helmet, leave the umbrella, and go find your la dolce vita in Rome this summer.
