otel de Russie is a luxury 5-star hotel in the heart of Rome. It is situated on Via del Babuino between two of the city’s most famous piazzas, Piazza di Spagna and Piazza del Popolo. It has been part of the Rocco Forte Hotels collection since 2000.
The hotel boasts a rich history dating back to 1816. It was originally commissioned by Marquis Francesco Lucernari and designed by architect Giuseppe Valadier. Evolving from a noble palace with terraced gardens into a prestigious hotel, it became a cultural hub for European aristocracy, Russian intellectuals, and artists like Picasso and Jean Cocteau.
The hotel closed in the late 1940s and later became the headquarters for Italy’s national broadcaster, RAI, until 1999. In 2000, Sir Rocco Forte restored the property, bringing it back to its historic grandeur.
Hotel de Russie’s interior was reimagined by architect Tommaso Ziffer, with oversight by Olga Polizzi, Design Director for Rocco Forte Hotels. The design seamlessly blends timeless elegance with modern style, incorporating international design influences. The guest rooms and public spaces offer a luxurious yet inviting atmosphere.
Recent renovations include a redesign of the Le Jardin restaurant by artist Gio Bressana and updates to the Stravinskij Bar. In 2021, the lobby was refreshed with new furnishings, a warmer colour palette and early 20th-century artwork. The guest rooms and suites were also redesigned, with only a few remaining to be completed.
Hotel de Russie has received numerous prestigious awards, including recognition in the 2024 Travel + Leisure 500 List of the Best Hotels in the World. It also earned the 2024 One Key Hotel Award from Michelin and a Five-Star Rating from the Forbes Travel Guide. In 2023, it was ranked #1 in HOTELS Magazine’s 25×25 Top Hotels of the World and named the #1 Hotel in Rome in Conde Nast Traveler’s 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards, among other accolades.
On arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the friendly doormen, and check-in was quick and efficient. As we were early and our room wasn’t yet ready, we took the opportunity to explore the hotel’s surroundings. Later, as we were shown to our room, we were given a brief tour of the hotel.
Hotel de Russie features 120 rooms, including 34 suites. We stayed in a Superior Room with a Garden View, offering stunning views of the hotel’s Secret Garden. Our room was elegantly decorated in neutral and green tones, complemented by wooden floors.
We were welcomed with a thoughtful gift: a bottle of red wine, along with parmesan, dried fruits, and taralli, beautifully presented in glass jars.
Our king bed was incredibly comfortable, with luxurious bedding. Although the pillows provided were not to our liking, the concierge swiftly addressed the issue and delivered a new set of firmer pillows.
All rooms feature modern furnishings, with cushions crafted from fabrics by Zimmer + Rohde. The timeless furniture includes tables by Porta Romana, Potacco chairs, custom TV stands by Porada, and hand-woven rugs from San Patrignano.
The rooms are equipped with modern amenities, including smart TVs, air conditioning, WiFi, USB charging ports, international adaptors and minibars.
Each room has a Nespresso coffee machine with capsules, a Smeg kettle, and tea-making facilities are available upon request. Both still and sparkling water are provided.
An iron and an ironing board are available on request.
Our marble bathroom was compact, featuring a spacious walk-in shower. A powerful GHD hairdryer is supplied. One of those small luxuries that makes all the difference.
Plush, Rocco Forte Hotels embroidered bathrobes and slippers are provided. Our room was stocked with Irene Forte toiletries and skincare products, which are made from Sicilian plant extracts.
The turndown service was exceptional, with an Irene Forte Pistachio Face Mask placed on the bed, clothes neatly folded, and make-up arranged on towels, all carefully positioned. Our swimwear was even hung on hangers in the shower, demonstrating meticulous attention to detail. As our toothpaste was running low, they kindly provided us with a new tube. After a long day of exploring, these thoughtful touches made our stay even more enjoyable.
Hotel de Russie’s historic Secret Garden, originally designed by Giuseppe Valadier in the 19th century, lies at the base of Pincio Hill and Villa Borghese. Restored in 2020 by architect Pietro Paolo Lateano, the garden showcases neoclassical features, including terraces, balustrades, statues, and fountains.
Hotel de Russie features one restaurant, Le Jardin, and two bars Stravinskij Bar and Aquazzura Bar.
Breakfast is served daily in Le Jardin from 7AM to 10.30AM. In the winter months, guests dine in a beautifully decorated glass conservatory. In April, the conservatory is removed, and breakfast is served outdoors, offering views of the beautiful Secret Garden, weather permitting.
The buffet breakfast is plentiful, offering a wide selection of cereals, yoghurts, fresh fruit, pastries, and cakes, including banana bread and apple pie. A variety of meats and cheeses, including ham, smoked tuna, smoked salmon, smoked swordfish, and turkey are available.
In addition to the buffet, an à la carte menu is available, offering five options: an omelette with ricotta, “Gricia” scrambled eggs, tomato and basil with almond ricotta, caramelized Maitozzo with strawberries, and lemon sorbet. However, it’s possible to order nearly any hot breakfast item, including eggs cooked to order and pancakes.
The staff and service were exceptional – with one waiter memorising our coffee order from the previous day, and another teaching us some Italian!
Le Jardin is renowned for its exceptional Italian cuisine, curated by Chef Fulvio Pierangelini. Together with Executive Chef Alessandro Buffolino, he creates vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired dishes that honour traditional Italian flavours. Lunch is served here from 12.30PM to 3PM, and dinner from 7.30PM to 10.30PM.
In the evening, the à la carte menu features Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe, Spaghetti with fresh tomato and basil, and Lamb “scottadito” with wild chicory.
We had a fantastic dinner at Le Jardin, which was an exceptional experience from start to finish. Our meal began with calamari, prawns, and courgette flower tempura, followed by linguine with clams as the main course. My husband opted for the Lasagnetta with traditional ragu, a dish recommended by our waiter, and it did not disappoint. For dessert, the tiramisu was divine.
The food was outstanding, and the service was equally impressive, with attentive and friendly staff throughout. The wine list, with 67 pages of carefully curated selections ranging from €36 to €2,800, offered something for every taste and occasion. All in all, it was a standout dining experience we won’t soon forget.
Stravinskij Bar offers an extensive cocktail menu in a refined, stylish setting. The food menu features light bites, including sandwiches, salads and pastas. We enjoyed a pre-dinner drink here, served with three complimentary canapés that were both creative and delicious. The ambiance was relaxed yet sophisticated. The service was excellent.
Aquazzura Bar, a new addition in collaboration with the luxury Italian footwear brand, opened on 10th April 2025. It offers a selection of tequila-based cocktails and small bites, served on exclusive “Secret Garden” tableware. Although it wasn’t open during our stay, we saw it being prepared for launch.
The De Russie Spa is a 600m² space featuring a five treatment rooms, hydrotherapy pool, Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, steam room and a fully equipped gym with Technogym equipment. Guests can enjoy a range of treatments, including facials by Swiss Perfection and holistic therapies such as Aromatherapy, Shiatsu, Reiki, and Ayurveda.
Unfortunately, the spa was closed for refurbishment during our stay, so we were unable to experience this amenity. However, we were offered access to the Irene Forte Spa and fitness studio at the hotel’s nearby sister property, Hotel de la Ville.
Hotel de Russie features two boutique shops offering a curated selection of luxury goods, 100% Capri, known for its high-end clothing and footwear and Fürst, a fine jewellery store.
Our stay at Hotel de Russie was truly amazing. The staff went above and beyond, offering exceptional service that made us feel right at home. The concierge team was extremely helpful, assisting with restaurant bookings, printing documents, and ensuring every need was met.
The location, nestled in the heart of Rome, was perfect for exploring the city’s attractions. The hotel itself is beautiful, blending classic Roman elegance with contemporary luxury. As with all Rocco Forte Hotels, the high standards of hospitality were evident in every detail.
Read our review of Hotel de Russie’s sister hotel, Hotel de la Ville, here.
For more information, visit https://www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/hotel-de-russie/.
