Recently in Rome Category

Every Roman has an opinion of the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument, and most of them are, shall we say, unfavorable. Its detractors find it too large and ostentatious, and it has been described as resembling false teeth, a typewriter, and a wedding cake. But love it or not, it's here to stay, and visitors can still find plenty of beauty amid its aesthetic misfires. Built in the early 20th century to honor a unified Italy's first king, it contains a tomb of the unknown soldier, as well as a museum of Italian reunification. But the most popular part of it is its roof deck, which recently got a whole lot easier to visit. The new Rome from the Sky elevator takes visitors on a thrilling ride to the top of the monument, where a sweeping panorama of Rome and its suburbs spreads out in all directions. Even those who claim to dislike the monument love the view from up top, because the one thing you can't see from up there is the monument itself. Guests at the Hotel Eden or any of Starwood's Rome properties can decide for themselves how the monument stacks up against the city's ancient gems.

recent articles

more More

Just 30 kilometers from Rome is the hill town of Nemi, one of the most picturesque and unspoiled comunes in all of Italy. A peaceful counterpoint to the hustle and bustle of Rome, Nemi has two major claims to history. Its namesake lake was the focus of the Cult of Diana, who believed it served as a "looking glass" for the goddess of hunting and wilderness. Later, the notorious emperor Caligula built several opulent barges that he used on the lake, the remnants of which remain today. But if that's not enough to justify a visit to this charming town, how about its annual Strawberry Festival? Every May and June, it draws visitors from all over the country to sample its sweet local strawberries at the Sagra delle Fragola. The small, wild strawberries grow abundantly in the rich soil of the volcanic crater, and during the festival, local restaurants use the mild, balanced berries in recipes that range from sorbet to fruit salad to the always popular strawberry liqueur. Sounds like a sweet way to absorb ancient Roman history. Nemi is an easy day trip for guests at the St. Regis Grand Hotel, Rome, or any of Starwood's Rome properties.

recent articles

more More

Rome can get expensive if you're not careful, so we've found a few inexpensive, but very tasty options to help maximize your budget during your stay at the Hotel Eden.

Pizzerias are everywhere (of course), and often offer more on their menus than just pies. L'Isola della Pizza near the Vatican Metro stop is known for its antipasti, while Panattoni, aka "Ai Marmi" or "l'obitorio" because of its long marble-topped tables, is one of the best for Roman style pizza.

Tapas isn't a typical Roman thing, but small plate dining is budget-friendly and perfectly suited to trying lots of phenomenal Italian ingredients. Primo in the Pigneto district does it nicely, with a wide variety of dishes in a sleek space. Be sure to order off the specials list, peruse the ample wine list and save room for a chocolate tartufo for dessert.

Or skip dessert and head to one of the many gelato shops that do the city. Il Gelato di San Crispino is considered by many to be the best, but anywhere with the word artigianale ("homemade") on the sign is likely to hit the spot.

recent articles

more More

Starpick the Westin Excelsior, Rome

Tuesday February 24, 2009

Westin Excelsior Rome Sign 200.jpgThe Via Vittorio Veneto is one of the most beautiful and exclusive streets in all of Rome, having been immortalized in Federico Fellini's 1960 film La Dolce Vita. Lined with upscale boutiques, galleries, and restaurants, it's the epitome of Italian high society, and a stroll along its tree-lined sidewalks is a feast for the senses. Via Veneto is also home to the Westin Excelsior, Rome, which happens to be one of this week's participating Starpicks properties. Travelers can enjoy last-minute rates of at least 20% off regular rates for stays during the next two weekends, making it easier than ever to check into one of Rome's most exquisite hotels. Since 1906, the hotel has welcomed celebrities, statesmen, and artists to the Eternal City, providing luxurious accommodations and unsurpassed service within walking distance of Rome's greatest attractions. Dance across the Spanish Steps, make a wish at the Trevi Fountain, or splurge on a new outfit at one of the world's most renowned shops. When it's time for a meal, head to the hotel's Restaurant Doney, where chef James Foglieni serves a menu of light Mediterranean classics like pumpkin ravioli with shrimp sauce and Catalan lobster. As you sip a glass of Chianti and reflect on your Roman holiday, you can begin to dream up your next great Starpicks adventure.

recent articles

more More

Palazzo Massimo.jpgYou could visit Rome a hundred times and still not see it all. The sheer volume of fine art and architecture is staggering, which makes it all the more pleasurable to get lost in a museum and gaze for hours and the masterpieces of Roman history. But you've got to start somewhere, and one of the best places to embark on a discovery of Roman art is the Palazzo Massimo. One of the museums of the National Museum of Rome, the Palazzo Massimo houses some of the finest art and artifacts of the ancient world. Fans of sculpture will appreciate works from the late Roman republic and early imperial period, such as Via Labicana Augustus, which depicts the Roman emperor Augustus (63 B.C. - 14 A.D.), and the popular Tivoli General, whose anguished visage personifies the cost of war. A variety of frescoes and mosaics illustrate what life was like 2,000 years ago, with views of verdant gardens with flowers and pomegranate trees. Perhaps most impressive is a section dedicated to coins (pictured), showing the evolution of currency throughout the empire. Since this year is the museum's 10th anniversary as a separate institution, it's celebrating with a special show featuring the Portonaccio sarcophagus, one of the finest existing pieces of second century Roman sculpture in the world. Of course, it's just one of many masterpieces in this enchanting city waiting to be rediscovered. Starwood has six properties in Rome, including the nearby St. Regis Grand Hotel, Rome.

recent articles

more More

Rome's Ancient Seaport

Wednesday December 31, 2008

There's no shortage of ancient ruins in Rome, but most seasoned travelers have done their time at the Colosseum and Pantheon. Those willing to venture beyond the city center can encounter some of the best-preserved ruins in all of the former Roman Empire at the Ostia Antica, a seaport town that reached a peak of 75,000 residents nearly two thousand years ago. Ironically, ancient Rome's harbor city is three kilometers from the sea. For centuries it was situated at the mouth of the Tigris River, but so much silt accumulated over the years that dredging was futile and it became landlocked. But deep water or not, Ostia Antica stands today as one of the best examples of a mid-sized Roman port town found anywhere. Its colorful frescoes, vast amphitheaters, public baths (with amazingly advanced plumbing), and rows of warehouses attest to the industrious nature of Romans throughout the ages. Ostia Antica is a short train or taxi ride from Starwood's Rome properties, including the Westin Excelsior, Rome.

recent articles

more More

Less than an hour from central Rome, in the town of Tivoli, lie some of the most enchanting gardens in all of Europe. The Villa d'Este, Tivoli was created in the 16th century by the Governor of Tivoli, and while the villa itself is quite breathtaking - with frescoed ceilings and a grand salon - the real attractions here are the spectacular terraced garden and its myriad water features. The early hydraulic engineers and stone masons who created it took advantage of the slope of the property and abundant fresh water from natural springs above to create giochi d'aqua (literally, "water games"), including fountains, water stairs, water chains, jets, grottoes, pools, and canals that crisscross the verdant space. Among the first Renaissance mannerist gardens of its kind to include such extensive water features, the techniques were so admired that noble families across the continent modeled their own gardens on them for the next two centuries. It's a scenic and inspiring way to connect a villa to the earth, and an excellent day trip from the Hotel Eden or any of Starwood's Rome properties.

recent articles

more More

Rome is a sprawling ancient city with so much to do it can almost seem overwhelming. That's why avid travelers know that if you really want to savor your time in Rome, it's best to slow down, relax, and really notice the beauty of the place. Villa Borghese Park is a perfect spot to do just that, with winding paths, colorful flowers, and shade trees, and it also happens to have one of the best museums in the city. The Borghese Gallery has sculptures, paintings, and various antiquities that represent the finest work of different eras, and a stroll through the museum is a welcome break from the crush that can be found at the city's better-known attractions. The museum's collection is positively brimming with masterpieces, with works like Bernini's sculptures, Il Ratto di Proserpina and Apollo and Daphne, but its true strength is in oil paintings. The gallery is particularly known for its collection of Caravaggio paintings, including the 1606 St. John the Baptist in the Desert, which illustrates faith and humanity like few other artists can. Guests at the Hotel Eden or any of Starwood's properties in the Rome area will enjoy the endless works of fine art in this fascinating museum and garden park.

recent articles

more More

A Taste of Roman Romance

Friday February 22, 2008

Valentine's Day may have come and gone, but the heart of winter is a great time to plan a romantic Roman getaway for you and your sweetheart. Book at the sumptuous Hotel Eden, right in the center of the Eternal City. It's an easy 15-minute walk from the hotel to the Pantheon, where you can stop for a cappuccino at Sant Eustachio il Caffé, a famed cafe where the coffee-making is taken so seriously that the baristas practice their craft in secret. The results are divine.

Be sure to book a table for two at Eden's rooftop restaurant, La Terrazza dell’Eden, for a breathtaking view of sunset over the church domes and bell towers. For dessert, slip over to Il Gelato di San Crispino for what many consider the best ice cream in the world. There's a location a block away from the legendary Trevi Fountain, home to Anita Ekberg's splash in Fellini's La Dolce Vita so take your cups of your favorite flavor (I'd go with the Tamnavulin scotch for the gentleman, chestnut and rum for the lady) and walk to the fountain arm in arm.

recent articles

more More

Reserve Rome with a Phone Call

Friday January 25, 2008

Lines, or queues as they say in England, can be intimidating. Smart travelers are always seeking out the best way to bypass them. Rome just made it a lot better for those of us in the know. Notoriously popular sites like the Colosseum, Villa Borghese, and National Museum of Rome can now be reserved in advanced with Rome's new "contact center" 060608. It's actually a telephone number, and for the cost of a local call (in Rome), reservations can be made, and tickets purchased for dozens of museums and events in the city.

Information on virtually all of Rome's historical, cultural, and artistic attractions is available on the website, 060608.com. The site's simple layout offers three options: "Culture and Leisure", "Events and Shows", and "Hospitality", which includes the fabulous Hotel Eden, and the luxurious Westin Excelsior in addition to four more wonderful Starwood properties in Rome. So next time you drop in on the Eternal City, drop a line to 060608 before heading out on the town. Details on the website are in both Italian and English (well, mostly), and if you see "online purchase" or "telephone purchase" under the "contatti" (contacts) section, you're good to book in advance.

recent articles

more More
  • About
  • More
Starwood Preferred Guests can now stay updated on the latest travel trends. A core group of experts – including Starwood employees and SPG members – provide updates on unique and noteworthy travel experiences around the world. Get a behind-the-scenes look at exciting Starwood travel destinations and receive daily articles using TheLobby.com widget for your blog, desktop or web page.
spg member corner
Find out recommendations from our SPG members about what to do and where to go when you're on vacation. View the Articles
q & a with spg Sign up now for Starwood Preferred Guest and discover how rewarding membership can be. sign up now
destination spotlight
DS_BuenosAires.jpg

Buenos Aires

This sophisticated, picturesque city is renowned for its European style, but its Latin American essence resonates through the sultry rhythms of its national dance, the tango. Book your trip now!
q & a with spg Looking for advice about SPG? Ask questions to our SPG insiders and other SPG members or answer the questions submitted by others. submit your question or answer