Hotel de Russie is the Rome hotel to book if you want a peaceful garden to come back to after a day in the city. It stands on Via del Babuino between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps and its tiered Secret Garden, with rose bushes, orange trees, old pines and a little waterfall between three nymphaeums, climbs toward the Pincio hill and Villa Borghese. Jean Cocteau called it paradise on earth in 1917 and it has been a favorite of artists, writers and film stars ever since.
The hotel belongs to Rocco Forte Hotels and the rooms were designed by Olga Polizzi in calm, classical tones. Le Jardin serves Italian cooking on a terrace at the foot of the Pincio, the Stravinskij Bar in the garden is one of Rome's favorite meeting places and the Aquazzura Bar serves tequila cocktails with small bites. The Irene Forte Spa offers a quiet escape after hours on cobblestones.
It suits couples who want five-star comfort in a walkable location for sightseeing, shopping and dining. It is a big, busy city hotel with families and business travelers too, so couples seeking an intimate boutique retreat may prefer a smaller palazzo hotel.
Highlights at a glance
- Terraced Secret Garden in central Rome
- Between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps
- Stravinskij Bar in the garden
- Irene Forte Spa
- Nijinsky Suite with a rooftop-view terrace
Why Couples Love Hotel de Russie
The garden changes everything. Rome is loud, hot and crowded in high season and coming back to a table under the orange trees for a spritz feels like stepping into a private villa. In spring, the roses are in bloom and the garden is at its most fragrant.
The location is excellent. Piazza del Popolo is at the end of the street, the Spanish Steps a short walk the other way and Via del Corso and the designer shops of Via Condotti nearby. The Pantheon and Trevi Fountain are around 15 to 20 minutes on foot. You can walk to most of the historic center and come back to rest in the afternoon.
The Stravinskij Bar is a social scene in itself, popular with Romans and visitors. Sitting there in the evening is one of the classic pleasures of the city.
Rooms and Suites to Book
Room categories run from Rooms designed by Olga Polizzi through Junior Suites to Suites, with accents inspired by Rome's history and Forte Suites with views over the city. There are also family rooms and suites.
For a honeymoon, ask for a room or suite overlooking the Secret Garden. The view of greenery is rare in central Rome and garden-facing rooms are often quieter than those facing the street. A Junior Suite gives you more space for a longer stay.
The Nijinsky Suite, named after the ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky, who was a frequent guest, has a large terrace with views over the rooftops. It has been renovated under Olga Polizzi and is one of the most romantic suites in Rome for a special occasion.
Food, Drink and the Spa
Le Jardin is the main restaurant, serving Italian cuisine on a terrace at the foot of the Pincio. Breakfast in the garden is a highlight of a stay and dinner on the terrace on a warm evening is very romantic.
The Stravinskij Bar, set in the garden, is one of the most popular meeting points in Rome. The Aquazzura Bar adds tequila cocktails and small bites by chef Fulvio Pierangelini. Both are good places for an aperitivo before heading out to dinner in the city.
The Irene Forte Spa offers a calm retreat inspired by the tranquility of the Secret Garden, with natural textures and soft lighting. Book a couples' treatment after a long day of museums. For the best restaurants in Rome, the concierge can book trattorias in Monti or Trastevere.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
Start in the morning with a walk up the Pincio terrace above Piazza del Popolo for views over the city, then continue into Villa Borghese. Book ahead for the Galleria Borghese, with its Bernini sculptures and Caravaggio paintings, since entry is by reservation only.
The Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon are within walking distance, best visited early or late in the day to avoid crowds. Book timed tickets for the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums well ahead.
In the evening, walk to Piazza Navona or cross the river to Trastevere for dinner. A food tour, a cooking class or a vespa tour with a guide can add variety. On a hot afternoon, retreat to the garden and the spa.
Getting There
Rome Fiumicino (FCO) has the most nonstop flights from the United States and is about 45 minutes from the hotel by car, depending on traffic. Ciampino (CIA), used mainly by budget carriers, is about 40 minutes. A pre-booked car or official white taxi is the easiest way in.
The Leonardo Express train runs from Fiumicino to Termini in about 30 minutes and from there a taxi to the hotel is short. With luggage, a direct car is usually less hassle.
You do not need a car in Rome. The hotel is within walking distance of most sights and the Flaminio and Spagna metro stations are nearby. Taxis are easy to find. Comfortable shoes are essential for cobblestones.
Is It Worth It?
For couples who want a classic five-star hotel with a rare garden in the center of Rome, yes. The location is excellent for walking, the garden is a real retreat and the bars and spa give you reasons to stay in. It works well as the start or finish of a longer Italy honeymoon.
The drawbacks are the size and the price. It is a large hotel with families, events and business travelers and rates in spring and autumn are high. Couples who want a small boutique hotel with more personal service might prefer a hotel in a palazzo near Piazza Navona or the Pantheon.
Spring and autumn are the best seasons in Rome. July and August are hot, though the garden helps.
Insider tips
- Ask for a garden-view room for quiet and greenery
- Book the Galleria Borghese ahead and walk there through the park
- Reserve timed tickets for the Colosseum and Vatican early
- Have an aperitivo at the Stravinskij Bar before dinner out
