Lord Byron
Via Giuseppe De Notaris 5, Rome, Italy, 00197
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#5 of 40
expert-rated hotels in Rome- Recommended for:
- Culture vultures, Foodies, Honeymooners, Mature travellers, Design and architecture, Special occasions
Expert review of Lord Byron
Rome’s most exclusive and eclectic luxury option is more home than hotel.
I’d put my rich uncle here, if I had one. One of Rome’s most original and intimate luxury hotels, the Lord Byron lies in proud seclusion just north of the Borghese Gardens. It’s like walking into the home of a very elegant, well-off connoisseur of art and antiques, and in a way that’s just what it is: owner Amedeo Ottaviani, former president of Italian tourist board ENIT, is a keen collector with a special interest in Art Deco. This is one of those hotels where you feel there’s no suggestion of corporate balance sheets and economies of scale, just a sincere desire to make the place as stylish as possible. If you really want privacy, just do what Michael Jackson did back in happier times: book the whole hotel and move in with friends, family and entourage.
Location:
In a swanky residential area sprinkled with foreign embassies and consulates, the Lord Byron offers lots of green space and easy road access. To the north of the Villa Borghese, it’s not exactly central, though one essential cultural draw – the Borghese Gallery (Galleria Borghese) – is within walking distance.
Bedrooms:
The 32 individually-decorated rooms are united by their warm colours, crisp white bedlinen and retro furniture and light fittings; the effect is both opulent and welcoming. Bathrooms are done out with lashings of Carrara marble.
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Public areas:
These are just spectacular: a whole suite of ground floor rooms hung with Belle Epoque oil paintings and adorned with Art Deco antiques invite you to put on that linen suit and loll on a sofa. There’s even a real fireplace which is lit on cold winter days.
Eating and drinking:
The marble-lined bar does everything from Afternoon Tea to cocktails, but the hotel’s real claim to fame is its gourmet ‘Sapori di Lord Byron’ restaurant, which attracts quite a bit of outside custom and high-level business trade. If you’re at all interested in wine, ask to see the wine cellar: one of the best-stocked in Rome, it recently picked up a Wine Spectator award.
Leisure facilities:
This is one area where the hotel does not excel: it’s far too refined for things like gyms and spas. But nearby Villa Borghese has plenty of walking and running trails.
Service:
Head concierge Andrea is a great source of tips and advice on places to eat, drink and visit.
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Who stays there:
A high-end business and leisure clientele, some at least attracted by the hotel’s Leading Small Hotels affiliation. The hotel is also well-placed for those driving into the city from the north.
Pros:
A lovely cultured refuge in a leafy upscale suburb
One of Rome’s top hotel restaurants and wine cellars
Top-notch concierge service
Cons:
Out-of-the-way location
WiFi is an expensive extra
More information on Lord Byron:
- Price from:
- Type:
- Hotel
- Address:
- Via Giuseppe De Notaris 5, Rome, Italy, 00197
- Amenities:
- High-Speed Internet, Parking, Pets Allowed, Restaurant, Room Service
- Neighbourhood:
- Villa Borghese
