Few cities are as magical as the Eternal City come Christmastime. The pastel colours of Rome’s frescoed villas shimmer in frost-sparkled winter light, while ancient cobblestones, lit up by artful Christmas decorations, reflect the age-old serenity of the many central city ruins. At Piazza del Popolo, the towering Christmas tree dwarves its millennia-old obelisk; while at the Colosseum, the megalithic spruce stands where Nero’s colossal bronze once towered over spectators, a modern-age marvel.
In the heart of Rome, the elegant Hotel de la Ville presides over the festive city in all its glory. Peerlessly positioned just below the Borghese Gardens atop the Spanish Steps, its exquisite roof terrace, transformed into a winter wonderland for Christmas, overlooks the constellation of sparkling lights twinkling throughout Rome.
Yet the real show is on the inside. This year, Hotel de la Ville has partnered with the debonair Italian fashion maison Missoni. A family-run brand with a prestigious reputation in the world of design, their values reflect those of Hotel de la Ville, designed by Olga Polizzi and Tomasso Ziffer, and indeed of Rocco Forte Hotels.
Usually famous for their cloud-like knitwear and composed designs, this year Missoni have lit up our 3-metre-tall Christmas tree with elegantly decorated Missoni boxes and specially made baubles, originally designed by Luca Missoni for their family tree in 1996. Until January 12th 2020, this lavish tree will grace our historic palazzo’s 18th century Print Room where the peacock greens, Fabergé yellows and Piranesi-esque prints of the historic salle will be delightfully echoed by the Missoni display.
Across the wider Hotel de la Ville interiors, flamboyant floral arrangements by Sebastian Flowers Italy will be on display. The floral architects are behind the most mesmerising Christmas menageries in Italy, and the delicate blooms chosen to adorn our hotel perfectly complement its design.
Throughout Hotel de la Ville, Missoni’s impeccable style, Sebatian Flowers’ flourishes and Rocco Forte Hotels’ immortal elegance combine for sensational displays, not found anywhere else in the Eternal City. Soak up this unique festive atmosphere with a 3-night suite stay as part of our Forte Escapes offer and enjoy a complimentary night, the benefits of the Rocco Forte Suite Experience and exclusive in-suite VIP amenities by Missoni.
Book your stay at Hotel de la Ville and experience the confluence of Italian heritage design by emailing reservations.delaville@roccofortehotels.com or calling +39 06 977931.
The festive season brings its own kind of sparkle - a flurry of celebrations, feasts, and time with those who matter most. To make gifting simple, we’ve curated a selection of bespoke experiences to delight everyone on your list. From candlelit dinners and Italian wine tastings to tranquil spa escapes and moments devoted to yourself, each experience thoughtfully crafted to offer moments of joy.
In a time when beauty shaped every facet of life — from the curve of a staircase to the vivid bloom of a painted iris — Italy’s Stile Liberty captured the optimism of a new century. Across Europe in the late 19th century, the Belle Époque blurred the line between art and the everyday, celebrating craftsmanship, elegance, and expressive freedom. Now, a new cultural itinerary, From Mucha to Florio, traces that movement between Hotel de la Ville in Rome and Villa Igiea in Palermo, two different cities, two glorious expressions of the same artistic impulse.
Preparations were in full swing at the North Pole - ribbons tied, sleigh bells polished, and lists checked twice - yet Father Christmas kindly agreed to pause his busy schedule for an interview. We met him at SCOTCH at The Balmoral, just as the famous clocktower struck 12:03 - it stands watch over Waverley Station, running three minutes fast, so no one ever misses a train. Settled into a deep armchair with a favourite dram in hand, he shared his most treasured places to pause, indulge and unwind across Europe every festive season.
