Polizzi, Olga
“I love Berlin and I love Hotel de Rome there, it really embodies the feel of Berlin - it has to be one of the most beautiful hotel buildings in the city.”
They say the lobby is the beating heart of any hotel; where first impressions linger, inspiring journeys begin and end, and friends and lovers reunite. Upon entering Hotel de Rome, an immediate sense of calm is restored, as light pours in from the glass atrium and plants and palms breathe new life into the space. Olga Polizzi, Director of Design at Rocco Forte Hotels, shares her inspiration behind the hotel lobby’s new look.
Botanical influence
When first visualising the new design, it was important for Polizzi to convey a feeling of vitality through the space. This meant parting ways with the hotel’s famous jet-black sofas in favour of palm-patterned velvets, courtesy of the renowned British brands House of Hackney and Designers Guild, “The new design is simultaneously an ode to Berlin, and an oasis of calm in the bustling city. It’s a breath of fresh air,” she explains.
A quick scan of the floor also invites renewed interest, as Polizzi reveals the bold circle carpets from Italian designer Eco Contract offer far more than underfoot comfort, “There was both an aesthetic and practical appeal. The circular shape has a clever effect of making the room feel welcoming and intimate, despite the large space and high ceilings, while seamlessly integrating with the furniture.” Elsewhere, terracotta pots offer warmth while aiding the overall botanical theme.
Navigating changing trends
No designer can deny the pervading influence of current trends, as Polizzi explores, “Subliminally, trends do have an effect. Interior design is like fashion - it changes gently and then rather dramatically. Here, biophilia was certainly a theme of the renovations.”
Ensuring that Hotel de Rome’s lobby remains a true reflection of the city was paramount for Polizzi, who holds a distinct admiration for its unmatched style and heritage. And while the hotel looks to move away from Berlin’s more ‘edgy’ associations, there’s an identity here which remains steeped in alternative influence, marrying both contemporary preferences and the hotel’s unmistakable character.
Discover the reimagined lobby during your stay at Hotel de Rome, a welcoming space in the heart of this thriving cultural hub.
You may also like
The New Grand Tour of Italy
The Grand Tour has had its day, in the most fortunate way. What was once a rite of years is now within reach of anyone with the curiosity to make it. The prescribed list of sights has loosened too, leaving the traveller free to follow Goethe's original instinct, to stand where the present is being made as well as where the past is preserved. Today, our journey through Milan, Florence and Rome begins, as it always did, in the north…
Becoming Artemisia: A Walk Through Her Florence
In the 17th century, Artemisia Gentileschi emerged as one of the most compelling painters of her time. Her unflinching clarity and business acumen allowed her to flourish in a world dominated by men. In her hands, familiar subjects were transformed: heroines once cast as victims emerged instead as warriors. Her work gave voice to women too often silenced, not only on the canvas but in life.
Belonging to Sicily, Season by Season
Much like the island, the resort’s Rocco Forte Private Villas encourage a slower, more considered way of living. Designed by Olga Polizzi, each villa is thoughtfully arranged to bring loved ones together, while still allowing space for solitude