Six Senses Rome

In short… A very central, design-forward hotel in Rome with standout service, excellent food, and a refreshingly low-key approach to wellness.

The surroundings… If all roads lead to Rome, within Rome it feels like all roads lead to Via del Corso, a main artery of the city that connects Piazza del Popolo to Piazza Venezia. The Six Senses Rome is set in the old Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini, right on Via del Corso and steps from the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon, but the hotel manages to feel like an oasis of calm in the center of what can sometimes be a frenzied area. 

The backstory… The palazzo was built in the 18th century by Tomaso De Marchis, and served as residence for many noble Romans over the years. Most recently, designer Patricia Urquola reimagined it as a hotel, preserving many of the building’s stately details. The facade is a registered historic site protected by the Roman municipality, and was very meticulously restored, along with the grand marble staircase in the center of the hotel. 

The vibe… This is Six Senses’ first urban hotel, a departure for the brand that’s known for its wellness-focused, eco-conscious resorts across Europe and Asia. The open lobby flows into a low, plant-filled seating area and dark green marble bar, mirrored on the opposite side of a glass wall by an open-air version of the same semi-circular bar, framed by terracotta-hued steel beams above. Just beyond is the Bivium restaurant, and together the bar, restaurant, and courtyard make up one colorful, convivial space. It all feels loungey, cool, and inviting. It’s also a great place to work—one afternoon, I set up in the open-air courtyard, surrounded by elegant Romans in meetings, tropical plants and a bright blue sky overhead. 

The crowd was chic and seemed to lean a bit woo-woo—in passing, I heard gravelly-voiced expats talking about their ex-boyfriends by zodiac sign, and a Gen Alpha kid asked his mom to order him a green juice from room service. I could have sworn I saw Emma Roberts in the spa’s caldarium…

The rooms… We stayed in one of their deluxe rooms, which was sleek and spacious, with a walk-in closet and small sitting area. The design leaned earthy and textural: travertine stone floors, walls finished in cocciopesto and tambour panelling, and a sculptural orb-shaped light near the bed draped with a hanging plant.

The food… was equally indulgent and nourishing. I’m not usually someone who eats at the hotel on repeat, but the breakfast was so good the first morning that we ended up going back every day. There was a generous spread of vegetables, fruits, cheeses, breads, yogurts, chia seed puddings—plus a made-to-order menu with eggs, toasts, and smoothies. The daily-changing juices and granolas (I still think about the coconut, goji berry and pistachio one) were my favorite. 

Bivium, the main restaurant, has a produce-forward menu and a warm, lively energy thanks to its open kitchen and wood-fired pizza oven at the center. For dinner we had a great salad and pumpkin dish that hit the spot after a few days of pasta. On weekends, there’s live music, which adds to the vibe. Notos, the rooftop restaurant, wasn’t open for the season yet when we visited, but I peeked up there and it looks like it would be a really fun spot for dinner or drinks when the weather’s warm.

The wellness… is where Six Senses Rome shines. At check-in, fresh off a red-eye, I was greeted with a warm towel and some tea in their bright, plant-filled, terrarium-like lobby. While they scanned my passport, I scanned the chalkboard listing the day’s wellness events and workshops—a signature at all Six Senses properties. Sun salutations, herbal sachet-making, and sustainability tours were all on the docket for those interested. One afternoon, my mom joined a cocktail class and came away with a low-ABV vermouth spritz recipe she still makes at home months later.

The spa is expansive, anchored by a subterranean Roman bathhouse open to both hotel guests and day spa visitors. Nearly every surface is clad in travertine stone, with a series of pools, a steam room, and a sauna where you can play Goldilocks until you find just-right temperature to steep in. After a long day of walking around the city, it was incredibly restorative.

The gym is another highlight on the ground floor with soft lighting, new Technogym equipment, and free weights. There are a dozen or so fitness classes each week, from HIIT and TRX to aerial yoga and an intriguing “Fire Ceremony.” You’ve also got some great running routes right at your doorstep. Head right onto Via del Corso for about a mile and you’ll land at the bottom of the Borghese Gardens, a delightful place to get lost for a few miles. Or turn left and make your way to the Colosseum, then loop back along the Tiber River. 

Good for families?… Yep! I went with my mom and it was a perfect mother-daughter getaway, but I also saw big multi-gen families enjoying breakfast together at Bivium. The hotel has connecting rooms and spacious suites with multiple bedrooms, kitchens and private terraces—they can arrange babysitting and even packing/unpacking services as well.

Extra tip goes to… The staff was all around very warm and friendly, and always greeted us by name when we came back to the hotel. Jesús at Bivium gave us great recommendations on what to order.

Be sure to… have an aperitivo on the roof terrace! The views are amazing and the herb garden is wonderfully fragrant. 

Parting words… I loved the Italian approach to wellness that didn’t feel overly restrictive or overly indulgent, just warm, hospitable and rooted in the simple desire for you to feel good—whether that means a ginger shot or gin martini to you.

Dates of stay… March 20-23, 2025