The eternal city is eternally full of 5-star hotel options, making it one of the best cities in the world for luxury travelers. The St. Regis Rome is a top option, and where I stayed on a recent trip. This hotel is more than just a place to sleep—it’s an experience that blends the opulence of a palace with the comforts of modern amenities.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor to the city or a seasoned traveler, the St. Regis Rome promises a stay you won’t forget. Located just a stone’s throw from popular attractions like the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and Piazza della Repubblica, it’s the perfect base for exploring the heart of the Eternal City. My St. Regis Rome review will share what I loved and where the hotel fell short, but ultimately, it should absolutely sell you on a future trip.
Location
The location of the St. Regis Rome is ideal for anyone looking to explore the city’s most iconic sights. It’s within a minute walk to Piazza della Repubblica, and just a short distance from the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. The hotel’s proximity to the central train station (Termini Station) makes it easy to get around, whether you’re planning to explore Rome or take a day trip to other parts of Italy.
The common areas of the hotel are stunning, especially the Le Grand Hotel-inspired lobby and the Lumen Garden, where you can enjoy a peaceful afternoon tea or a quiet moment with a book. The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi, which was reliable throughout our stay—a small but important detail for those of us who need to stay connected.
First Impressions
The moment we stepped into the St. Regis Rome, I was in awe. The hotel’s grandeur is immediately apparent, from the giant Murano glass chandelier that graces the lobby to the intricate marble columns that frame the entrance. The front desk staff welcomed us with such elegance and poise, offering a seamless check-in experience. However, I did notice that the formality of the service could come across as a bit stiff, which might not be to everyone’s liking.
The hotel exudes old-world charm while still offering all the modern amenities you’d expect from a luxury hotel. With its close proximity to landmarks like Palazzo Barberini and Villa Borghese, you’re perfectly situated for a cultural adventure in Rome. Plus, the easy access to Termini Station makes it convenient for getting around the city or catching a train to your next destination.
Rooms
We had the opportunity to experience two different room types during our stay. The hotel does not offer rooms large enough for a family of four or more, so we decided to book two rooms. The hotel staff was in contact with me prior to our arrival and confirmed that they were working to provide us connecting rooms, which I appreciated. At check in, they offered to upgrade us to a suite that connected to a standard room. It was the best of both worlds!
The suite was a St. Regis Suite connected to a Deluxe Room with beautiful fabrics and elegant decor. The room had large windows that opened up to a view of the bustling city below, and the French doors leading to the small courtyard were a nice touch. The living room area was cozy yet luxurious, and the marble bathroom, equipped with Acqua di Parma toiletries, felt like a private spa.
The second room was the Deluxe Room, which was even more luxurious, though it had a few quirks. This room featured gorgeous light blue and silver decor and a sophisticated black marble bathroom that added a touch of drama. It had two twin beds, which were perfect for our kids.
However, the room was a bit warm, and adjusting the climate control didn’t seem to help much. The bathroom was beautiful with its black marble design, but it lacked adequate shelf space, making it slightly inconvenient for our stay.
Both rooms had bottles of complimentary water and the hotel surprised us with welcome gifts for the adults and the kids, which I have seen in only a handful of hotels around the world. That it was a useful gift for kids, a watch, was even more special. The hotel really knocked it out of the park with that one!
However, the experience wasn’t perfect. I found out on the 3rd night our 5-night stay that our suite came with the 24-hour St. Regis butler service, which is a signature of St. Regis Hotels. It felt like a huge oversight that the associate checking us in did not mention it and that our butler never proactively contacted us. The service offers a variety of helpful services, such as unpacking and repacking your bags and a complimentary pressing of our clothes.
We shared this oversight with the hotel management team and they were both apologetic and receptive to our feedback. They offered us a complimentary drink and appetizer at the hotel bar, which we appreciated and smoothed over the experience.
Dining Experience
Dining at the St. Regis Rome was truly a treat. Each morning, we enjoyed the breakfast buffet, which was held in a stunning dining room that felt like stepping back in time.
The quality of the breakfast was high, featuring a variety of fresh fruits, pastries, cold and hot dishes. The egg station was a highlight, where you could order custom omelets, and the freshly brewed coffee was the perfect way to start the day.
They also have a fresh juice station where you could make a custom blend of juiced vegetables and fruits, which I haven’t seen at other luxury hotels. It was a “surprise and delight” moment that I’m still thinking about even now.
Breakfast also included some live music on a few of the mornings we were there and it was honestly so special. A five-piece string band in formal wear played classical versions of well-known pop songs a-la-Bridgerton and I couldn’t get enough.
The food could have been terrible, which it absolutely wasn’t, and I would still recommend the brunch because the ambience was so good. Weirdly, however, they only played on two days and neither was on a weekend, when the brunch was the busiest.
St. Regis hotels are known for their signature Bloody Marys, if you didn’t know. One afternoon, I indulged in a Bloody Mary at Le Grand Bar, a must-visit within the hotel. At this hotel, they call it the Red Admiral.
It was perfectly spiced and complemented by the sophisticated atmosphere of the bar. However, it was served in a very small, ho-hum glass with a wildly oversized celery stick and no other garnish. It was not at all the presentation that you would expect from a $20 cocktail and made me feel like they had just thrown it together.
It should be noted that we did find that the breakfast area could get quite busy, and on one occasion, we had to wait longer than expected for a table. Keep that in mind when planning out your morning.
In the evening, we visited the Queen Bee Lounge. It’s a romantic location with live music, making it a popular spot for both hotel guests and locals. The lounge was beautifully decorated with sumptuous fabrics and had a warm, inviting vibe.
However, due to its popularity, it was a bit overcrowded during our visit, which slightly detracted from the experience.
Another thing to keep in mind: ask for kids menus. We weren’t offered kids menus, even with our children in tow, and it would have been nice to know ahead of time that they offered kids meals. We ended up leaving the hotel to eat lunch one day because nothing on the regular menu appealed to our kids, when they actually had a kids menu the whole time!
Service
The service at the St. Regis Rome was mostly impeccable. The St. Regis butler service is as good as advertised (once you know about it…), with the staff always going above and beyond to make our stay memorable. We also saw the champagne sabering, another St. Regis tradition, that added a unique touch to our stay.
One standout moment was finding a bottle of champagne and a personalized note in our room. This was a nice touch that made us feel truly valued.
However, there were a few minor hiccups, like one day when our room wasn’t serviced until late in the afternoon. Also, the concierge primarily handles communication via the hotel’s app. I found the delay in response time to be overly long and sometimes requests were not acknowledged at all.
This became particularly problematic when we asked the hotel to reserve a babysitter for us. The hotel notes that they need 24 hours of notice to fulfill such a request, which we provided. We waited many hours without receiving a response, and followed up several times. The hotel was unable to confirm whether a babysitter would be available, and we made other plans.
In reality, they did secure us a babysitter but never told us, meaning that our babysitter was sitting in the hotel lobby for several hours while we were out exploring Rome with our kids. I felt terrible for wasting her time, and we were still expected to pay for her hours. It was not a good experience at all. If I have one tip, it is to stop by the concierge desk in person rather than rely on the chat feature, even though they push you to use it.
Spa and Fitness
The Sisley Paris Spa at St. Regis Rome is well-known for its luxurious treatments, though I didn’t have the chance to visit this time. However, I did check out the fitness center, which is small but well-equipped with everything from treadmills to free weights. The fitness center was clean and bright and was empty when we visited. Both the spa and the gym are tucked away, meaning that noise shouldn’t be a problem for guests even if the services are in use.
Overall Impression
Overall, my recent trip to the St. Regis Rome was a luxurious escape in the center of Rome, with a few minor issues that didn’t overshadow the overall experience. From the grand staircases adorned with intricate details to the elegant rooms filled with modern amenities, this hotel is truly a gem among Rome’s luxury hotels. While there were some small drawbacks, entirely on the service side, the charm and opulence of the St. Regis more than made up for it.
If you’re planning a trip to Rome, whether it’s your first time or a return visit, I recommend staying at the St. Regis Rome. It’s a perfect blend of old-world elegance and modern luxury, and its location in the heart of the Eternal City makes it an unbeatable choice for exploring everything Rome has to offer.
