Hotel Snapshot
Stepping inside Palazzo Talìa feels a bit like going back to childhood—only this time, the playground is Rome’s history. Imagine a 16th‑century building that once housed the city’s oldest school, the Collegio Nazareno—long admired and visited by politicians, nobles, and even popes—now transformed into a contemporary hideaway removed from Rome’s tourist frenzy. There are generous spaces, a green courtyard designed by Blu Mambor, and many nods to the past, like marble statues welcoming guests at the ground floor. At the same time, there’s a subtle cinematic flair—unsurprising given that one of the minds behind the redesign is filmmaker Luca Guadagnino’s Studio (have you seen Challengers, Call Me by Your Name, I Am Love?)—marking his first foray into hospitality world.
Design & Character
Design is one of Palazzo Talìa’s standout features. Studiolucaguadagnino brings its distinctive eye to the common areas, restaurants, and bars, crafting custom furniture and décor with rich colors and a dialogue between modern elegance and historical grandeur. Think statement carpets, sculptural lighting, tactile details, and his clear passion for craftsmanship. The project also includes contributions from the architects at MIA Home Design Gallery and Laura Feroldi Studio, adding touches with a slightly retro soul. With so many creatives involved, you’d expect a clash of styles—but the result is surprisingly cohesive, refined, and refreshingly individual in a hotel industry scenery often leaning toward sameness and beigification.
The Rooms
The hotel offers 26 rooms and suites, punctuated by Elisabetta Catalano’s photographs and accompanied by a guide curated by art historian Angelica Federici, daughter of owner and real‑estate entrepreneur Elia Federici. Two suites steal the spotlight: The Terrace Suite, designed by studiolucaguadagnino, dressed in soft pastels and Guadagnino’s beloved pink hues, with an alcove‑style bed and a private terrace with jasmin flowers. The other is a Junior Suite with access to the former Aula Magna, which can be booked with two adjoining rooms to form the Talìa Suite. No, it’s not a museum.
The Food & Drink Situation
At Ristorante Tramae, chef Marco Coppola brings a Mediterranean spirit with Sorrento influences, weaving in a few Roman classics. Ingredients are sourced from local producers and from Solaria, the family’s own farm, reflecting its seaside heritage. Before lunch or dinner—especially on mild days, when the Garden Bar is irresistible—stop by the Bar della Musa, located in the Sala delle Grottesche. Here, a Martini drink feels almost mandatory, enjoyed beneath a triptych inspired by the Gardens of Ninfa, painted by young artist Delfina Scarpa.
The Spa & Wellness Scoop
The spa echoes ancient Roman baths in a modern key, also designed by studiolucaguadagnino. We would have liked a bit bigger, but the building is protected by the Fine Arts commission, so having a spa, even small and intimate, in such a significant building is super rare: it features a 33 m² heated pool clad in green tiles, a sauna, steam room, emotional shower, and an ice cascade—perfect after a day wandering Rome’s streets. There are two treatment rooms offering massages by Insium, an Italian skincare brand (the “Deep Tissue” is the star), while in‑room bath amenities are made by BioNaturalis, and inspired by the thermal waters of Vulci, where the family also runs a luxury glamping property.
Fast Facts
Location: Rome, Italy
Vibe: A sophisticated blend of classical echoes and contemporary geometry—a colorful micro‑universe where the charm of an old Roman college meets today’s design sensibility.
Rating: Five‑star
Rooms: 26
Pricing: From €700
Our Favorite Thing: The dreamy calm in the Terrace Suite; the relax in the former Aula Magna—now a lounge—admiring its frescoes; Dylan Tripp’s – well-known in Roma floral designer - motifs everywhere; the staff uniforms by Claire Crowley with a modern‑British twist; and the guest experiences, including a palace tour led by Angelica Federici and a restoration workshop with the Storti‑Merlini Studio.
Dining: Ristorante Tramae and the Garden Bar. Don’t miss the Spaghetti alla Nerano and the Gran fritto of seafood and vegetables.
Amenities: Spa; gym; restaurants; free wi-fi.
Nearby: The church of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte with its two Angels statues by Gian Lorenzo Bernini; Raffaello’s La Fornarina painting at Galleria of Palazzo Barberini; the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, and Piazza Navona—all just a short stroll away.
Airport: Rome Fiumicino – Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO), about 45 minutes by car.
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