The Rome EDITION delivers la dolce vita - and a masterclass in colour, craft and Roman charm
Bold colours, breathtaking craftsmanship, and that signature EDITION service. GT explores the brand's first Italian outpost in the heart of Rome.
Stepping into The Rome EDITION, you are immediately struck by the drama of the lobby. Built in the 1940s as an Italian Rationalist bank, the bones of this building are extraordinary, soaring ceilings, rare cipollino marble staircases, and original features that have been preserved with real care. But what Ian Schrager and designer Patricia Urquiola have layered on top is something truly special. Sweeping emerald green curtains cascade against the traditional stone walls, creating this incredible contrast between old Rome and the modern, now legendary, EDITION aesthetic. Welcome to The Rome EDITION.
As always with Schrager (the founder of the EDITION brand with Marriott), the foliage is front and centre. The lobby and entrance area lean heavily into that urban overgrown jungle feel, climbing plants spill over the façade and the greenery throughout gives you the sense that you've stepped into some hidden Roman garden rather than a hotel in the middle of the city. It's a signature Schrager move, but it feels particularly at home in Rome where nature and architecture have always been in conversation with one another.
The lobby extends out onto a breakfast veranda, Anima's garden terrace, which sits sunken below street level in what feels like a private courtyard. It's a really interesting and cool design choice that makes the whole space feel more secluded than it actually is. We should give a special shout out here to the EDITION restaurant staff who were, as always, absolutely phenomenal. They go so far out of their way to make you feel comfortable and relaxed, and it sets the tone for the entire stay.
What's worth noting is that The Rome EDITION sits on a quieter street just a short walk from Via Veneto. The energy is a little more pulled back compared to some of the other EDITION properties where you walk outside and you're immediately in the thick of a vibrant city scene. The result is that the lobby has more of a relaxed luxury hotel feeling rather than the buzzing social heartbeat you might find at somewhere like Madrid or New York.
Anima
Moving into Anima, the hotel's signature restaurant on the ground floor, this is where the design of The Rome EDITION really takes your breath away. There are two dining rooms, and the colour work here is some of the best implementation of the EDITION experience we have seen. One room is adorned in that gorgeous EDITION emerald green, while the other is drenched in a rich sapphire blue, almost Yves Klein in its intensity. In person, it is absolutely breathtaking and sets the scene for a dramatic dining experience. And quite frankly, that drama goes hand in hand with both the EDITION brand and Rome itself – we are in Italy after all, and that kind of theatre is right at home here. The menu, curated by Chef Antonio Gentile, celebrates the soul of Italian dining with bold flavours inspired by Rome and Naples, and the quality is top-notch.
The Rooms
The rooms are, as always, breathtaking in their minimalism and beautiful design. What really stands out here is the craftsmanship and the quality of the woodwork. Our favourite kind of EDITION hotels are the ones that don't feature the white walls you might see at somewhere like Tampa, but instead go for the full wood panelling treatment, and The Rome EDITION does this absolutely beautifully. Between the walnut wood flooring and the wood-panelled walls, you get a cosy and luxurious feel. The custom Canaletto walnut beds and Italian artwork adorning the walls give every room a distinctly Roman character.
And of course, if you've slept in one EDITION bed you know how good the bedding is - it's no different here. The bathrooms are just as well considered, finished in natural Carrara marble with brushed brass fixtures and the signature Le Labo amenities.
The Roof
The rooftop pool and terrace sit on the seventh floor and offer what might be the most spectacular view of any EDITION property. Rome's famous terracotta and ochre skyline stretches out before you, that warm, sun-baked palette that gives the city its character, offset against the blue sky in a way that is genuinely breathtaking. The view is to die for. Make sure to stop by at sunset.
In terms of the space itself, this is more comparable to the Barcelona EDITION property than somewhere like Madrid or Tampa. The pool is more of a plunge pool for a quick splash, and the seating around it is fairly limited, which means it gets busy quite quickly. We wouldn't describe it as a relaxing sunbathing space, it's more of a spot to grab a drink and socialise while taking in those extraordinary views.
The Gym
A space where the EDITION brand continually steps up with every single property opening is the gym, and The Rome EDITION is no exception. As someone who always uses the fitness facilities, this one is brilliant. You are in the basement, but the team have used the original features of the building brilliantly, the space feels bright and airy despite the lack of natural light, and the layout is impressive. It's a mid-size setup with plenty of equipment, but we wouldn't even describe this as a hotel gym. It feels more like a luxury health club, private to hotel guests, so you're only ever sharing with one or two other people. EDITION has been increasing the quality of its on-site fitness facilities in recent years, and this latest space continues that trajectory.
One observation - this is probably one of the few EDITION properties we've stayed at where it's relatively clear the building had a previous life. That's no bad thing! The elevators and staircases are originals and in many ways the features add to the charm.
Final Thoughts
Overall, The Rome EDITION is another slam dunk for Marriott's coolest luxury brand. The vibrancy of the property, the colours in particular, those sapphires and emeralds against the wood panelling and beautiful stone, make it one of the most visually striking EDITION properties in the portfolio. Rome really is a city that was built for a hotel like this.
We'd recommend The Rome EDITION for travellers who want that refined city escape rather than a buzzing social scene. It's a slightly quieter property that doesn't quite have the constant hum of somewhere like New York or Madrid, but that isn't a bad thing, it's just a different energy.
The staff were exceptional, as always. In particular, the concierge helped us secure tables at restaurants that had been fully booked online for months - a couple of quick phone calls and we were in. You can really tell the team here are part of the local city fabric and understand how Rome works.
GT highly recommends The Rome EDITION for guests looking for five-star luxury with genuine Roman character. Find best available rates with Marriott.