Rome

Rome is a city where history refuses to stay in the background. Ancient ruins, Renaissance palazzi and Baroque churches coexist with Rationalist architecture, Mid-Century interiors and an increasingly confident contemporary design scene. Layers accumulated over more than two millennia appear almost casually around every corner, yet Rome is not simply an open-air museum. Neighbourhoods such as Monti, Testaccio and Trastevere reveal a lived-in city of workshops, galleries, independent shops and architecture that continues to evolve around its extraordinary past.

Food and drink are fundamental to Roman life. Traditional trattorias, neighbourhood markets and historic cafés remain essential, with dishes such as carbonara, cacio e pepe and carciofi alla romana rooted firmly in local identity. Alongside them, contemporary restaurants, natural wine bars and a new generation of cocktail addresses are giving Roman dining a less predictable edge. Aperitivo remains a ritual, whether at a tiny neighbourhood bar or on a rooftop overlooking the city’s seemingly endless collection of domes.

Rome’s most interesting hotels inhabit the city’s architectural layers rather than smoothing them away. Historic palaces, Rationalist landmarks, former convents and intimate townhouses have become distinctive places to stay, combining original details with contemporary Italian design, art and often excellent restaurants and bars. At DNA Hotels, we curate the places where architecture, food, history and Roman character become inseparable—hotels that make staying in the Eternal City part of discovering it.