Chapter Roma, Rome
Neoclassical Roots, Contemporary Rebellion
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● A beautifully restored 19th-century palazzo where Roman heritage collides with bold contemporary design by Tristan du Plessis.
● A fearless mix of industrial materials, Art Deco glamour, bespoke Italian craftsmanship, and provocative contemporary art that redefines Roman luxury.
● One of Rome’s most vibrant lifestyle hotels, combining exceptional design, a lively social atmosphere, and an authentic connection to the city’s contemporary creative scene.
A Historic Palazzo with a New Attitude
Rome has no shortage of grand hotels, but few possess the confidence to challenge expectations quite like Chapter Roma. Hidden within an elegant 19th-century neoclassical building in the Regola district, only a short walk from Campo de’ Fiori and the Pantheon, the hotel rejects the predictable grandeur of traditional Roman hospitality in favour of something altogether more daring. Created by Roman entrepreneur Marco Cilia as his first hotel project, Chapter Roma was conceived as a place that feels genuinely contemporary while remaining deeply respectful of the building’s remarkable architectural heritage. Original vaulted ceilings, soaring brick arches, and historic masonry remain proudly intact, providing the perfect backdrop for an entirely modern vision of luxury.
Tristan du Plessis Breaks the Rules
South African designer Tristan du Plessis approached the interiors with a refreshing lack of reverence. Rather than attempting to recreate a period hotel, he introduced a sophisticated collision of raw industrial materials, Art Deco influences, rich textures, and bold contemporary interventions that transform the historic structure into one of Rome’s most distinctive design destinations. Exposed brick, raw steel, brass, copper, and bronze contrast beautifully with dark-stained herringbone timber floors, velvet seating, sculptural lighting by Bert Frank, bespoke fixtures by Buster + Punch, and handcrafted furniture produced by Italian artisans. Jewel-toned upholstery, graphic rugs, and carefully layered lighting soften the industrial palette, creating interiors that feel intimate despite their dramatic architectural scale. The result is unmistakably Roman, yet entirely free from convention.
A Living Gallery
Art forms an essential part of the Chapter Roma experience. Rather than decorating the hotel, the carefully curated collection shapes its personality. Works by Italian sculptor Willy Verginer, Roman street artist Alice Pasquini, Los Angeles collective Cyrcle, American painter Drew Merritt, and local artist Warios 1 create an ever-present dialogue between Rome’s artistic heritage and its contemporary creative culture. Throughout the public spaces, murals, sculpture, installations, and bespoke artworks blur the boundaries between hotel, gallery, and cultural meeting place. Every corridor, lounge, and stairwell offers another unexpected encounter, giving the property an energy that feels constantly alive.
Rooms with Urban Sophistication
The hotel’s 42 guestrooms continue the same carefully balanced aesthetic. Original architectural features frame interiors where monochrome palettes, warm timber flooring, handcrafted furniture, brass lighting, and rich textiles create spaces that are both calm and expressive. Industrial metal detailing contrasts with soft materials and bespoke design pieces, allowing craftsmanship rather than decoration to define the atmosphere. Marshall Bluetooth speakers, La Bruket organic amenities, and thoughtfully integrated technology complement the interiors without distracting from them, creating rooms that feel contemporary while remaining warm, tactile, and unmistakably individual.
A New Social Heart for Rome
Chapter Roma was designed as much for locals as for travellers. The lively Lobby Bar has become one of the neighbourhood’s favourite gathering places, where guests, creatives, and Romans naturally mix from morning coffee through aperitivo and well into the evening. The hotel’s signature restaurant, Campocori, continues this philosophy with an elegant interpretation of classic Roman cuisine inspired by the glamorous Italian-American restaurants of 1930s New York. During the warmer months, the rooftop terrace adds another layer to the experience, offering cocktails above the rooftops of the Eternal City in an atmosphere that feels effortlessly relaxed. Throughout the hotel, generous communal tables, flexible social spaces, and an unmistakable creative energy reinforce the feeling that Chapter Roma belongs to the city rather than simply occupying it.
Why It Works
Chapter Roma proves that respecting history does not require recreating the past. By pairing a beautifully preserved nineteenth-century palazzo with fearless contemporary design, exceptional craftsmanship, and a strong connection to Rome’s current cultural scene, it offers one of the city’s freshest hospitality experiences. Stylish, confident, and full of personality, Chapter Roma captures a side of Rome that looks forward as comfortably as it honours everything that came before.
