With the theatrical flourish and attention to detail you expect from a Roman holiday, the team at this Neoclassical palace – the Anantara Palazzo Naiadi – delighted all five of our senses during our stay.
Tearing ourselves away from the bronze statue of the muscular sea-god Glaucus with four naked nymphs that stands outside, we entered the hotel lobby, where a magnificent Murano chandelier takes pride of place among the elaborate inlaid colonnades, arches and floral designs. More visually arresting even than that was the display of costumes from a recent production of Mozart’s opera Così fan tutte.
One floor down at the Anantara Palazzo Naiadi, we walked on a glass floor laid over the ruins of the Baths of Diocletian. It’s from here that the hotel’s spa draws inspiration for its signature Diocletian Spa & Bath Ritual, which incorporates medicinal herbs, olive oil and sea salt. Our early-evening couples appointment left us rested, rejuvenated – and ready for dinner.
After a stroll in Rome’s golden light, we headed to the hotel’s oh-so-stylish restaurant Tazio, named after the paparazzi photographer whose candid shots of celebrities in 1960s Rome line the walls. There, we gorged ourselves on a sumptuous meal prepared personally for us by charismatic executive chef Niko Sinisgalli. As we worked our way through all seven courses of the banquet fit for even the pickiest Roman Emperor, live music wafted in from the piano in the foyer.
Back in our gargantuan Duplex Junior Suite at the Anantara Palazzo Naiadi, we misted our pillows with the lavender oil that had been thoughtfully left on our bedside tables and drifted gently off to sleep.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Culturalist | FCO | GMT +2 |
| While you’re Out There |
| Hate queueing? Get friendly with the concierge here and they’ll help you skip the lines to some of the city’s most crowded attractions, even the Vatican City. Just don’t ask how they do it. |
Photography courtesy of NH Hotels
