THE FACTS ABOUT HOTEL DE RUSSIE

Italy Rome

Picasso, who came to stay in 1917, called the Hotel de Russie 'a little corner of paradise'. The hotel sits just beneath the neo-classical gardens of the Pincio, on the corner of piazza del Popolo, one of Rome's most theatrical squares. Now a new Rocco Forte Collection hotel, there is little left of the building's original incarnation as a grand hotel patronised by artists and aristocrats. Only the façade and the magnificent garden, which rises up the Pincio hill on a series of terraces, provide a link with the past. Inside you will find a subdued eclecticism: a stark Japanese-lacquer television and drinks cabinet contrasts with the Mediterranean verve of the mosaic details in the bathrooms. There is a fully-equipped health club, though this was not enough to detain erstwhile guest Leonardo DiCaprio, who moved out when management refused to let him turn it into his own private work-out space. WHEN TO GO Spring, summer and autumn are best for appreciating the Hotel de Russie's verdant charms. This is also when Luigi Sforzellini's modern Italian cooking comes into its own at the hotel's restaurant WHICH ROOM TO BOOK Some of the standard rooms can feel a little small; those with the necessary funds will opt for a double de luxe. And anyone with cash to burn should head straight for the Suite Picasso, with its lemon-tree terrace. Doubles from L1,045,000; doubles de luxe from L1,210,000; Picasso suite L3,000,000 CONTACT Hotel de Russie, via del Babuino 9, 00187 Roma, Italy (00 39 06 32 8881; fax: 32 888888; email:reservations@hotelderussie.it; www.hotelderussie.it)