 |
|
|
 | | | |
|
Designed by Anglo-Italian partnership King & Roselli, es.hotel is Rome's first no-holds-barred designer hotel. A minimalist white block, wedged like a marooned liner between the train station and multi-ethnic quartiere of piazza Vittorio, it is also the first substantial new building to have gone up in central Rome for over a decade. (Of course, this being Rome, the builders also stumbled on a third-century road and walls during construction, which now form part of an archaeological area off the lobby). There's a large dose of 'concept' about the place, starting with the lower-case name, which refers both to the surrounding Esquilino area and to the word es - the Italian term for Freud's id. Few hotels go as far in their dedication to a design vision: 90 per cent of the furnishings and fittings, from light switches to beds and the huge, retro-illuminated doughnut reception desk, were designed ex novo. The two top-floor restaurants - dressy, gourmet Sette and the more informal Zest - are popular with Roman gastronomes, attracted by cuisine that gives local traditions a successful fusion spin. The heated rooftop swimming pool provides a welcome retreat from the hustle below.
WHEN TO GO
Rome has something to offer all year, but factor in that rooftop pool
WHICH ROOM TO BOOK
Rooms are divided by type: style-conscious romantics will enjoy the Zattera, with the bed and all essential services (including the shower) perched on a mahogany raft
CONTACT
es.hotel, via Filippo Turati 171, Rome, Italy (00 39 06 444841; fax: 4434 1396; www.eshotel.it). Doubles €340-€450
|
|
|
|
|
|
