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After shaking up the sleepy hotel scene in its home town of Florence by opening four stylish design hotels, the Ferragamo fashion dynasty recently inaugurated its first extra-territorial outpost in Rome. Like the Florence four, Portrait Suites is designed
by Tuscan interiors genius Michele Bonan. And
like them, it epitomises convenience of location. Reducing the distance between shop and flop to zero, Portrait Suites stands on the main Roman fashion drag, via Condotti, right above the new Ferragamo store. Reflecting that proximity, much is made of the fashion-house connection. Black-and-white archive photos line the narrow stairwell and many of the rooms, decorated cobblers' lasts loom on plinths, and opulent silk curtains bear the house logo but only, discreetly, on the side facing the window. In fact, discretion is key. The main entrance (around the corner from the store) is so understated it's easy to miss; there's no lobby, just a small reception room on the first floor; and once ensconced in one of the 14 rooms, it's easy to forget you're in
a hotel at all. All have lots of space, big TVs and small kitchenettes, sober marble-clad bathrooms and a colour scheme that's very Bonan: natural tans, creams and earth tones off-set by the occasional strong splash of colour. But it's the roof terrace
that really makes Portrait Suites special: open only to hotel guests, this decked haven, well-stocked
with loungers and lanterns, is an absurdly romantic venue for an evening's tête-à-tête beneath the stars.
WHEN TO GO
Book ahead for the best of the sales action in early January and the second half of July.
ROOM TO BOOK
The Penthouse (number 51)
or Studio DeLuxe (number 53); both have small terraces with spectacular views.
CONTACT
Via Bocca di Leone 23, Rome, Italy (00 39 06 6938 0742; www.lungarnohotels.com).
COST
Doubles from 363 euros; Studio DeLuxe from 506 euros; Penthouse from 1,144 euros
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