I am writing to express my unreserved enthusiasm for Palazzo Ripetta in Rome, where we had the pleasure of spending the past week. Having stayed in such renowned establishments as the Hotel Okura in Kyoto, the Steigenberger Herrenhof in Vienna, and the Hotel Raphael in Paris, I can say with conviction: Palazzo Ripetta is the finest five-star hotel I have experienced to date.
The location is nothing short of perfect. Nestled in the heart of the centro storico, just steps from Piazza del Popolo and Via del Corso, the hotel offers both centrality and a surprising degree of tranquillity. Housed in a beautifully restored historical building – formerly a convent – it blends timeless architecture with tasteful, contemporary luxury.
The interior design is elegant without being ostentatious: a stylish, intimate bar, a beautifully appointed breakfast room, and a large, serene courtyard with a lovely garden terrace – a true oasis in the middle of the city.
Our room was effectively a junior suite – spacious, impeccably furnished, with a luxurious bathroom and large windows opening onto the peaceful courtyard. It was utterly quiet – an increasingly rare quality in any urban hotel.
The service throughout was outstanding. Every member of staff greeted us with warmth and genuine friendliness, and the concierge team deserves special mention: each evening they recommended superb local restaurants in the old town, all of which we would never have found on our own.