Step back in time at the famous Hotel Eden. The most iconic hotel in Rome, Hotel Eden opened in 1889. It was the first hotel in Rome to have electricity, heating, running water, and an elevator. The rooftop restaurant, La Terrazza, was designed in the 1960s and is where legendary Italian film producer Federico Felini held all of his movie release interviews.
Legends like Ingred Birgman, Audrey Hepburn, Tina Turner, and various popes, have all stayed here. You can see their photos along with their guest book notes and signatures in the stairwell adjacent to La Terrazza. Hotel Eden is also part of the Dorchester Collection, which includes our favorite hotel in California, The Beverly Hills Hotel.
We arrived at Hotel Eden and were whisked up to the La Dolce Vita corner suite, with Tony Renis’s Quando, Quando, Qundo playing in on a vintage record player in the corner. The suite was filled with Bang and Olufsen televisions and sound systems including their famous A9 and another portable speaker in the bedroom. The crimson walk through closet was filled with Memo fragrances to choose your daily scent from and the bathroom, with high ceilings and marble walls features Bottega Veneta toiletries.
Set between Villa Borghese gardens and the Spanish Steps, the location is secluded and away from the crowds, yet easy to get to some of the best restaurants and most famous attractions in Rome. It’s an easy walk from Hotel Eden to the Galleria Borghese, where you can admire their collection of Bernini statues. After your visit, enjoy cocktails in the stunning garden inspired rooftop bar at sunset.
In addition to the Michelin-starred restaurant, La Terrazza, (which was closed at the time of our visit) Hotel Eden also has Il Giardino Bar and Il Giardino Ristorante on the same floor. Both restaurants are run by Chef Fabio Ciervo, so you know that regardless of whether you choose the fine-dining or more relaxed option, you’ll have a delicious evening. A few of our favorite dishes included their famous baked zucchini blossoms stuffed with ricotta and taleggio, barbecued octopus salad, and red mullet stew with Sardinian fregola.
On our second night, we decided to indulge in Roman pizza. The concierge recommended and ordered two pizzas and a bottle of wine that we had while we watched Federico Felini’s La Dolce Vita on the television.
One of our most memorable moments from Hotel Eden was when we left the hotel for the day, I discussed where to get maritozzi, which are breakfast pastries that consists of a sweet bun sliced open and stuffed with whipped cream. When we returned that afternoon, not only did we have a list of recommendations, but the team had acquired two maritozzi and placed them in our room along with a hand written note explaining the history of maritozzi.
This is just one illustration of the level of service and hospitality that the Hotel Eden offers. It also made us wonder, if they pay so much attention to the little things like pizza and pastries, what would a party at Hotel Eden look like? Hopefully some day we can find out, and we can’t wait to see the Hotel Eden team again soon!
Hotel Eden, Via Ludovisi, 49, 00187 Roma, Italy
Note: Hotel Eden provided support for the reporting of this story.