W Rome

Character and identity

Set across two 19th-century palazzos on Via Liguria, steps from the Spanish Steps, this 138-key W (109 rooms and 29 suites) trades the conventional lobby for a lounge, with welcome pods replacing a check-in desk and a hidden tropical garden tucked behind a concealed bathroom door. Meyer Davis Studio's interiors set colourful leather, big graphic prints and ochre bedframes against thick stone walls and black-and-grey marble. Dining runs from Sicilian-leaning Giano to the seasonal Citrico Rooftop pizzeria and Fabrizio Fiorani's pâtisserie. There's no traditional spa, but a 24/7 FIT gym and a sixth-floor open-air pool. Service skews young, tattooed, scene-aware.

Who's it for

Bottom line

The draw here is the design and the social energy, not pampering: this is Rome with a downtown attitude, an aperitivo crowd, and a rooftop scene, rather than hushed luxury. Book it if you want buzz a few minutes from the Spanish Steps; opt for a room with a balcony, and aim for warmer months when Citrico Rooftop and the pool are open.