Named after the Roman deity Minerva this grand palace has seen better days but has an unrivaled location with stunning views and a gorgeous roof terrace.
Telephone: + 39 (0)6 69 52 01
Price: €375–1,700
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Once an ecclesiastical 17th-century palazzo, then a Grand Tour hotel stalwart, the Grand Hotel de la Minerve is more than a little dated these days. However, its central location by the Pantheon and the magnificent roof terrace make the cringingly 1970s upholstery in the atrium a little more palatable.
Don’t be put off by the entrance hall, presided over by a marble statue of the Roman goddess Minerva – despite the gaudy chandeliers and staid furnishings the actual rooms are a little more up to date, with pinches of contemporary art and more modish lighting.
The presidential suites really hit the mark, with revamped luxury styling and detail. If you avoid the tacky dining rooms and restaurant (with some of the best eateries on your doorstep, it’s no sacrifice), this hotel makes a practical and pleasing choice. Play ‘spot the church domes’ from the flower-festooned roof terrace over a €15 Americano cocktail, if that’s your bag, or while away the balmy evening drifting off to some piano music. It’s the stuff that cheesy holiday dreams are made of. You won’t find the bright young things of Rome here, but it has its own naïve sort of charm.
