Hotel Eden Roma, Italy
Hotel Eden
Via Ludovisi 49
Roma, Italy
www.dorchestercollection.com
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group
Dorchester Collection
Date of Creation
1889
Hotel General Manager
Luca Virgilio – General Manager
Hotel Positioning
5 star luxury
HOTEL EDEN
History & Story
Whilst visiting the affluent Ludovisi district in Rome, the Munich-born hotelier, Francesco Niestelweck, who already managed Hotel d’Inghilterra and Hotel de Russie, fell in love with a three-storey house at the corner of Via Porta Pinciana and Via Ludovisi. In October 1889, he turned the mansion house into a hotel to welcome its first guests, with 63 bedrooms designed by his wife, Berta Hassler, daughter of the owner of Hotel Hassler.
At the turn of the century, Rome’s thriving hotel industry began to move towards the city’s new focus of attraction, the Termini railway station. European visitors no longer had to use their horse carriages to go to Italy, and could now use the train as a new means of transportation.
The industrial revolution transferred the centre of Roman hospitality to the Ludovisi district, which since the 16th century was located around the Spanish Steps, thanks to the proximity of the Porta del Popolo gate – the main entrance to the city for carriages arriving from Via Cassia and Via Flaminia.
Niestelweck was the first to realise that the new era of Roman hospitality was linked to the development of the train and a new, faster means of transport for visitors. As a result, Niestelweck’s dream came true and Hotel Eden was ready to welcome its first guests in 1889.
The hotel quickly made a name for itself, becoming a favourite amongst foreign visitors travelling to Rome. In 1902, another floor was added to the building as well as the iconic terrace with its breathtaking views, which was originally used to hang out the hotel’s sheets, towels and finely embroidered tablecloths.
For over a century, Hotel Eden has been at the centre of Roman hospitality and it has a Golden Book which records many of its most memorable moments with names and images that date back from the 20th century, such as a portrait of Princess Maria of Bourbon in her wedding dress as she leaves Hotel Eden on the day of her marriage to Prince Giovanni of Asturias. The book includes signatures of the Grand Duchess Olga of Russia, King Alfonso XIII of Spain, Queen Amelia of Portugal, Umberto of Savoy and the entire family of Galitzine princes.
The war years also left their mark in Hotel Eden’s Golden Book. After the liberation, the hotel became the headquarters of the English command and American general Bernard Montgomery signed the book in 1955.
During the war, Francesco Niestelweck shared the management of the hotel with Oscar Wirth, who as a shareholder, managed Hotel Eden and then Hotel Hassler, together with the Niestelwecks. The two hotels were then separated. The Hassler was run by the Wirth family and Hotel Eden by Giuseppe and Gianfrancesco Ciaceri, grandsons of the original founder of the hotel. Niestelweck was renowned for his desire to invest in modernisation, whilst maintaining and respecting the highest traditional standards of service; a value that is still true today.
Its unique style, elegance and its Italian charm have made Hotel Eden an exclusive and luxurious destination in Rome, where guests can feel at home whilst appreciating impeccable service, state-of-the-art facilities and breathtaking views of the city. It is no wonder that the great maestro of the screen, film director Federico Fellini, always chose La Terrazza for his interviews.
Date Renewal
Complete 17 month restoration reopening April 2017
Main Strengths, Special Touch
1. Centrally located in the heart of the city between the verdant gardens of Villa Borghese and the iconic Spanish Steps.
2. Our warm Italian hospitality and
3. Our breathtaking and mesmerizing views from many rooms and suites as well as from our iconic rooftop restaurants and bar
Location
Located in the heart of Rome, Dorchester Collection’s Hotel Eden is just a short stroll from the legendary Spanish Steps and picturesque Villa Borghese. This elegant city oasis dates back to 1889 and throughout its illustrious history has welcomed royalty, dignitaries and numerous celebrities.
Key sites/activities in the area
Villa Borghese, Spanish Steps, Vatican City, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain,
Fun Facts
History
· While visiting the new, affluent Ludovisi district, the Munich-born hotelier who was already managing the Hotel d’Inghilterra and Hotel de Russie in Rome, had fallen in love with the three-storey house. He turned it into a hotel with sixty-three bedrooms furnished with great taste and care by his wife Berta Hassler, daughter of the owner of the Hassler Hotel which in those days was located in Via Mario de’ Fiori and only later moved to its present location at the top of the Spanish Steps.
· At the turn of the century, Rome’s thriving hotel industry began to move towards the new pole of attraction of the city: the Termini railway station. Niestelweck was the first to realise that the new era of Roman hotellerie was linked to the development of this new means of transport and the growing number of rail travellers.
· This burgeoning technological revolution transferred the center of Roman hospitality to the Ludovisi district which, since the 16th century, had gravitated around the Spanish Steps (Via del Babuino, Via del Corso, Piazza Venezia and the Pantheon) thanks to the proximity of the Porta del Popolo Gate, the main entrance to the city for carriages arriving from the Via Cassia and the Via Flaminia.
· After the Liberation, the Eden became the headquarters of the English Command and the signatures of Von Papen, vice chancellor of the Reich and Dino Grandi, Mussolini’s minister.
· The Eden was the first luxury hotel to feature a lift, electricity, heating and running water for its guests.
· When the Eden opened in 1889, the rate for a double room was 9 Italian Lire (not even .20cents).
· Our award winning rooftop restaurant, La Terrazza was once Hotel Eden’s laundry area used to hang out the linen sheets and towels and finely embroidered table cloths.
Royal
· The Eden hosted the wedding of Princess Maria of Bourbon to Prince Giovanni of Asturias.
Celebrity
· The vetturiere recalls the days when Roberto Rossellini and Ingrid Bergman used to take their twins out on bicycles and Isabella remained so attached to the hotel that she spent the first night of her marriage to Martin Scorsese at the Eden.
· Federico Fellini, a Roman by adoption, always chose La Terrazza for his interviews.
Children’s Corner
We are delighted to welcome families with children where our little mascotte Augusto has prepared a kids menu with coloring book and puzzle to keep them busy. Family activities can be tailor made according to children’s ages and interest.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
Number of suites: 30
Classic Suites (up to 70-75m²/754ft²-807ft²) and Prestige Suites (up to 85m²/915ft²) offer a range of beautiful spaces in which to relax and unwind with spacious living areas and generous foyers.
Signature Suites, including the Dolce Vita Suite (94 m²/ 1011ft²), the Aurora Terrace Suite (86 m²/ 926ft²+ 120 m²/1292ft²), the Villa Medici Presidential Suite (125 m²/1345ft²) and the Bellavista Penthouse Suite (202m²/2174ft²) offer the most intoxicating views over the city. The Dolce Vita Suite’s views, which include the church of Trinità dei Monti and Rome beyond, were said to inspire poet, playwright and former guest Gabriele D’Annunzio, whilst the Villa Medici Presidential Suite’s captivating city vistas were enjoyed by John F. Kennedy Jr. The Aurora Terrace Suite, once home to actress Ingrid Bergman, offers a spacious outdoor terrace with a dining area for up to ten people.
From the Bellavista Penthouse Suite’s magnificent rooftop location, there are unrivalled views of Rome from the floor-to-ceiling windows, which can be fully opened to fill the room with natural light. Accessible by a private lift, the suite combines modern elegance with touches of 1930s and 1940s style. Once the site of a famed meeting between Louis Vuitton and Bulgari, the Bellavista Penthouse Suite features a study, living room, dining room and luxurious master bedroom which connects to a marble bathroom.
• Number of Luxury rooms: 68
• Sophisticated and elegant in design, the guestrooms and suites provide bright and airy spaces with high ceilings and tall windows, framing Rome’s stunning skyline and utilising the hotel’s central location and city views. Fine fabrics, beautiful artwork and timeless Italian furnishings from leading Italian artisans are used throughout, delicately blending modern luxuries with the charm and authentic classic Roman style of the property. The sleek new bathrooms, inspired by Roman baths, are decorated in white and gold, and feature mosaics, marble vanities, Italian Bottega Veneta toiletries and many with a walk-in rain shower and separate bath. Modern luxuries include master-controlled lighting and climate control, Wi-Fi, Bang & Olufsen televisions and sound systems with Bluetooth connectivity.
• Number of rooms, (keys) in all: 98
Restaurants & Bars
Fabio Ciervo – our Michelin starred Executive Chef overseas the kitchens for our 2 restaurants – La Terrazza and Il Giardino Ristorante as well as our iconic Il Giardino Bar. Fabio states: “My cooking philosophy is inspired by art and innovation, with the aim to create perfect harmony between exceptional food and a healthy lifestyle.”
– La Terrazza
La Terrazza is the jewel in Hotel Eden’s crown and was awarded a Michelin star in November 2017. Located on the top floor, it offers guests mesmerising views over Rome alongside creative and innovative seasonal Mediterranean dining. Using high quality, fresh and seasonal produce, the cuisine at La Terrazza focuses on the nutritional aspects of the ingredients as well as overall wellbeing and is overseen by award-winning executive chef Fabio Ciervo.
A natural traveller, Fabio Ciervo strongly believes haute cuisine should seek inspiration from all cultures to produce a unique gastronomic synergy. From his native Italy, Fabio acquired the virtues of Italian food; from Asia, he learned how to pay special attention to the choice of spices; France taught him the art of making wonderful sauces, while he explored innovative culinary techniques in Spain.
La Terrazza opens every evening (except Tuesdays) and seats up to 44 people with an exclusive Chef’s Table for up to eight diners, providing the ideal location for celebrating special events. Designed to break the kitchen restaurant barrier and develop the relationship between chef and guest, designers Jouin Manku incorporated a window into the kitchen that can be opened from the private dining area, giving guests of the Chef’s Table the opportunity to speak directly to the chef and his team.
The design of the Michelin-starred restaurant draws on traditional Italian craftsmanship as inspiration, with high gloss varnished wood combined with elegant and stylish décor. With delicate lighting throughout the restaurant, Jouin Manku creates a theatrical atmosphere complemented by the Philippe David’s fresco glass wall consisting of layers of specially treated glass. From frosted, lacquered, chiselled and mirrored glasswork, the wall brings depth and a sense of space to La Terrazza.
– Il Giardino Ristorante
Il Giardino Ristorante offers the best of Rome in one place. With the main source of inspiration being the city itself, the concept of the restaurant was to design a place that is the perfect spot to admire Rome, with a décor that conveys relaxation. With this in mind, the restaurant features an olive tree in its middle, a warm wooden flooring, floor to ceiling windows and unparalleled views over the Eternal City that can also be enjoyed from the open air terrace. Playing on natural assets of the hotel with the view, the light and the city, Jouin Manku have designed a friendly and elegant space that complements and enhances its beautiful surroundings, rather than compete with it. The friendly and convivial atmosphere is complemented by a communal table, as well as the warm terracotta and soft stone shades used throughout the design. Delivering an all-day dining menu from 7– 1am, Il Giardino Ristorante provides guests with an innovative dining experience, offering a special children’s menu for younger guests and large sharing platters for groups. Open daily, guests can savour dining with chef Fabio Ciervo’s modern interpretation of classic Italian and Roman cuisine. Using fresh, seasonal and organic produce, it offers an array of healthy choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner, which include a selection of pasta and pizza.
– Il Giardino Bar
Providing guests the ultimate retreat from the city’s crowded streets, Il Giardino Bar offers the perfect place for meetings as well as indulgent evenings watching the sun go down over Rome’s skyline. Mirroring the lush greenery of the neighbouring Villa Borghese, a large abstract green wall or ‘vertical garden’ made of glass and metal foliage is displayed in the bar area. From 11 am – 1am, our bar offers a sociable atmosphere, where guests can enjoy stunning panoramic views by day and city lights by night, making it the perfect place to indulge in the finest wines, signature cocktails, cicchetti (Italian-style tapas) and coffees with friends and family, or to host a business meeting.
– La Libreria
La Libreria opens daily from 7am – 12am and is the ideal place to relax, hold a meeting or enjoy drinks in a warm, tranquil and sophisticated environment, where gentle background music plays. Here, under executive chef Fabio Ciervo, authentic and light Italian breakfast is offered in the morning or an array of enticing food options in the afternoon. A ‘secret bar’ allows guests to enjoy classic and innovative cocktails during aperitif time, and spirits, whiskey and Italian grappa after dinner.
Wellness
– The Eden Spa
With this restoration project, Hotel Eden introduces a new urban spa offering a range of holistic wellness experiences and therapies. It features three suites with a fusion of pampering signature treatments by Sonya Dakar and Mei rituals: The Eden Spa is the only in European location offering the treatments signed by the award-winning Hollywood skincare specialist, known for pioneering innovative techniques and exceptional results, with many celebrities as loyal customers. Mei is a 100% Italian brand of natural, aromatic products, made with essential oils from wild plants. The spa also includes a Blow Dry Bar in collaboration with celebrity hair stylist Roberto D’Antonio and a manicure and pedicure suite with OPI products. Reviving the original vaulted rooms, the spa entrance provides a soft, light atmosphere whilst the treatment rooms offer soothing dimmed lighting and warm interiors. Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku use vaulted ceilings in their decadent design, all whilst maintaining a traditional spa interior and honouring typical Roman Bath architecture.
Corporate & Celebration Events
Historically a popular choice for meetings, conferences and events, Hotel Eden offers three fully-equipped meetings rooms, all of which are completely refurbished and enhanced. The largest, Sala Borghese, spans across 94m²/1012ft² and is able to host small boardroom style meetings or private dinners accommodating up to 60 guests, to larger standing cocktail events for over 100 guests. The meeting room features a high ceiling with a modern scenographic light, while two large paintings hang from the crimson red walls. Its design fuses antiques from the hotel with contemporary elements. All furniture has been tailor-made especially for the room, incorporating contemporary and modern features. At the entrance, its private foyer provides an ideal pre-function space, perfect for serving cocktails, coffee breaks and business lunches.
Sala Ludovisi is the second largest events space measuring 39m²/414ft², with natural daylight and a permanent boardroom table. Ideal for hosting all-day executive meetings and intimate dinners, it is able to seat up to 12 guests. For smaller board meetings or social events, Sala Colonna, spanning 21m²/226ft², provides an inviting space.
Extra Notable Features
Our team at Hotel Eden is delighted to craft and organize any bespoke experience including jogging itinerary in Villa Borghese, cookery classes, pizza making classes, children’s activities, team building exercises and activities, family activities and much more. Just ask and we will will work our magic !
Hotel and restaurant Awards
2018
• Travel + Leisure’s 2017 World’s Best Awards – #2 in the top 10 hotels in Rome
• Gambero Rosso: La Terrazza winner of “ The best restaurant service in the Hotel”
• Condé Nast Traveler’s: Hot List 2018: The Best New Hotels in the World
• Town & Country: The Hotel Eden was a winner of the ‘2018 Town & Country Hotel Awards’
• Condé Nast Traveler : Included in the 2018 HOT LIST
• Travel + Leisure – Featured in ‘Best New Hotels in the World’ 2018 It List
2017
• Conde Nast readers choice award
• Michelin Guide – award 1 michelin star after 6 months of reopening
• Travel + Leisure Top 10 hotels in Rome
Forbes 5 star
Number of employees
240