Hotel Art by the Spanish Steps
C. Italy: Lazio: Rome
This new hotel (opened in 2003), just a stone's throw from the Spanish Steps, is located on the wonderful Via Margutta. At the time of La Dolce Vita in the 1950s and 1960s, the whole of Rome's artistic life revolved around Via Margutta, where many of the best-known painters and sculptors lived as well as cinema personalities like Anna Magnani and Federico Fellini. Sophia Loren and Carlo Ponti actually met there. Today, Via Margutta is still a vine-covered oasis with fine antique shops, art galleries and small, quiet restaurants. A wrought iron gate provides access to a small private lane covered with vines leading to the hotel's entrance. The spacious hall, with its frescoed vaulted ceiling supported by columns, its marble altar and tall arched stained glass windows, was once the chapel of the 19th century college of San Giuseppe. Besides its superb location, the hotel has all modern comforts including in-room safe, PC outlet, and internet access. A pleasant inner courtyard provides bar service during warm weather. Works by contemporary artists decorate the public areas, and the lower level has a large, well-equipped fitness center with swedish shower, sauna and steam bath.