Rome: three reasons to take a break in the Eternal City this summer

Mont Pincio: mythical and artistic villa

To discover

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Perched on the heights of Rome, the Medici villa imposes with its beauty and its rich past. The magic operates in the evening, around the small wood (bosco), when a rustling of leaves evokes the furtive passage of a ghost or two. They are undoubtedly numerous here. Among the former directors, Ingres and Balthus left indisputable traces. Since 2020, Sam Stourdzé has taken the reins of this house after six years at the head of the Rencontres de la photographie d'Arles. “

The Medici villa is a residence for multidisciplinary artists who offer free and uninterested time in creation. Its mission is also the promotion of its heritage and cultural influence,

 ”he underlines.

For this summer, three exhibitions: “Ecco” (until August 8) presenting the work of the 16 artists in residence; “Art” (until September 19) by Mircea Cantor; and finally, “Villa Toiletpaper & Martin Parr” (until October 31). “

The latter will offer a visual shock between the Renaissance garden and the pop and trash iconography of Martin Parr and Maurizio Cattelan.

 The season will end with the first edition of the Villa Medici Film Festival (September 15-19), whose programming is underway. No doubt, the Medici villa comes back to life.

To feel his heart beating, the lucky ones may be able to sleep there.

As long as you show patience and persistence.

Allow at least four months in advance to obtain the key to a “classic” room in one of the old residents' apartments or on a last minute cancellation.

The “historic” rooms, with paintings by Jacopo Zucchi and furniture designed by Balthus, are rarely offered.

But all dreams are allowed at the Medici villa.

Villa Médicis (Tel.: 00 39 06 67 61 311).

Night from 250 €.

Read also: 48 hours in Rome: a beautiful escape to the Eternal City

Parioli: seventies style revisited

The Hoxton Rome uses the codes of the 1970s. SDP

Barely open, The Hoxton Rome (192 rooms) is already echoing the laughter of a trendy international youth.

Behind a 1970s facade, the decoration takes up the codes of this period, playing happily with materials: leather, terrazzo and marble for the ground floor where the pleasant lounge-bar-restaurant is located.

A space that is difficult to leave due to the highly pepy atmosphere.

The Hoxton Rome (Tel: 00 39 06 94 50 27 00).

From 149 € per double room.

Read also: Confidential Rome, five visits off the beaten track

Prati: colorful dolce vita

Mama Shelter Roma multiplies the nods to Italy of yesterday and today.

Francis Amiand

On the right bank of the Tiber, a stone's throw from the Vatican, the new Mama Shelter Roma (open July 1) plays the city's great classics in its joyful kaleidoscope.

Winks to pasta, football, Vespa, gladiators, ancient architecture… In a fun maelstrom.

The 217 rooms are draped in pistachio green and latte pink tones, worthy of Italian ice cream.

The hotel group is inaugurating its first wellness area here.

Swimming pool, sauna, hammam, colorful and graphic, revisit the tradition of the Roman baths in the fashion of the 21st century.

Summer and winter gardens, rooftop, pizzeria… A place full of smiles.

Mama Shelter Roma (Tel: 00 39 06 45 49 55 75).

From € 129 per double room.