JK Place Rome hotel review: one of the Italian capital's poshest palazzos

Times

20-06-2025

Hotels that claim to be homes-from-home are two a penny in the boutique scene, but this one really does feel like the kind of place where everyone knows your name (and they probably do, since almost half the guests are repeat visitors). Opened in 2013, this was the third hotel for the Florence-founded JK Place brand, which has since spread from Italy to France, and aims to give guests the feel of a family home. In fact, it's located in one of Rome's poshest homes — a wing of Palazzo Borghese, the vast complex built for the legendary Borghese family of popes and princes in the 16th century.
The familial atmosphere is impeccably maintained by the staff, who walk the line between genuine, smiles-that-reach-the-eyes friendliness, and quiet efficiency (there's more or less one member of staff for every guest). Guests even get personalised presents (such as a handbound notebook, or even a birthday gift from a stalwart Rome brand) before checking out.
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Score 9/10The 27 rooms — designed by Florentine Michele Bönan and refreshed in 2022 — are the height of modern elegance: neutral colours, walk-in closets and contemporary four-poster beds paired with soft wood panelling. Add the odd antique chrome lamp or art deco-ish counter, plus minimalist sofas, tables and the overall feeling is that of a rather timeless affair. Higher categories (from Grand Deluxe upwards) might have a separate bathtub as well as a shower, or a rare-for-Rome balcony from the JK Deluxe Balcony rooms upwards. Note that there are no knockout views — this is all about ease of location rather than jaw-dropper panoramas. Possibly best of all are the complimentary minibars that are restocked daily and full of fun things, from chocolate truffles to savoury taralli biscuits.
Bathrooms are clad in the ubiquitous Carrara marble, but in a modern way — candy stripes of grey and white stone on the walls, mixed with simple wood parquet — and stocked with luxurious toiletries. There's another neat combination of ancient and modern on the walls, with arty photos of outré ancient palazzos by Florentine Massimo Listri. Though the rooms are slickly adult, the hotel welcomes children — younger guests get presents, from Rome colouring-in books to a treat from the Lego store.
Score 8/10 Unlike its five-star cousins around Rome, JK Place doesn't aim for the stars with a fine-dining restaurant; instead, more in keeping with its home-from-home vibe, it has a relaxed restaurant, JK Café, spread across three downstairs, semi-connected rooms and spilling into the library. The all-day menu, stretching from lunchtime to late night, does Italian classics, walking the fine line between tradition and modernity. It's the kind of relaxed place where you can retire to the library for an amaro or a coffee at the end of the meal. The Café is also the breakfast space. Instead of a buffet, guests are brought a basket of pastries and toast, and can order larger dishes. Everything has been meticulously thought through — even the butter is stamped 'JK'.
Between the restaurant and the vast lobby is a jewel-like bar. The joy of this place is that you can always find a space that feels private, thanks to the warren of rooms on the ground floor — there's no penning guests into a single area. There's a great boutique wine list including local Lazio labels, and there's a decent cocktail menu too.
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Taking the home-from-home idea to its logical conclusion, there's little else on the property. However, guests get free access to nearby gyms while spa treatments can be arranged at nearby top hotels. If a massage is all you want, they can call in a therapist who can set up in your room. Although there may not be time — the concierges are adept at fulfilling every request, from nabbing sold-out tickets to private tours of St Peter's and the Vatican, as well as ArcheoRunning tours of Rome sites. The hotel has close links with Rome designers, and offers guests discounts and skip-the-line access to the top boutiques of nearby Via Condotti. You can also hire ebikes to get around the city (for a fee).
Score 9/10If you want a bit of everything, this is a great base. Walk to the end of the block and you'll see the Spanish Steps in the distance; the Pantheon and Piazza Navona are each a 10-15 minute stroll away; while a straight shot across the Tiber is the Vatican (about 45 minutes on foot). The Mausoleum of Augustus (due to reopen in 2026) and the Ara Pacis are at the other end of the street. Having said all that, despite the proximity to some of the most famous sites, this is a quiet area, and the entrance is on a tiny side street. If the crowds around the Pantheon leave you cold, this is the perfect place to be.
Price B&B doubles from £667Restaurant mains from £17Family-friendly YAccessible Y
Julia Buckley was a guest of JK Place Rome (jkroma.com)
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