Not your average Roman Holiday! Art, aperitivo, and DJs at Italy's new five-star art'otel Rome Piazza Sallustio

Daily Mail​

21-05-2025

Rome might be famous for its ancient wonders - but its newest hotel is anything but stuck in the past.
In a city where history lives on every corner, art'otel Rome Piazza Sallustio brings a fresh kind of Roman holiday: think rooftop aperitivo, DJ sets, and rooms filled with contemporary art.
The Eternal City got a five-star facelift with last week's opening of the glam new boutique hotel where art, top-tier dining, and party vibes collide.
And if its lavish opening night celebration is anything to go by, it's already aiming to make a lasting impression.
The luxury property is the first Italian outpost from the contemporary lifestyle hotel group art'otel, part of the PPHE Hotel Group, known for pairing upscale stays with immersive art experiences in cities like London, Berlin, and Amsterdam.
Now, they've brought the concept to the cobblestone streets of Rome - and timed it perfectly to coincide with the city's jubilee year.
Located just off the historic Via Veneto, a short stroll from the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, the new hotel boasts 99 guest rooms and 11 suites, many with balconies and terraces overlooking the ancient Horti Sallustiani.
The rooms themselves are sleek and luxurious, equipped with Bluetooth speakers and eco-conscious Kevin Murphy toiletries.
One particularly striking - and rare - touch was the Dyson hairdryer, including the popular, viral Airwrap, available in the rooms.
And for those seeking an elevated stay, the one-bedroom suites come with private terraces that offer postcard-perfect views of the Eternal City, along with indulgent extras like mood lighting, a vinyl record player, added amenities, and signature artworks.
Guests also have exclusive access to the hotel's wood-fired sauna, high-tech gym, a and even an on-site art gallery.
There's also YEZI, the hotel's sleek Pan-Asian restaurant and cocktail bar where the drinks menu nods to the city's historic role as a crossroads of culture and trade.
Interiors come courtesy of designer Eyal Shoan of Digital Space Studio, blending contemporary design with nods to Rome's rich history.
Much of its design and décor pays tribute to celebrated Roman painter and sculptor Pietro Ruffo, the hotel's 'signature artist' whose pieces are displayed throughout the property, including the guest rooms as well as the 20-meter tile mural on the sunlit terrace.
Ruffo, who was named Italy's Artist of the Year in 2024, has collaborated with everyone from Dior to the Vatican.
The restaurant's ground floor terrace, which offers the perfect aperitivo spot with live music and DJ sets, features a 20-meter tile wall by Ruffo representing Rome's constellations.
The space functions as a gastronomic and social hub with lively DJ programming.
The property - which also features creative event spaces for both business travelers and design lovers - is also set to double as a cultural hub.
Through its art'beat program, the hotel will host regular exhibitions, workshops, and artist residencies.
Art'otel Rome Piazza Sallustio celebrated its grand opening on May 14 with a sunset launch party featuring live DJ sets, contemporary art installations, and cocktails on its ground floor terrace.
Guests mingled over bites and signature handcrafted cocktails designed after the ancient trade routes of the Empire from YEZI Restaurant & Bar.
Inspired by the traditional Asian tea house style of informal eating, drinking and socializing - guests indulged in experimental dim sum, creative mixology, fresh sashimi, irresistible tasting experience menus and signature dishes with tableside theater.
And at YEZI Bar, the mixology was as captivating as the art adorning the walls.
Each drink is a carefully crafted tribute to the ancient roads that once converged on Rome - a spirited celebration of the flavors, people, and stories that shaped the empire.
The cocktail menu even maps the ancient trade routes that prove all roads really did lead to Rome.
There's the Watling St, a bright and floral sling that channels Britannia with Beefeater gin, sambuco, lychee, elderflower, and a zing of ginger honey.
The Amber Road martini takes a sharper turn, layering Altamura vodka with pine needles, citrus air, and Mancio Sakura - a nod to the resin and spice-laden trails.
And the Silk Road, where things turn soft and velvety with a chai latte-inspired blend of Johnnie Walker Black whisky, spiced vanilla, black tea, and citrus foam.
Speaking at the opening, General Manager Diego Di Gaetano said: 'art'otel Rome Piazza Sallustio will redefine the hotel experience in Rome.
'By blending contemporary art with cutting-edge design and hospitality, we're creating a property that delivers something truly innovative for both our guests and the local community.'
For those seeking a Roman holiday with a twist of the avant-garde, art'otel may have just drawn its masterpiece.
With a rotating program of exhibitions, workshops, and artist residencies via the hotel's art'beat initiative - plus Ruffo's solo show launching on-site this summer - art'otel Rome promises to be as dynamic as the city itself.