Casa Monti is the Rome you picture when you close your eyes — cobblestones, sage-green shutters, artisan workshops and gelato on every corner — yet inside, it's a different world entirely. An old 18th-century palazzo, Parisian designer Laura Gonzalez has turned it into a maximalist love letter to Roman craftsmanship. Think hand-painted frescoes, Murano glass, Pompeian-red tiles, artfully clashing fabrics and colour. All the colour! It's vivid and personal, and the location is just as fantastic. Slap bang in the middle of the city, on a quiet stretch of Via Panisperna, it's in the heart of the city's coolest boutiques, galleries and bars.
No two rooms and suites look the same. Gonzalez collaborated with local artisans on everything from the boldly patterned headboards and hand-painted wallpaper to the striped fabrics and bespoke lampshades, and the spaces are truly a riot of colour and glamour. Bathrooms are clad in earthy Pompeian-red tiles with Susanne Kaufmann toiletries and generous baths. Thoughtful turndown touches include silk eye masks and melatonin gummies instead of the usual chocolate. For a splurge, the top floor Roman Suite comes with a 65-square-metre private terrace and views that'll keep you up well past bedtime.
The neighbourhood itself. The Colosseum is a ten-minute stroll, the Trevi Fountain not much further, yet the cobbled streets around you are full of local wine bars, vintage boutiques and zero tour groups.
Head to the rooftop bar at golden hour and order a Negroni. With its mosaic-backed counter and the terracotta skyline ahead, it's one of Rome's finest aperitivo spots.
There's no gym and the entry-level rooms are on the cosier side. The bold, pattern-heavy decor is gorgeous but won't be to everyone's taste.
Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch
Casa Monti can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Italy trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Italy trips featuring Casa Monti or get advice and suggestions from one of our Italy specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Casa Monti start from around $390, or US$390, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
2,000 years of history – and excellent aperitivo – in one of the prettiest capital cities in the world.
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