Debut of Romeo Roma Hotel, one of Zaha Hadid's late architectural masterpieces, as our site reviews it

Debut of Romeo Roma Hotel, one of Zaha Hadid's late architectural masterpieces, as our site reviews it

In the historic heart of Rome, a bold and futuristic architectural masterpiece has risen, blending seamlessly with the city's rich history. The Romeo Roma hotel, Zaha Hadid's final project, opened its doors in 2025, offering guests an unforgettable experience of luxury and innovation.

Located at Via di Ripetta, 246, 00186 Roma, Italy, the hotel is nestled in the Tridente district, a stone's throw away from Piazza del Popolo, Fontana di Trevi, Villa Borghese, Villa Medici, and Galleria Doria Pamphilj.

The architectural style of Romeo Roma is a daring, futuristic intervention within a sixteenth-century palazzo. Hadid's signature style of fluid, sweeping geometries and curved forms deliberately contrast and collide with the building's Renaissance rigidity, creating a compelling dialogue between past and present. The design is described as a form of "rough architecture," which means it embraces spatial tension and contrast by exposing and juxtaposing old and new elements without trying to seamlessly fuse them.

Notable features of Romeo Roma include the preservation of historical elements such as frescoed ceilings and original wood paneling within several suites and corridors. The introduction of sculptural staircases, recessed LED lighting coves, and custom-fitted surfaces that arc dynamically through the classical spaces create a compelling dialogue between past and present.

The hotel boasts 74 rooms and suites, each displaying a minimalist interior palette using minimal hues to highlight the sculptural architectural form and geometry. The Fresco Suites are a palimpsest of architectural layers and showcase restored 17th-century frescoes and ceilings of painted trompe l'oeil arches. The Penthouse, the top suite category, includes a private rooftop garden of 100 sq m. Junior and Deluxe suites offer a compact take on the upper categories, displaying Zaha Hadid Architects' fingerprint across stretched and elasticized walls and details.

For dining, Romeo Roma offers a variety of options. The hotel's fine dining restaurant, overseen by Monegasque chef Alain Ducasse, serves up unexpected flavor combinations using local ingredients, all prepared with Ducasse's precision. Il Bar is a sleek spot for pre- and post-dinner drinks, while La Terraza, a sky bar offering Krug Champagne and panoramic views, is set to open soon. Il Cortile, the all-day Italian dining area, is described as a 'luxury food court.' Outdoor tables at Il Cortile are located in the hotel's private garden. The indoor space features undulating ebony arches.

The rooftop bar La Terrazza partners with Krug Champagne, and a subterranean spa with treatments by Sisley enhances the experiential luxury. The in-house Sisley Paris Spa covers 1,000 sq m and includes a subterranean pool revealing glimpses of Roman ruins, a relaxation room with a sauna and hammam, a Technogym fitness area, and treatment cabins offering phyto-aromatic treatments.

Overall, Romeo Roma stands as one of Zaha Hadid’s last major projects, showcasing her ability to innovate within historical contexts by crafting spaces that provoke spatial awareness through the collision of contemporary and Renaissance architectural languages. It is a must-visit destination for architecture enthusiasts and luxury travellers alike.

1. The Romeo Roma hotel, nestled in Rome's Tridente district, offers a unique blend of lifestyle, fashion, and beauty in its preservation of historical elements paired with contemporary design in its rooms and suites.
2. For food and drink enthusiasts, Romeo Roma presents an array of options from the fine dining experience with unexpected flavor combinations by Alain Ducasse to the luxury food court, Il Cortile, and the upcoming sky bar, La Terraza, partnered with Krug Champagne.

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