The best boutique hotels in Rome

CasaCau is a beautifully styled weekend pad mere steps from the Trevi fountain. The breezy open-plan apartments belie the palazzo’s Baroque façade and everything has been well-considered – from the selection of mid-century furnishings, down to the the the Montalcino in the wine rack and the Le Labo products in the bathroom. Italian pastries are delivered to your door each morning along with a newspaper, and guests are offered immersive gourmet experiences at the group's two Michelin-starred restaurants.

This 14-suite bolthole, a short sashay from the Spanish Steps, is one of the city’s most stylish high-end stays – exuding panache thanks to Michele Bonan’s contemporary-retro design scheme. It is suave and very private: think of it as a refined residence as opposed to a hotel. When they say suites, they mean suites: even the entry-level 'superiors' are spacious. Rich fabrics play off against austere earth tones in walls and carpets; and there are fun little touches like video fireplaces. The discreet service, courtesy of a dedicated ‘lifestyle team’, is unparalleled – as is the cachet of the guests-only rooftop bar.

A little design haven in the ancient Monti district, this boutique bolthole is a lesson in artfully executed eclecticism. Interior designer Laura Gonzales decorated it according to the Italian notion of sprezzatura, or effortless elegance, and to embody the character of the surrounding neighbourhood. Bold patterns are layered against warm shades of terracotta, pink and green – providing a beautiful backdrop for modern Italian furnishings and bespoke artworks by local sculptors and painters. There's a gently buzzy restaurant turning out authentic Roman recipes with a contemporary kick, and a bijou spa clad in yellow marble where guests can pick from a menu of tension-melting Susanne Kaufmann rituals.

Architect and designer Giampiero Panepinto has created a series of deliciously stylish yet teasingly playful spaces by mixing up references that range from Rococo through 19th-century decadence to mid-century modern. It’s aimed squarely at cultured, independent globetrotters, and pretty much any request can be accommodated, from child-oriented private Rome tours to yoga and tension-melting massages. The clubby bar/restaurant, which spills out into a small, intimate, plant-lined al fresco courtyard, makes you want to slip into vintage Valentino and sip a Negroni.

This is one of Rome's classiest boutique hotels: warm, suave, elegant and original. The design – based on a discreet, quietly opulent Dolce Vita retro look – is as impressive in the bedrooms as it is in the downstairs communal areas. The ground floor feels akin to a stylish contemporary gentleman's club – especially the chic little lounge/library – and the rooms and suites feature palisander-lined dressing vestibules, marble bathrooms and four-poster beds. The service here is refreshingly informal, without being culpably casual. And the minibar is complimentary.

In a corner of Rome where a number of stylish boutique hotels have blossomed, the Elizabeth is perhaps the most outstanding player. Like many Roman boutique hotels, it's a modern space inside a historic palazzo, with exquisite interiors that mix a refined colour palette with mid-century décor and custom flourishes such as bespoke lighting and Colosseum-inspired accent tables. What makes this boutique hotel a stand-out, however, is its remarkable collection of contemporary Italian art, curated by one of Rome’s most prestigious galleries.

If you’ve ever wanted to live like a reigning contemporary Roman family, Villa Laetitia is the address. The Liberty-era villa, acquired by Fendi clan sister Anna, is a Belle Epoque time piece, a secluded urban retreat and a lovely balance of artisan hotellerie, haute design and epicurean attentiveness. The bedrooms are spread between the villa and its fully-restored 1910s garden, with family and friends being the main themes in each one – the main villa’s Adele room, for example, is a minimalist homage in 1910s wooden furniture to original Fendi matriarch Adele.

From the moment you step through the discreet door of this 20-room gem, you're greeted like visiting royalty. Rooms, with their autumnal palette, feel a little Parisian at times, though details like reproduction classical busts, or the playful Palladian wallpaper in the Executive rooms, help to ground one in the Eternal City. The Colosseum Suite has a large, scenic whirlpool bath and small private gym, but if you prefer something more discreetly opulent, go for a Junior Suite. The cuisine matches the view in the rooftop Aroma restaurant with its romantic Colosseum views and the bar next door is a lovely spot for a sundowner.

The Martis Palace takes its name from the Roman god Mars, and it was once a Renaissance palace and convent owned by the noble Massimo family. The period features of the building have been thoughtfully brought forward to the 21st century, with huge glass doors opening onto 600-year-old granite columns and holy water fountains. Rooms are huge, with bold design; bright floral bedspreads and accent textiles look chic, as do the Rothko-esque two-tone drapes. The rooftop deck is a glorious spot to watch the sun go down over the dome of the nearby Pantheon, and most of the historic centre's top sights – including the Trevi Fountain – are an easy stroll away.

This collection of effortlessly chic serviced apartments, spread across two townhouses on one of the city’s smartest shopping streets, is at the epicentre of Roman glamour. It's a great option for independent travellers who want an excellent location and suave design without paying elevated prices. In the annexe – just across the street from its main townhouse at number 181 – is the hotel's lovely top-floor terrace bar (al fresco in summer) where breakfast is served in the morning and cocktails are poured each evening. The Pincio gardens and Villa Borghese are a short walk away, and there are plenty of charming corners to be found in the surrounding cobbled streets.

A smart little hotel set in a tall, pale-cream-hued townhouse that's smack dab in the middle of the trendy Monti district. Owners Sara Ferrajoli and Vincenzo Mirisola di Torresanto have converted the place into an utterly charming urban refuge with a cool retro feel. Grown-up colour schemes, 1950s-style armchairs and vintage light fittings set the tone of a cool insider address for plugged-in independent travellers. Polished parquet floors and homey touches invite guests to linger in the common areas – the Blue Bar (named for its lapis-tinted walls) for example, is a beautiful space in which to enjoy the complimentary tea, cakes and biscuits that appear each afternoon.

Absolutely charming. That’s the overriding impression left behind by a stay at this sweet, friendly three-star hotel which nestles right up against the Forum in the Monti neighbourhood. Rooms are more five-star than three: black, white, and houndstooth essentials are offset by colourful artwork and throw pillows, and artsy coffee table books are used as high-brow accents. Design flourishes such as furniture pieces by Dedar and Gervasoni, mod pendant lights and Emperador marble bathrooms with bespoke natural bath products add to the luxurious feel.

Hotel Monte Cenci is tucked away on a side street in the fringes of Rome's Jewish quarter, one of the city's most ancient districts. Modern rooms meet quaint balconies overlooking romantic Rome, in an extraordinary encounter of comfort and charm. The service begins before check-in, with an invite to select pillow types, request a yoga mat in your room and arrange various experiences in the local neighbourhood. And the property is crowned with an enchanting rooftop bar – in summer guests can lounge beneath parasols and enjoy a drink, then when the weather gets colder the space is enclosed as a winter garden, creating a comfortable spot to relax over a morning capuccino or, come evening, a cocktail.