Brad A. Johnson
  • Blog
  • About
  • Photography
    • Photography Studio
    • Food & Drink
    • Restaurants
    • Hotels & Resorts
    • Travel
    • Product
  • Writing
  • Contact
Brad A. Johnson

Food & Travel

Brad A Johnson
  • Blog
  • About
  • Photography
    • Photography Studio
    • Food & Drink
    • Restaurants
    • Hotels & Resorts
    • Travel
    • Product
  • Writing
  • Contact

Rome’s Best Micro Hotels

  • October 22, 2010
  • Brad A. Johnson
Ferragamo Portrait Suites, Rome (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Ferragamo Portrait Suites, Rome (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Ferragamo Portrait Suites, Rome (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Ferragamo Portrait Suites, Rome (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Ferragamo Portrait Suites, Rome (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Ferragamo Portrait Suites, Rome (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Ferragamo Portrait Suites, Rome (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Ferragamo Portrait Suites, Rome (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)

The mightiest trend in Rome? Tiny hotels with 15 rooms or less.

Dozens of micro hotels have sprouted up in Rome in recent years, giving guests an intimate experience that’s more like staying in a private apartment but with all the modern conveniences of a luxury urban hotel.

In the Via Condotti, the Ferragamo family built its Portrait Suites (rates from $514; Via Bocca di Leone 23, 800.337.4685) atop their flagship men’s store. To enter the 14-room townhouse, just ring the doorbell on a stoop between Ferragamo and Versace, and a butler traipses down the stairs to let you in. Guests help themselves to top-shelf liquors and wines at the rooftop honor bar overlooking the city. Pour yourself a drink, write down what you had (or as much as you remember) and sign your room number. Accommodations are small but posh, with an oversized photograph of a Ferragamo shoe hanging above the bed.

 As the current trend goes, though, Portrait Suites looks like a behemoth. Many of these hotels are truly petite. The hotel Margutta ‌‌54 (rates from $372; Via Margutta 54, +39.06.3229.5295) and Il Palazzetto (rates from $330; Vicolo del Bottino 8, +39.06.699.34.1000) count only four rooms each. The former is a faded courtyard palazzo updated with reclaimed hardwood floors, sleek leather furniture and contemporary Roman art. The latter is an offshoot of the legendary Hassler and offers elegant, classically styled suites that come with guest privileges at the nearby sister property. InTown Luxury House (rates from $222; Via Bocca di Leone, 7, +39.06.6938.0200) rents six modish rooms in neutral tones accented with wenge wood furniture and geometric lines. There’s a massage therapist on call, just in case. And the most micro of all? Casa Manni (rates from $770; Via di Pietra 70, +39.06.9727.4787), a single 900-square-foot penthouse designed by Adam Tihany. It comes with a personal concierge and views of old Rome from every window.
For more travel inspiration and photos, I invite you to follow me and join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

Share
Share
Share
Brad A. Johnson

Brad A. Johnson is a photographer, writer and editor specializing in food and luxury travel. His work has been honored by the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards, James Beard Awards, FOLIO Eddie & Ozzie Awards, World Food Media Awards, World Food Photography Awards, Society for Features Journalism Awards, Muster Photo Awards and others. Based in Southern California, Brad was previously the founding editorial director of OLTRE, the national food and travel editor at Modern Luxury and a longtime reporter at Food & Wine, among other prominent roles.

Previous Article

La Dolce Grotta: Italy’s Best Kept Secret (Matera)

  • October 20, 2010
  • Brad A. Johnson
View Post
Next Article

Rome’s Top 3 Luxury Hotels

  • October 27, 2010
  • Brad A. Johnson
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • Travel: Culinary
  • Travel: Europe

Table with a View: Bar Le 300, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • July 4, 2026
Hotel Cafe Royal
View Post
  • Travel: Culinary
  • Travel: Europe

Upstairs, Downstairs: Hotel Café Royal, London

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • April 18, 2026
The Lanesborough
View Post
  • Travel: Europe

Quick Look: Executive Junior Suite at The Lanesborough, London

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • March 26, 2026
View Post
  • Travel: Culinary
  • Travel: Europe

Slideshow: London’s Poshest British Grills

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • March 25, 2026
One Aldwych, London
View Post
  • Travel: Europe

Quick Look: Corner Suite at One Aldwych, London

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • February 14, 2026
The Savoy, London
View Post
  • Travel: Europe

A Nice Little Room (no view) at The Savoy, London

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • February 12, 2026
The Dorchester London
View Post
  • Travel: Europe

Quick Look: the Mayfair Suite at The Dorchester, London

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • February 1, 2026
Crystal Symphony
View Post
  • Travel: Culinary
  • Travel: Europe

Closer Look: Crystal Symphony

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • January 2, 2026
88 6
126 0
98 5
214 4
154 8
199 0
Brad A. Johnson
  • Blog
  • About
  • Photography
  • Writing
  • Contact
Writer. Photographer. Traveler. Restaurant Critic.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.