One of the real highlights of our stay was getting a tour of the hotel with Ruffo himself — generous with his time, deeply passionate, and despite all his success, extremely humble. A true Roman native, Ruffo is an artist whose work blends his architectural background precision with his love for the stars, constellations, and maps. You’ve likely seen his designs without even realising it, most likely during one of the Dior shows—be that as patterns on bags and scarves, or the iconic ceiling during the Haute Couture Fall-Winter 2017-2018 show. Among many places that exhibited his work are also the Vatican Museums. And though it might seem like a highlight of his career (and don’t get me wrong, it absolutely is), what really got me was to see his work in the most random places in Rome, for example, on the silos at the construction site. It is not only about his love for the city but also the city’s love for Pietro Ruffo, and I truly believe that’s what makes art’otel Rome so special. 

The moment you walk into the five star art’otel Rome Piazza Sallustio, you’re somewhere else entirely. The street noise is gone and suddenly you sharpen up, not because you’re trying to, but because the space demands it. The lighting drops, your eyes adjust, and suddenly you’re noticing everything: the walls are inked with zodiac constellations (one of Ruffo’s artworks), to the left, a bright red, futuristic reception desk, and right in front of you in the back, a wall created out of many rolls of paper with drawings on them. A heady scent hits your nose; it is really a play on your senses. If I ever find out what scent they use, I’m buying a lifetime supply. It’s that good.

The rooms are equally impressive — spacious, calm, and with a bed so comfortable nothing could wake me. The bathroom was a full-on spa dream, complete with a shower, bathtub, and bath bombs, in case you’re in for a relaxing evening. Pietro Ruffo’s touches were everywhere: on the cushions, framed as artwork on the walls, even etched onto the glass of the shower. It felt less like checking into a hotel and more like stepping into someone’s creative universe.

And because food can also be art, every art’otel has a destination restaurant and bar. Rome’s YEZI is one you’ll want to bookmark. Serving Asian fusion with a twist, the menu surprised me in the best ways: delicate tofu, fruit desserts, and dumplings shaped like tiny mushrooms looked and tasted like art. The bar is worth a mention, too. Along with the classics, there’s a special cocktail menu inspired by the ancient Roman roads. It’s playful, a little nerdy, extremely good, and very on theme.

With a hotel like that, you might not ever want to leave, but luckily, we had a busy schedule planned. Whether you love food, are more of an art lover, or love to do touristy things, I think there are great recommendations for everyone.

The afternoon of the first day started with a food and historical tour starting near the Pantheon — hopping between salumerias, having a lazy lunch, and gelato (essential), followed by a tour of the Vatican Museums. From fresco maps to a hall of statues to the Sistine Chapel, the collection of Vatican Museums is truly breathtaking. You could spend days walking around to soak it all in; no wonder it is one of the most visited museums in the world. After a tour like that, the dinner was in order, and so we wrapped the evening with a cosy dinner at Fiaschetteria Marini, a stone’s throw from the hotel.

Now, day two might just have been the most bizarre in the best way possible. Priding myself on often skipping the very touristy sights, we jumped on Vespas to see the city (something I would have never done on my own). Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, and many more, we checked off so many iconic landmarks and ended the tour with prosecco in front of Fontana dell'Acqua Paola, overlooking the entire city of Rome. Was it absolutely insane? Yes! Would I ever do it again? Absolutely yes! After lunch in the storybook-pretty Trastevere (which I highly recommend just walking around in), we headed back to freshen up before an evening of pre-drinks, the tour with Pietro Ruffo, and the official opening night of the hotel’s restaurant YEZI. 

Day three was for getting hands-on. We learned how to make pasta from scratch and made our own Cacio e Pepe and Pasta Puttanesca dishes. A wholesome, slightly messy but extremely tasty experience that ended, of course, with more gelato. After that, we had free time to wander, and I decided to walk to Isola Tiberina, a little island in the Tiber River with a cool story on how the island appeared there.

All roads may lead to Rome, but after this trip, I’m convinced some roads just straight up take you to art'otel Rome Piazza Sallustio. And I can’t wait for mine to lead me back there again.