The logo was inspired by the British kingdom – a blazon supported by a lion and a unicorn, like the coat of arms of the Windsor dynasty Massimo Colli on how an ancient palace in Rome become tech-efficient
Hotel d’Inghilterra: a noble palace dating back to the Sixteenth Century, in the city of Rome
Hotel d’Inghilterra is a five-star-hotel belonging to Italian luxury hospitality group Starhotels. Located in Rome, Italy, historic center, Hotel d’Inghilterra has lived many lives as its history dates back to the mid-Sixteenth century.
It was then that the palace now hosting the hotel was built as sleeping quarters for guests visiting Palazzo Torlonia, situated just across the road. The House of Torlonia is a Roman princely family, which between the Eighteenth and the Nineteenth centuries administered the Vatican’s finances.
Hotel d’Inghilterra overlooks via Borgognona, a street already renowned for its shops at the time when the palace was built. The street owes its name to a group of merchants from the French region of Burgundy (Borgogna in Italian), who settled in the neighborhood at the beginning of the Thirteenth century. The hotel is a few steps from Via Condotti, the Roman fashion-shopping hub, and Piazza di Spagna. Here are located the Spanish Steps, where Audrey Hepburn ate an ice-cream in the scene of Roman Holiday. Piazza del Popolo, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, and Villa Borghese are all within walking distance.
Hotel d’Angleterre: a reference point for English tourists during the Grand Tour
As one of the stops of the Grand Tour, Rome has always been a destination among European wealthy travelers. In 1845 the former Torlonia palace was turned into a hotel and became a reference point for English tourists. Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley stayed here. John Keats spent here the last years of his life. Because of this, the palace was named Hotel d’Angleterre at the time, thence now Hotel d’Inghilterra, in Italian. Not just the name, but also the hotel logo was inspired by the British kingdom. A blazon supported by a lion and a unicorn, just like the coat of arms of the Windsor dynasty.
The palace district had been renown since the Fifteenth century for its hotel facilities, which welcomed tourists from all around the world in the eternal city. Hotel d’Inghilterra featured among its guests also Franz Liszt, Hans Christian Andersen, Henry James, Elizabeth Taylor, Gregory Peck, Mark Twain, and Ernest Hemingway during the years of Dolce Vita, at the beginning of the Twentieth century.
A renovation by Starhotels group meant to safeguard both the historical heritage and the environment – sustainable practices
Hotel d’Inghilterra is currently undergoing a renovation process, which aims at emphasizing the classic style of the ancient palace, while reinterpreting it in a contemporary way. The restoration started from the exteriors of the palazzo and its historical façade, which is protected by the Fine Arts: «For Starhotels to renovate always means to respect our hotels. At Hotel d’Inghilterra we want to preserve the spirit of this ancient place and its style», declares Massimo Colli, general manager of Hotel d’Inghilterra.
Modern technologies and sustainable practices are also being introduced, as Starhotels’ mission is to provide comfort to its guests while respecting the planet: «Following Starhotels’ corporate philosophy, Hotel d’Inghilterra adopts and promotes sustainable environmental and social practices. For example, we embrace the Plastic Free project. This consists in a gradual replacement of unnecessary disposable products with 100% recycled and biodegradable materials to drastically reduce the use of plastic in Starhotels facilities».
The second phase of the restyling project, due Summer 2024: the addition of a SPA and rooftop bar
The interior design project belongs to architects Alessandro Pasini and Tomaso Piantini, who maintained the classical style of the palace by preserving many of the original pieces, such as mirrors, furniture, the Murano glass chandeliers. «The principle of refinement is one of the guidelines that inspired the project. We want to pay attention to every detail, even the hidden ones, balancing antiquity and modernity».
To offer guests an authentic Roman hospitality only Made in Italy partners have been chosen. The walls are painted with a mixture of soil and natural pigments for a luminous effect. Artisans of Silk & Beyond in Caserta created tailored handcrafted fabrics for sofas, armchairs, and headboards. The textile has been appointed to Venetian brand Rubelli, whose nuances remind of ancient Roman palaces.
Both the rooms and the common spaces are decorated with antiques and contemporary works of art from the hotel’s private collection. These include sculptures by Roberto Almagno, ceramics by Giacinto Cerone, and paintings by Franco Ruaro.
The second phase of the restyling project will start at the end of the year and be finished due summer 2024. During this phase the renovation of the rooms and common areas is to be completed. Moreover, a spa and a rooftop bar are to be added.
Hotel d’Inghilterra preserving Roman heritage in interior spaces
With over eighty rooms and suites, Hotel d’Inghiterra offers a variety of accommodations: «We provide a choice of room categories, from superior rooms to the suites, which reach eighty square meters. The new Balcony Suites are characterized by o a refined essentiality: black and white, declined in the geometric patterns of coverings and decorations, plays on balanced contrasts».
Every room bring inside the Roman style that can be seen from the windows, offering a view on the Pincio, Villa Borghese, Altare della Patria, and Quirinale: «Romanity is always the protagonist, evoked by the colors of the tapestries. Warm shades like ochre, orange and red predominate. Moreover, each suite has Florentine scagliola dining tables».
Pavements can either be parquet or moquette. Marbles, stuccoes, and fine fabrics have been selected to recreate the atmosphere of the ancient Roman mansions, while at the same time providing the comforts of a modern five-star hotel.
A Made in Italy renovation project – the Suites of Hotel d’Angleterre
Hotel d’Inghilterra features different kinds of suites, each with its own style. A new addition is the Balcony Suite, characterized by balconies overlooking the rooftops of Rome.
The first phase of the renovation project has been completed with the restyling of the Penthouse Suite, located on the top floor of the hotel. Here, a living room with a fireplace in yellow Siena marble, original from the Nineteenth century, is overlooked by a dining room and study nook. Decorations include bas-reliefs by Roman artisan Felice Calchi, artisanal lamps by Vetrerie Empoli, and contemporary artworks.
Also recently renovated is the Roman Dream Suite, with windows framed by draperies that offer a glimpse of the St. Peter’s Dome. The originally designed bar cabinet is made of antiqued mirror, as are the frames of the prints derived from the antique book collection of Florentine brand Studio Puck. The living room is equipped with an enveloping sofa in Italian velvet with amaranth cushions. The same color is to be found in the lamps designed by Florentine artisan Ceccarelli, which are positioned symmetrically on either side of the sofa on two antique coffee tables with red Navona marble tops. The bathroom is made in Calcatta Vagli Oro marble and the floors are in hand-beveled oak.
A taste of Rome following the rhythms of nature: the restaurant and bar of Hotel d’Inghilterra
Hotel d’Inghilterra features an all-day dining restaurant and a cocktail bar, where live music is played in the evening from Monday to Saturday.
Café Romano welcomes guests in a dehors alongside via Borgognona for a light brunch or a full dinner. Its menu offers a reinterpretation in fine dining key of Roman traditional cuisine. It changes according to the season to use only fresh raw materials. The dishes range from Mediterranean receipts to Roman specialties, such as cacio e pepe spaghetti with Roman sheep’s cheese, tonnarelli with amatriciana or carbonara sauce, and lamb ribs roasted with vegetables. Here guests can also find gourmet salads, a selection of meat and fish dishes, and pizza.
While Hotel d’Inghilterra’s restaurant is a homage to Romanity, Café Romano Lounge Bar is a quote of British style. Wooden furniture and walls are combined with black leather seats, whose color returns in the marble counter and in the geometric pavement. The aim was to create an intimate environment where guests can start or end their day. Surrounded by a collection of classic and modern art, here they can enjoy mixed martinis and signature cocktails prepared by the hotel’s mixologists. The lounge bar also offers a selection of local and national wines as well as gourmet coffee.
Hotel d’Inghiterra, Roma
Hotel d’Inghiterra is a five-star hotel of the Italian luxury hospitality chain Starhotel. It is located in the heart of Rome historic center, within walking distance of all the main touristic attractions. Built in the mid-Sixteenth century as a noble palace and then turned into a hotel in 1845, Hotel d’Inghiterra has become a reference point for British tourists and thus blends its Roman soul with a British spirit.
Starhotel is currently undertaking a full renovation of the palace to carry out a modernization without affecting its historical heritage. With a focus on Romanity and Made in Italy, the group wants to provide the best comfort to its guests while at the same paying attention to the environment through sustainable practices.
