W Rome and Giano: Architectural Layers and Mediterranean Culture

Michelin-starred chef Ciccio Sultano spearheads a culinary fusion that bridges Sicilian traditions with the rich heritage of Roman cuisine at Giano, within W Hotel Rome

W Rome: Historic Architecture Meets Contemporary Language

W Rome stands in the center of Rome, straddling Via Liguria and Via Ludovisi. Opened in 2022, it marks the Italian debut of the W brand, part of Marriott International. The two 19th-century buildings that house the hotel have served various purposes over time, as General Manager Maria Fernanda Lopez explains: “They’ve been home to government ministries, offices, historic guesthouses like Pensione Frey and Hotel Ludovisi, and even the headquarters of a shipping magnate. These buildings reflect the city’s story and its transformation over time. Once separate, they are now united by the living room area, creating a fluid, interconnected space.”

The restoration sought to marry Rome’s historic architecture with the contemporary ethos of the W brand: “The renovation respected all the heritage details protected by the Fine Arts Authority, while transforming them into a contemporary destination. W Rome embodies the city’s duality: a deep grounding in history and art, combined with a dynamic spirit that’s constantly evolving.”

Live Eternal and a Sense of Community

Designed by New York-based studio Meyer Davis, the renovation “was conceived to celebrate the buildings’ historic legacy—preserving the original façade and architectural details—while reimagining the interiors for a modern luxury hotel. This aligns with the W Hotels’ design philosophy, which seeks to bring the destination inside the hotel and vice versa.”

This vision revolves around the “Live Eternal” concept and a sense of community: “Rome is a layered city where different eras coexist in perfect harmony. The hotel’s design follows the same principle, blending historical elements with modern details, traditional materials with contemporary accents. Every space is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to ensure a comfortable, smart stay that preserves the authenticity and unique character of the interiors. We wanted to create an immersive experience that mirrors the dynamism of the city and meets the needs of today’s travelers. We also placed special emphasis on social engagement and community involvement. W Rome is more than a hotel—it’s a cultural hub that brings together Romans and visitors through design, music, and gastronomy, generating fresh energy every day.”

Art and Materials That Tell the Story of the Eternal City

The restoration focused on materials closely tied to Roman identity: “Marble, a symbol of Rome, takes center stage in several spaces, while certain design details reinterpret Italian tradition in a modern way, striking a balance between heritage and innovation. Stone walls evoking the building’s historic past sit alongside reflective surfaces and contemporary furnishings, blending public and private spaces into an immersive experience. A hidden door in the bathrooms, for example, leads to Parlapiano, a secret garden inspired by Borromini’s architecture, featuring benches, hedges, and fountains.”

Inside, the design aims to reinterpret the W brand’s philosophy—balancing luxury and creativity—through a Roman lens: “W Rome’s identity emerges through an eclectic mix of materials and colors. In the common areas, the contrast between glossy and textural surfaces, vibrant hues, and metallic or mirrored details creates an atmosphere that celebrates Rome’s heritage with a contemporary twist. The palette ranges from sophisticated neutrals to bold pops of color, with striking patterns and refined textures that give each environment its own personality.”

Art also plays a key role. The W Lounge is an open space lit by a skylight and a decorative glass door. Lounge areas with black and gray marble floors host sculptures and artwork along the walls. Near the check-in area, a site-specific mural by Italo-Salvadoran artist Costanza Alvarez de Castro sets the stage behind the steel welcome desks. Inspired by Roman gardens, it invites guests to discover the city’s many facets: “Every decorative element was carefully chosen to capture a fragment of Rome.”

20th-Century Italian Design and Signature Pieces

W Rome encompasses 147 rooms and 15 suites, many with private balconies and terraces overlooking the rooftops. Some face the façade of the nearby Swiss Institute, and the Extreme WOW Suite boasts a 140-square-meter terrace running the full length of the apartment.

The rooms feature an open-plan living space, with windows framed by deep red velvet curtains and parquet floors laid in a classic herringbone pattern—switching to marble in the bathrooms. The concept again celebrates the past and future of Italian style: “The bed’s headboard is inspired by Carlo Scarpa’s concentric lines, and the lamps evoke mid-century Italian design. Color-block closets add a graphic, contemporary edge. Missoni contributes some of the seating, while velvet drapes introduce a theatrical ambience, evoking that sense of spectacle so typical of the Italian lifestyle.”

The Giano Restaurant: Carefully Selected Ingredients and a Sicilian Spirit

Giano was founded under the guidance of Michelin-starred chef Ciccio Sultano to bring a conversation between Sicilian and Roman cuisines to the center of the city. More recently, Adriano Rausa—who trained with Sultano—took over as executive chef, carrying forward the same philosophy with his personal touch: “I come from a Mediterranean background,” Rausa explains. “My approach centers on top-quality ingredients. I’ve always believed that careful sourcing makes all the difference. I never get everything from a single supplier, because each ingredient has its own story and terroir.”

The name Giano (Janus in English) refers to the two-faced Roman god who looks simultaneously to the past and the future. Rausa’s cooking philosophy echoes this idea, reimagining tradition through a modern lens: “Rome has always been a crossroads of gastronomy. In recent years, however, some of its culinary scene has become homogenized. With Giano, we wanted a clear identity, driven by a precise vision of Mediterranean cuisine.”

Many key ingredients come directly from Sicily through a network of small producers that Sultano has cultivated over time—Nero dei Nebrodi pork, Sicilian bottarga, Ragusano cheese, tuma persa. The key rule is to follow seasonality and availability: “I don’t like relying on a single type of fish for the menu. The supplier tells me what was caught that day, and I plan accordingly. It’s more sustainable and respects the ingredient’s quality.”

Giano offers an all-day dining menu designed around the convivial spirit of Italian dining

Meat is also carefully chosen from different breeders, each one best for a particular cut: “I believe every producer can offer something unique. The tenderloin comes from a dairy cow raised in the Po Valley, then repurposed for beef. I use a different source for the top round (for tartare) because I know they handle it best. I want the quality to shine on the plate, with no need for embellishments.” This reflects Rausa’s essential style of cooking—letting each ingredient’s identity speak for itself: “When the raw materials are excellent, the less you manipulate them, the better.”

Sharing is another core element. Giano offers an all-day dining menu designed around the convivial spirit of Italian dining: “I like the idea of a cuisine that encourages people to talk to each other—that’s how a true experience is created.” This same idea extends to the service, which strikes a balance between warm hospitality and five-star attention to detail: “I want guests to feel comfortable ordering a plate of pasta without feeling out of place.”

Pastry, Mixology, and Experimental Pizza

Beyond the Giano restaurant, W Rome’s culinary offerings mirror the hotel’s blend of history and modernity. At Zucchero x Fabrizio Fiorani, pastry art meets innovation. Fiorani’s desserts play with textures and flavors. After dinner at Giano, guests receive a token for the Insert Coin machine, which dispenses miniature handmade chocolate creations.

On the top floor, the WET Deck—a signature feature of the W brand—becomes a venue where hospitality meets city life. With a rooftop pool overlooking the Roman skyline, a lounge area, and a bar serving live music, it’s all complemented by cocktails crafted from house-made infusions by mixologist Mattia Capezzuoli.

Drinks can be paired with raw fish dishes and pizzas by Pier Daniele Seu, who brings his own brand of pizza-making to the terrace, focusing on highly hydrated doughs and toppings that marry traditional ingredients with bold experimentation. The menu follows Seu’s philosophy of in pizza we trust, merging classic Italian flavors with new tastes, carefully chosen ingredients, and in-depth research into leavening techniques.

W Rome

W Rome occupies two 19th-century buildings in the heart of the city, restored to become the W brand’s first Italian hotel. The interiors blend historical elements with contemporary solutions. Its culinary offerings include the Giano restaurant, linking Sicilian and Roman traditions, plus dedicated spaces for pastry, mixology, and experimental pizza.

Debora Vitulano