Hotels #6 and 7 - The Borghese Gardens and Museum - Hotel Hassler and it's boutique hotel overlooking the Spanish Steps, Il Palazzetto

February 8, 2011

This morning I experienced the Executive lounge on the 7th floor for breakfast overlooking Rome. Another gorgeous sunny morning (cold by Roman standards and downright balmy for Bostonians in February). It was a full breakfast buffet with the usual suspects including eggs, bacon and pancakes.

At check out, I ran into Maria Laura again and thanked her for spending the time with me the day before and for hand picking my fantastic room. I assured her I would be sending clients her way!

The bellman promptly put me in a taxi back to the city center as I had a ticket for my entrance to the Borghese Museum and I did not want to miss that! many Caravaggios to be seen! There seems to be a lot of French and Russians here in Rome in February and not many Americans. The taxi took me to the Hotel Hassler to leave my baggage (this is where you check in for Il Palazzetto) and jumped in a cab to whisk me up the hill to the Museum - if you are not there at least 30 minutes before your entry time (doesn't matter if you have a ticket or not), you will be denied entrance. Once there, I checked in, received my pass and checked my bag and got in line with all of the other 11 a.m. entrants. What a stunning museum and the Caravaggio room was a dream come true. Since I studied art history in college, it is always special for me to actually see these paintings and pieces in real life, rather than in a book. You study them and see them for years, but to be standing in front of the real thing... there are no accurate words to describe the feeling.

Once I saw the museum, I gathered my things and hit the cafe - time for a caffe (espresso) - now I am really getting into the swing of things - it's only 11:45 a.m. and I need a pick me up?! I also grabbed a snack and walked around the back of the Museum and the gardens surrounding it - here are some photos:

lady who came to the Gardens clearly just to feed the kitty

something is missing here.....

elegant Roman ladies enjoying the day in the Borghese Gardens

Galleria Borghese

Things are blooming here

I love the face - but the feet were creepy

her's too

the trees in the Gardens are beautiful

red shoes!! - I love red shoes

After the Gardens, I made my way through the Porta Pinciana and visited several hotels which overlook the Gardens - Hotel Splendide Royal and the Eden are a couple. After that it was back to the Hassler for my tour with Elina (recent transplant from Latvia) and Il Palazzetto (home for tonight).
The Hotel Hassler is a traditional, classic Roman hotel which is now a 3 star hotel - it is at the top of the Spanish Steps and the views from here are outrageous - all of Rome stretched out before you and all within your grasp. The hotel has two styles of rooms - modern/contemporary decor or a more classic feel. many of the rooms of course face the view and there are some located in the back of the hotel which overlook their courtyard where breakfast is served in the warmer months and is also open for cocktails and parties. The common rooms are very grand in size and decor. The staff is all extremely helpful and will take very good care of you. I called upon the concierge's expertise to find a great restaurant with authentic food and not many tourists - he suggested Tullio off of the Piazza Barberini and made me a reservation for 8 p.m that night. Grazie!

After the Hassler, we viewed Il Palazzetto, the boutique hotel started by the general manager of the Hassler. It is located across the Piazza Trinita dei Monti and about halfway down the Spanish Steps. I had room #2 overlooking the steps and the best room of the 4 they have. Above the rooms is a terrace wine bar and restaurant (for the warmer months) and for the colder months and those who prefer to dine indoors, there is another - all called Il Palazzetto. The people watching from the room and the bar/restaurant is not to be matched in Rome -

Room #2 at Il Palazzetto

Yup- those are the Spanish Steps

Room #2 at Il Palazzetto

Tullio was delicious - artichokes, prosciutto di parma and carbonara, half a bottle of wine and a caffe and then back up the hill to crash at Il Palazzetto!

from the top of the Spanish Steps

Buona notte ragazzi