The chaos of Rome melts away the moment you step into the lush lobby of Six Senses Rome, but that’s precisely the charm. Unlike other Six Senses resorts plopped in tropical paradises, this marks their debut in an urban landscape—and what a debut it is in the heart of the Eternal City itself.
Six Senses Rome opened its doors in 2023, taking residence within the historic Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini. While most Roman hotels embrace a classical aesthetic, Six Senses offers a refreshing contrast. The light-filled lobby puffs a modern, industrial vibe with chunky brown steel beams. Yet, history remains woven into the very fabric of the building, as is often the case in Rome. In this instance, guests will find the oldest baptismal sanctuary in Rome, dating back to the 8th century, in the basement.
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Six Senses Rome’s appeal goes beyond its unique design and historical connection. Its prime location places guests within walking distance of the city’s iconic landmarks. The Trevi Fountain and Pantheon are a mere five minutes away, while the Colosseum is a leisurely 20-minute stroll. Lodged amidst the city’s chaotic pulse, the hotel quite truly feels like a sanctuary, a cliché in most cases, but a perfect description in this case.
Sustainability
As with any Six Senses resort, sustainability is a crucial pillar that extends beyond the hotel’s operations. Guests can join sustainability tours, which include a tour of the baptismal sanctuary underground and an explanation of the artworks in the lobby. When you look closely, they are made from rice-sized pieces of glass plucked from beaches. You might be surprised to learn that the marble staircase is made from the same marble Michelangelo used. Yes, really.
The Earth Lab also offers a more hands-on approach. Have you always wanted to make your own paper? There’s a class for that. The Earth Lab is a classroom for kids and adults who want to make candles, body scrubs, and more.
The sustainability focus extends beyond the hotel walls. Six Senses Rome champions social responsibility by sponsoring restoration works on the neighbouring San Marcello al Corso Church. This partnership grants guests exclusive access to the church and its hidden treasure—a rarely seen van Dyck painting tucked away in a back room.
Rooms
The “urban oasis” theme continues in the guest rooms, where a calming palette of earthy browns and greys reflects the natural travertine stone and marble. This choice isn’t just aesthetic – the materials were carefully selected to keep rooms cool during Rome’s hot summers. A striking wood wall behind the bed adds warmth and a delicate hanging plant beside the light shows the hotel’s commitment to thoughtful details.
There are 96 rooms, including two-bedroom suites for families, but even the entry-level classic rooms are spacious, with oversized bathrooms and views of the city or a courtyard.
You won’t find any plastic toiletries; they’re all heavy stone dispensers, which I’m sure many guests try to pocket. Unlike other high-end hotels, this one has a complimentary mini-bar (to a degree), where cookie tins are filled daily, and the fridge is well-stocked with detox juices and energy elixirs.
Spa
While the ancient baptismal sanctuary is off-limits, guests can immerse themselves in a Roman bath experience at the Six Senses Spa. This one-hour journey replicates the thermal baths of antiquity, where bathing was a deeply social ritual. Traverse a circuit of pools with varying temperatures, including the caldarium (hot), tepidarium (warm), and frigidarium (cold) baths—a perfect echo of the Roman bathing experience.
For those seeking even more pampering, the spa offers a comprehensive menu of treatments, from massages and a luxurious Moroccan hammam to dedicated nail care. Yoga, meditation, and sound bath sessions provide a sanctuary for the mind and body, while biohacking enthusiasts can explore innovative treatments like compression boots and collagen-boosting face masks.
Food and Drink
BIVIUM is far from the usual lacklustre hotel buffet. Imagine a round table of freshly baked pastries, cakes, fruits, and creamy yogurts. Then, there’s a separate menu of made-to-order hot dishes. The Frittata Romano is fluffy and arrives sizzling in a cast iron pan. For a twist on a classic eggs benedict, order their pastrami version. It is a revelation.
But the true crown jewel is NOTOS, the rooftop bar. Picture plush, terracotta-hued lounges arranged in the Mediterranean style, each beckoning you to claim a haven under the Roman sky. Here, you can escape the throngs crowding the nearby Altare della Patria (Wedding Cake in Rome) and witness a peach-cream sunset over the Eternal City, preferably with a botanical cocktail in hand.
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