AN INTRODUCTION TO A ROMAN NOBILDONNA
Introducing this special luxury guest house located in the very heart of Rome's historical centre, just a few metres from the Spanish Steps and inside a XIXth century palace built by the Roman Marquis Giulio Mereghi. A small relais tucked away and quite unassuming. The property was lovingly restored by the owners, Roman architects. They tried with every detail to encapsulate and keep its history and beauty, from the spaces to the frescoed ceilings, the mosaic floors to the furnishings and fabrics. Not only but they have brought together the past and the present artistically and charmingly by naming their suites after prominent Roman noblewomen and then creating one-off pieces of artwork per suite which has been done by the Studiovagante artist collective drawing inspiration from celebrated portraits that can be admired in the most important museums in Rome. The central space, for its part, plays host to four large black-and-white shots in which the photographer Francesco Cascavilla uses four models to interpret the characters of the noblewomen in a contemporary key.
The suites and there are only 4, bear the names of a Roman noblewoman who lived between the Renaissance and the 19th century; in each case, her personality and life are reflected in the choice of fabrics, colours, and decor.
We start with Paolina Borghese which is made up of 2 double rooms, making it the ideal choice to accommodate two couples in complete privacy or a single family of four. The first room is decorated with a fresco featuring grotesques and geometric patterns and includes a large, full-height, antique mirror that brings out the space’s impressive symmetry. The second room features a circular fresco with arabesques, which is reflected by a mosaic rosette on the floor. For maximum comfort, the two single beds measure 120 x 190. The Suite is adorned by a graphical interpretation of Canova’s famous sculpture Pauline Bonaparte as Venus Victrix (1805-1808), exhibited at the Borghese Gallery in Rome.
Then there is Donna Olimpia Pamphili: A single, expansive space with dual windows and a private bathroom in yellow travertine. The opulent dimensions allow you to fully appreciate the large frescoes, moulded cornice work and floor mosaic. With a comfortable lounge area and a corner bar and an extra facility for a 3rd person. The main wall features Studiovagante’s re-casting of the well-known Bust of Donna Olimpia Maidalchini Pamphilj, which was sculpted in the High-Baroque period by Alessandro Algardi and is today on show in the museum of Palazzo Doria Pamphilj.
Our next introduction is Beatrice Cenci: The Suite dedicated to Beatrice Cenci is an intimate, refined space which is made up of a hallway with an arabesque marble bathroom and a built-in wardrobe, a lounge sleeping two, and a mezzanine with a double bed, connected by a convenient staircase. Suitable for a family of 3 to 4. The upper floor affords a close-up view of the geometric decorations on the ceiling, whereas on the lower floor guests can get “up close and personal” with the delightful interwoven pattern of the mosaic. Adorning the wall is a graphical reinterpretation of the celebrated Portrait of Beatrice Cenci by Guido Reni (c. 1600), the original of which can be admired in the National Gallery of Ancient Art, at Palazzo Barberini.
And last but not least is Lucrezia Borgia: A 50 m2 apartment made up of a large master bedroom with a double bed, a lounge with a sofa-bed, a convenient kitchenette and a light-filled private bathroom in Carrara marble, making it perfect for two couples or a family. The rooms are embellished by a wonderful mosaic floor, whereas there is a frescoed ceiling in the master bedroom. The lounge features a vaulted ceiling and a large arched window. .The bedroom is adorned by a stunning graphical re-reading of the Portrait of Flora, originally painted by Bartolomeo Veneto in 1501 and said by critics to be the true likeness of Lucrezia Borgia.
Add to this the comforts one would expect, a free high-speed (optic fiber) Wi-Fi is available 24 hours a day, satellite television connected to the network, and a Chromecast player to connect your phone or tablet to the TV screen. Reception is equipped with an iMac computer, scanner, printer and copier for any printing needs. Breakfast is not provided but the owners have selected a well-known cafe for you just 2 minutes away and open every day from 0700 till late. Also available to guests is a living room with a wide Chesterfield sofa, comfortable armchairs, a fireplace, and a magnificent fresco-painted ceiling. A selection of high-quality spirits and liqueurs is always at your disposal in the living room for the last drink before going to bed. In the Suite, you can also prepare a Nespresso, choose an infusion from the precious Kusmi collection, or take advantage of the rich selection from the free minibar.
