Palazzo Velabro, the latest gem of Roman hospitality

There are nearly a thousand hotels currently operating in Rome. In recent months, this already impressive list has gained a new gem: Palazzo Velabro, a mixed-use hotel that seamlessly blends art, design, cinema, architecture, and culinary culture.

What is a mixed-use hotel?

Palazzo Velabro enjoys a prime location in the heart of the Eternal City, nestled between the Palatine Hill and the Foro Boario. Once a noble residence, it is now part of Marriott’s Design Hotels and among the first mixed-use hotels in Italy. Unlike traditional accommodation, a mixed-use hotel offers more than just a place to stay, it brings together multiple experiences under one roof. At Palazzo Velabro, greenery, gastronomy, culture, and cinema coexist in perfect harmony.

The redevelopment of Palazzo Velabro

Palazzo Velabro transports us back to eighteenth-century Rome. Built in the first half of the 18th century, it underwent a conservative restoration in the 1960s under the direction of architect Luigi Moretti, who carefully preserved its original architectural structure, both in the external façade and the internal spatial layout.

More recently, the Milanese firm GaribaldiArchitects embarked on a redevelopment project of the building, which had previously served as a residence. While maintaining its overall appearance, the renovation introduced a more refined and distinctive approach to interior design.

In contrast to prevailing trends, the Milanese studio opted for a more intimate atmosphere, reducing the scale of the hall and communal areas to create a space that feels warm, welcoming, and domestic.

The choice of colours and materials pays homage to both Rome and Moretti, reinterpreting them through a contemporary lens within a carefully conceived design concept. A palette of vintage-inspired shades (sage green, terracotta, and cobalt) was selected to complement the building’s architecture. The marble, drawing inspiration from Moretti’s interiors at the Foro Italico, is accentuated through arabesque and purple breccia finishes, while curved reeded wood, a hallmark of 1950s design, is used for boiserie and furnishings.

Cultural experiences at Spazio Velabro

Art, cinema and literature come together within the spaces of Palazzo Velabro, creating a breathtaking impression from the very entrance. Visitors cannot help but notice Histoire d’Eau, the striking artwork by Edoardo Piermattei, which adorns the vaulted ceilings, just one of many cultural expressions housed within the palace.

The venue has also been designed as an exhibition space for emerging artists, offering them the opportunity to express themselves through photography, visual art, cinema and literature. The carefully curated selection of authorial photographs on display has been chosen by curators Chiara Guidi and Maria Vittoria Baravelli, who have also curated a collection of 100 volumes that form the palace’s library, available to guests.

The cinema and the restaurant

On the ground floor, an unexpected delight awaits: a small, elegantly designed cinema featuring walnut panelling, deep burgundy walls and stylish armchairs. This intimate space provides a perfect retreat for relaxation and also offers private screenings on request.

Moving on to the culinary offering, the responsibility for enriching Palazzo Velabro’s dining experience lies with Penelope Musolino, a chef with experience at La Pergola under Heinz Beck. Her refined and distinctive interpretation of culinary tradition is certainly worthy of recognition. The restaurant is spread across four interconnected rooms, each with its own unique identity yet all designed with meticulous attention to materials and furnishings, from wooden flooring to Rubelli fabrics and floral photography by Piero Gemelli adorning the walls.

Upstairs, an internal terrace with restaurant service overlooks a Roman garden, further enhanced by a landscaping project from the renowned Roman studio Blu Mambor.

Private spaces

The restoration of Palazzo Velabro has given rise to a mixed-use hotel where thick Roman walls and the influence of Luigi Moretti blend seamlessly with contemporary design. The interiors feature rooms and apartments, each distinguished by a unique combination of colours, wallpapers, and bespoke furnishings crafted by Concreta. The different room categories, junior suites, suites, and standard rooms, offer elegant and inviting spaces, enriched with details inspired by the Orient, a particular passion of the designer. The carpet patterns in the corridors evoke the delicate branches of Kyoto’s blossoming peach trees, while the wooden tubing of the writing desks recalls bamboo. Mirrors, sliding walls, and hand-applied lead plasters, left unpolished, contribute to an atmosphere that embraces the Japanese philosophy of appreciating imperfection.

Article translated by Agnese Giardini

Tag

Buildings and Skyscrapers

Interiors

Luxury Real Estate

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