Overwhelmingly charming: What it’s like staying at Rome’s trendiest new boutique hotel
Editor's Note
- A chic and playful design means there's always something interesting to look at.
- The hotel's location is walkable to Rome's main attractions.
- The rooftop bar provides picture-perfect views of the Eternal City.
If "The Golden Girls" were Italian nonnas, they'd feel right at home at Casa Monti, a boutique hotel in the heart of Rome's oldest neighborhood. Thanks to its never-ending combinations of patterns, textures, prints and tchotchkes, the new hotel feels like an old friend, "a pal and a confidante," if you will.
Instantly welcoming and overwhelmingly charming, Casa Monti, found on the picture-perfect cobblestoned Via Panisperna, is a feast for the senses and a stunning boutique addition to Rome's booming hotel scene.
Here's everything you need to know about staying at Casa Monti.
What is Casa Monti?
Casa Monti is a small boutique hotel with just 26 rooms and 10 suites from Leitmotiv, a family-owned French hospitality company with other boutique properties in Paris and Megeve, France. The design-forward hotel's interiors were crafted by Laura Gonzales and inspired by the Italian idea of "sprezzatura," a sort of intangible style where everything works together even though each individual part tells you otherwise; it's something that can't be learned, many Italians say.
Casa Monti is a small player in Rome's burgeoning hotel scene, which has recently seen the opening of an Edition, Bulgari Hotel and Six Senses, among others. But what makes the hotel so special is its size — and its location in Monti, a neighborhood that dates back to the days of ancient Rome (the Colosseum is a few minutes away by foot).
Today, Monti is a residential-feeling neighborhood full of artists, vintage and boutique shops, cafes, and nightlife.
How much Casa Monti costs and how to book it
Casa Monti is a boutique hotel that is currently not part of a loyalty or points program.
That said, you can book directly with the hotel, with rates starting around $375 per night (though rates tend to be upward of $600 during the busy summer months).
Rooms at Casa Monti
Casa Monti has 10 different types of rooms and suites, ranging from the entry-level Cosy Room, perfect for a solo traveler, all the way up to multiroom suites with plenty of space to spread out.
During my late-August stay, I checked in to a charming Superior Room with windows overlooking the Via Panisperna. Measuring about 269 square feet, my room had a plush king-size bed sitting against a wall of brightly colored wallpaper with a matching headboard and even a matching tissue box on the nightstand.
Also on the nightstands were a Bluetooth speaker, an iPad with information about the hotel, and coffee table books. Above the stands I found international power outlets, including USB outlets, were conveniently placed.
Across from the bed was a striped couch, a TV (with Chromecast!), more of that fun yellow pattern as seen on the headboard, a small armchair and a little coffee table.
I had let the hotel know ahead of time that the day of our arrival was my husband's birthday, and they pulled out all the stops and had this beautiful chocolate birthday message and dessert waiting in the room.
With the photo above, you can get a feel for all the textures and patterns throughout the room ... sprezzatura.
In the room's small entryway, a minibar area had a tea kettle with various tea options, a Nespresso machine, plenty of glassware, and a minifridge with local beers, spirits and the other usual bar fare. One nice surprise was some complimentary Italian snacks, like mixed nuts and sun-dried peppers.
There was also a large closet in the entryway area, as well as a safe.
In the bathroom, deep-red tile work contrasted with neutral earthy tones and beautiful marble in the shower and on the vanity. The room also consisted of the toilet, a bidet and a towel rack with fluffy towels.
The water pressure in the rainfall shower was perfect. And after combining that with the lovely smell of the Susanne Kaufmann soaps and shampoos designed exclusively for Casa Monti, it was a true feat to force myself out of the relaxing shower.
And though my room didn't have a balcony or terrace, the view out my tall, skinny windows onto Via Panisperna was truly fabulous.
What we ate and drank at Casa Monti
Casa Monti has two bars, one off the lobby (pictured above) and a small rooftop bar with indoor and outdoor seating, plus a restaurant on the main level.
Upon arrival, we enjoyed refreshing welcome cocktails in the colorful lobby bar, aptly called Casa Monti Bar. It was full of patterns and textures, like dark wood accents, zebra-inspired print upholstery on the walls, artsy lamps and a cheeky mirrored ceiling.
Casa Monti Rooftop is another eclectic experience with a menu of cocktails, wines, beers and snacks (think: mixed cheeses and fried zucchini flowers). Once again, the interior design is a hodgepodge of this, that and everything in between. If anything, the rooftop bar shows that the hotel's designer, Laura Gonzales, is truly a master of her craft. What could have easily been gaudy or garish turned into something ornate and unexpected — sprezzatura.
Though I didn't have a reservation, I was able to get a table outside after just a few minutes of waiting, though I'd recommend making reservations ahead of time just to be safe. At my shiny blue table, I wasn't necessarily able to see out to Rome while sitting down, but the views of the city were magical while standing up. They were even better with my La Fioraia cocktail (18 euros/$19) made with flower-infused Tanqueray gin, raspberry shrub and lemon.
For my husband's birthday dinner, we sat outside at Casa Monti Ristorante, a restaurant serving seasonal Roman food with slight regional variations from Sicilian chef Umberto Tuccio.
Highlights of our dinner included a mouthwatering caprese salad with burrata over a tower of fresh summer tomatoes and basil (16 euros/$17), a simple but delectable tonnarelli cacio e pepe (21 euros/$22), and a zucchini risotto with gambero rosso shrimp (30 euros/$32). The food was lovely, the service was great and we had a lovely time enjoying the fresh Roman air, even if it was a bit warm in late August.
Amenities and things to do
Casa Monti might be big on design at first glance, but its list of things to do on-property focuses on eating, drinking and sleeping. The hotel doesn't have a gym, but it does have the only Susanne Kaufmann spa in Rome. Sadly, I didn't have time to visit the spa during my whirlwind trip to the Eternal City, but those who do can opt for treatments like a 50-minute alkaline deep-cleansing facial (135 euros/$141) or the 80-minute Susanne Kaufmann signature body treatment that includes a body scrub and massage (190 euros/$200).
Related: How to avoid the crowds in Rome during the 2025 Jubilee
Insider tips for staying at Casa Monti
- In my experience, Rome is best discovered on foot, and Casa Monti is right in the heart of the city. You can quickly walk from the hotel to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain and beyond. Just be sure to pack comfortable walking shoes because Rome can also be steep at times.
- Shopping in Monti is serious business. I have found some of my favorite secondhand items at stores in the neighborhood. But my favorite store in Rome is SuperOdra, a concept boutique on Via Leonina, just a few minutes away from the hotel.
- If you're traveling with the family or kids, the Family Suite has a main bedroom with a sofa bed and a bathtub, plus a second bedroom to accommodate, in total, up to six people.
Accessibility
Casa Monti has two accessible rooms, plus wheelchair-friendly elevators (though they aren't necessarily the largest I've come across). Public spaces are also wheelchair accessible and accessible to those with limited mobility.
That said, I always recommend that guests who might need accessible rooms reach out to the hotel directly to confirm what's available.
Bottom line
Casa Monti is one of the most charming boutique hotels I've stayed at in recent years. It's a little bit kitschy, it's totally cool and it's in one of my favorite neighborhoods in the whole world.
If you want a charming place to stay that's right in the center of the action, look no further than this chic boutique, its magazine-worthy bars and friendly staff. And if you find yourself up on that rooftop sipping cocktails overlooking Rome's seven hills, you might just hear the voice of a different golden girl, Lizzie McGuire, pop into your head: "This is what dreams are made of."
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.