Elevator pitch: The Bangkok-born hospitality group is renowned for its expansive and luxurious properties throughout Asia and especially in Thailand. Having attained The White Lotus fame with three of its properties featured in the well-loved Max series, the same Asian hospitality is translated into an ever-expanding repertoire of properties in other parts of the world, including Middle East, Africa and Europe.
When in Rome, one can never escape the legacy and history that pulses through every facet of the Italian city—and Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome stands to be no exception. A neo-classical beauty through and through, the edifice is built above ancient Rome’s Diocletian Thermal Baths—with remnants that can be viewed from the hotel’s lower levels. Soaring ceilings, marble floors and double doors are regular fixtures throughout the hotel that houses 232 guest rooms and suites, making Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome one of the biggest hotels in the Eternal City.
The stay: In a strange turn of events, I found myself landing in Rome just two days after the death of Pope Francis. The whole city was in mourning and a conclave was in session; despite the circumstances, which I found to be a moment for the history books, the astounding hotel couldn’t have served as a better pied-à-terre. Amidst the new wave of important guests arriving on short notice for the late Pope’s funeral, nothing fell short in the hotel. Warm hospitality began from the hotel porter’s greeting, and through the revolving doors, one can experience a silver of the property’s grandeur just from the first glimpse at the main lobby.
In the Clementino wing, I locate my room—adorned in neutral and gold finishings—and flanked by wooden beams, a reminder of the space once occupied as the Vatican’s grain warehouse. The same expanse of space echoes—as I stand in awe in my ensuite marble bathroom.
The food: One of the first sights upon entering Anantara is the open doors to Akwa Bar. A restaurant cum bar that too doubles up as a waiting area in the hotel lobby. Based off first appearances, what one might miss out on is the food menu—with a wide array of Italian classics, covertly cooked up in a hidden kitchen behind the bar. Expect handcrafted pastas from cacio e pepe to a simple tomato rendition, salads and pizzas to go hand in hand with the resident mixologist’s recommendations of delicious cocktails.
When golden hour comes around, head up to Seen by Oliver Rooftop Restaurant & Bar for a tipple or two overlooking the plaza, with a birds eye view of Michelangelo’s ancient Basilica of Santa Maria degi Angeli. The restaurant also dishes out delectable sushi as well as grilled meat platters.
Before you think you might have sampled enough of the hotel’s grub, fine dining restaurant INEO will certainly change your mind. A gastronomical journey by chef Heros De Agostinis that hones in on modern Roman cuisine that’s vibrant and balanced. Through his courses that are unconventionally presented, raw ingredients that are scoured around the world are interpreted through De Agostinis with sauces and recipes from different countries and cultures. Whilst that sounds like a mixed bag, what INEO nails is making the entire meal cohesive. From red prawns in passion fruit emulsion and black cod with a piquant lime curry to the best maccheroni to ever score in Rome, with neatly plated pasta strips cooked in madeira sauce, beef stew and livened with a 24-month aged parmesan foam.
The neighbourhood: In normal circumstances for spring, the hotel would have rung in Anantara Concorso, an inaugural luxury event that brings a fleet of the most exclusive Italian cars and collectors in the centre of Rome. Alongside the action, a series of happenings to take place in the vein of la dolce vita, including hospitality, cuisine and style. Now, with the highly-anticipated event shelved to 2026, there was still much to uncover especially given the prime location at Anantara. Consider booking a Vespa side car for your sojourn, with a humorous guided tour around the neighbourhood and stop by iconic landmarks like the Coliseum, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. With the sun on your side, the sky is the limit when in Rome.
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