There’s a magical atmosphere in Rome as a result of its long history and the spirit of its people. However, sadly, the real magic of the city is hidden to many tourists who don’t know where to look; only through the eyes of a local can you can fully appreciate and notice the hidden gems. Luckily, The St. Regis hotel experience gives you the chance to see the real Rome.

The St. Regis emulates and captures the magic of Rome. Its location is a historic, protected landmark in the city and it has been around since opening as the Grand Hotel in 1984. Like Rome itself, The St. Regis has been able to maintain a strong legacy with the past, with art and furniture from the 17th and 18th centuries; it hosts some of the most famous people in the world, including princesses, queens, celebrities and many others. Though the walls can’t talk, we got the special people who run the hotel – the butlers – to give us their insights. The butlers at the St. Regis are masters at helping their guests get the most personalised, unique experiences that Rome can deliver – and it’s the special, long-standing relationship that the hotel and its butlers have with the local community that helps guests depart after having truly experienced the city to its fullest. These butlers come from a variety of career backgrounds and from all around the world. By connecting, understanding and engaging with guests, they’re able to understand what people really want out of this gorgeous city. This includes things such as helping rent out the Vatican, setting up a special anniversary surprise, or revealing what bars and restaurants are actually worth checking out. We took advantage of the knowledge and connections that the butlers at The St. Regis have in creating personalised and authentic experiences for their guests, and we’re happy to share their specialised guide of the city for #legend.

Art & History

Palazzo Doria Pamphilj

The Palazzo Doria Pamphilj is the best-known private gallery in Rome. The mansion houses valuable works by great masters such as Raphael, Tiziano, Caravaggio, Brueghel the Elder, Velazquez and Bernini. (Via del Corso 305, +39 066797323)

Chiesa Santa Maria della Vittoria

Santa Maria della Vittoria, Our Lady of Victory in English, is a basilica dating from the seventeenth century. It was built to commemorate Emperor Ferdinand II’s victory at the battle of White Mountain. One of the most notable parts of the church is the Cornaro Chapel that houses the “Ecstasy of Saint Teresa”, a sculpture by Bernini. This figure is considered to be a sculptural masterpiece of the Baroque period. (Via 20 Settembre 17, +39 0642740571)

Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri

Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri was designed by Michelangelo and is the only Renaissance style church in Rome. (Piazza della Repubblica, +39 064880812)

Baths of Diocletian

Commissioned by the Emperor Diocletian in 298 AD, the Baths of Diocletian had a capacity of over 3,000 people. This bath complex was the largest of ancient Rome. The hotel in collaboration with the museum created the special Evolution of a Districtexperience: a unique way to embark on an extraordinary journey through space and time with our special virtual reality viewers and discover the history of the Baths of Diocletian. (Viale Enrico de Nicola 79, +39 06480201)

Food & Fashion

Selleria Federico Polidori

Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri was designed by Michelangelo and is the only Renaissance style church in Rome. (Piazza della Repubblica, +39 064880812)

Antica Manifattura Cappelli

Historic hat shop(Via degli Scipioni 46, +39 06 39725679)

Chez Dede

Chez Dede is an independent brand with a french-italian passport and an international audience founded in 2011 by Andrea Ferolla and Daria Reina. Exclusive collections of accessories, fashion, home decor and jewels stand alongside small éditions de charme and collaborations with worldwide luxury brands. Italian craftsmanship, exquisite materials, nonchalance and esprit de finesse are the distinctive trademarks of the brand. (Via di Monserrato 35, +39 06 8377 2934)

Campo de Fiori Market and Jewish Ghetto

Campo de Fiori Market and Jewish GhettoFor the best Roman artichokes. (To bay and to eat at the restaurant)

Casina Valadier

The Casina Valadier was built between 1816 and 1837 by Giuseppe Valadier, a renowned Roman architect and urban planner, as part of the imposing work of renovation of Piazza del Popolo and the Pincian Hill in Rome. Wonderful view of the town with great selection of Roman dishes. (Piazza Bucarest, +39 06 69922090)

Antica Pesa

Located in Trastevere, open since 1922. Wonderful frescos painted inside and also very nice garden for an out-door dinner. (Via Garibaldi 18, +39 06 5809236)

Rimessa Roscioli

This local restaurant is founded on research, simplicity, and the value of the ingredients. Classic Capitoline dishes are presented side by side, with excellent quality products, of both Italian and international make, selected over the years with great care and passion. (Via del Conservatorio 58, +39 06 68803914)

Pianostrada

The all-female squad of Pianostrada welcomes guest in a lovely location over the river, complete with a pretty interior garden and large open kitchen. Freshly baked bread and foccacia are used to make excellent and there are creative salads, pastas and secondi as well as home-made desserts and cakes. (Via delle Zoccolette 22, +39 06 89572296)

Tourist Spots

St Peter Basilica

Located on Piazza San Pietro, open from Monday to Sunday. Every Wednesday, due to the Papal Audience remain closed a few hours in the morning. November to March from 07:00 am to 06.00 pm. April to October from 07:00 am to 7:00 pm. Last entrance permitted is one hour prior the closing time.

The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel

Open from Monday to Saturday. From 8:30 am to 4:00 pm last entrance, exit 6:00 pm.

Closed every Sunday except from the last of the Month, open from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm last entrance, exit 2:00 pm, and the entrance is free. time and opening days may change during the year.

Coliseum

Located on Piazza del Colosseo, open from Monday to Sunday. Symbol of the city of Rome in the world. Place where the Romans were representing all the battles against the other countries to show to the Roman people the great power they had during that centuries.

The Imperial Forum

Located on Via dei Fori Imperiali, open from Monday to Sunday. The most important Roman Emperors wanted to leave their sign building a Forum called with their name such as: August’s Forum, Caesar’s Forum and Trajan’s Forum.

The Roman Forum

Located on Piazza Santa Maria Nova 53, open from Monday to Sunday. The Forum was the center of the Roman culture, the aggregation point for the Roman People at that time, there were the Market, the Tribunal, the most important religious buildings that you will find inside are the Titus Arch, the Basilica of Maxentius, the Temple of Antonio and Faustina, the Vestal house and Temple, The Septimius Severus arch, and the Holy Road That goes to the Capitol Hill.

Fontana di Trevi

Located on Piazza di Trevi, The Rome’s most famous fountain. A traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they have ensured a return to Rome.

Piazza Navona

One of the most beautiful and famous squares in Rome here you can admire masterpieces by artists like Bernini, Borromini. Here you find the three Fountains, they represent a magnificent example of Baroque building.

Piazza di Spagna

This square is characterized by the big flight of steps of Trinita’ dei Monti at whose foot lays the elegant fountain of Barcaccia by Pietro Bernini. This is also the heart of Rome shopping district (Via Del Corso – Via dei Condotti – Via del Babbuino).

The Pantheon

Immense Dome symbol of the vault of heaven, is a building in which was originally built as a temple to “all the gods” of Ancient Rome. The generic term Pantheon is now applied to a monument in which illustrious dead are buried. It is the best preserved of all Roman buildings, and perhaps the best preserved building of its age in the world. It has been in continuous use throughout its history. Open from 08:30 am to 07:30 pm. On Sundays from 09:00 am to 06:00 pm. The admission is free.

Villa Borghese

A suburban villa once belonging to the Borghese family where you will find inside the famous Borghese gallery, one of Rome’s most beautiful museums, visit the wonderful sculptures and paintings realized by Caravaggio and Gian Lorenzo.