Zaha Hadid’s Romeo Roma Hotel Redefines Roman Grandeur

 All photography by Chris Dalton

This is no ordinary hotel: Romeo Roma is beyond. The late Zaha Hadid, and her team of architects at ZHA, reinvented and transformed the 16th-century Palazzo Capponi in Rome’s Tridente neighborhood over the course of 12 years into a boutique hotel with meticulous details that surpass luxury straight into opulence. While this project was extensively covered in the press when it was completed in late 2024, the 76-room hotel is such an extraordinary design-forward aesthetic feat that we felt it warranted a snapshot in The Comm Sheet.

Lavish in detail yet mindful of the environment, the hotel's design incorporates sourced wood, waste reduction, energy-efficient machines, and more. Nothing was sacrificed and no expense was spared in the design of this elegant and indulgent hospitality space: Italian marble and Renaissance details lend a modern, even futuristic, style that spans eras and melds with historic detail. Works by contemporary artists—including Christian Leperino, Mario Schifano, Mimmo Paladino, and Francesco Clemente—stand alongside original artifacts found during excavations, such as a marble head of Livia Drusilla and original frescos featured in five of the guest suites.

While many hotels offer dining and amenities, Romeo Roma distinguishes itself with experiences that embody exceptional 5-star luxury. Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse curated the fine dining restaurant Il Ristorante Alain Ducasse, led by executive chef Stéphane Petit. There is an expansive wellness center featuring a Sisley Spa with a pink Italian rock salt relaxation room, a fitness center, an indoor/outdoor pool, and a rooftop bar. If you do get the chance to visit, make sure you look up, as the ceilings are not to be missed!

—Louis Noha