Luxury Hotel · Italy
Hotel de Russie (Rocco Forte)
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At a glance
Hotel de Russie has occupied the same address on Via del Babuino since 1818, sitting between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps. At the heart of the property sits the Secret Garden, a 0.7-acre terraced oasis designed by Giuseppe Valadier.
Palm trees, citrus plants, climbing roses and mature pine surround a small waterfall that flows between three nymphaeums, creating a sense of seclusion that feels almost impossible in the center of Rome.
Among its most celebrated guests was Pablo Picasso, who stayed here for several months in 1917 alongside Jean Cocteau while preparing the first ever Cubist ballet. Both have suites named in their honor, as does the ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky, a frequent visitor to the hotel.
The restaurant opens onto the garden, the Stravinskij Bar is one of Rome’s most celebrated aperitivo destinations, and the Irene Forte Spa takes the garden itself as its design inspiration.
Highlights
- Five-star Rocco Forte hotel on Via del Babuino, between Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps
- 0.7-acre terraced Secret Garden designed by Giuseppe Valadier, with a waterfall and three nymphaeums
- Stravinskij Bar, one of Rome’s most celebrated aperitivo destinations
Accommodation
Rooms
Rooms and suites have been designed by Olga Polizzi in a natural colour palette, weaving classical Roman motifs with contemporary comforts.
Rooms begin with the Superior, a well-proportioned city or garden-view category that blends classical sculpture and contemporary photography into its design. The Deluxe rooms step up in size and add a sitting and working area, with the garden-view configuration among the most peaceful in the hotel.
Suites
Each suite draws on the heritage and culture of Rome for its identity. Two stand apart. The Picasso Suite, named for the artist who stayed here in 1917, pays tribute to its namesake through expressive, considered décor and terrace views over the Secret Garden and the Pincio.
The Nijinsky Suite, the signature of the collection at 172 square metres, blends bold contemporary furnishings with classical luxury and looks out over the garden, Villa Borghese and the Pincio.
Further information
Food & Drink
Le Jardin
The hotel’s main restaurant, serving Italian cuisine from an elegant dining room that opens directly onto the Secret Garden terrace at the foot of the Pincio. Surrounded by mature pine and flowering citrus, it is one of the most atmospheric places to eat in Rome, available for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Stravinskij Bar
One of the city’s most celebrated meeting points, serving cocktails under the stars in the hotel’s piazzetta. The bar makes its own homemade Aperol, used in the signature Stravinskij Spritz, and has been a favourite of Romans and visitors for decades.
Aquazzura Bar
The hotel’s newest addition, serving tequila cocktails paired with small bites by chef Fulvio Pierangelini, set against the backdrop of the Secret Garden on Aquazzura tableware.
Spa & Wellness
The Irene Forte Spa takes the Secret Garden as its design inspiration, with organic textures, soft lighting and muted tones bringing the garden indoors. Sicilian touches recall the colours of a southern Italian garden, while marble accents and terracotta flooring nod to Roman heritage.
Five treatment rooms, including two double rooms, deliver a curated menu of holistic wellness and skincare treatments. A saltwater hydro pool, sauna and steam room sit alongside a relaxation lounge serving fresh juices and herbal infusions, and the Forte Vita Bar offering express facials, hair and nail services.
A Technogym-equipped gym completes a wellness offer that covers every preference from early morning training to late afternoon recovery.
Italy
Italy is a long, narrow country running from the Alps in the north to Sicily and the Mediterranean in the south. The geography changes faster than the language. Alpine lakes (Como, Garda, Maggiore) in the north. Industrial cities, fashion and finance in Milan and Turin. The Renaissance cities of the central plain (Florence, Bologna, Siena). The capital and ancient sites in Rome. The southern coastlines of the Amalfi, Puglia and Calabria.
Our Experts
Italy is one of the best places in Europe to experience culture, food and beautiful scenery. With so much character and colour, the Amalfi Coast is a personal favourite of mine.
I never get tired of planning luxury vacations in Italy. There are so many magical cities and experiences to be enjoyed. Beaches, mountains and rolling countryside, there really is something for everyone.
Stellar service. Stellar products. Stellar people and it gets so much better when you pick up the phone and call.
Anthony S.
Super client centred service. From first contact I have had warm, efficient, friendly and flexible service.
John
I’m confident in giving Out Of Office a 5-star review! They are one of the leaders in this space without a doubt.
Tiberiu
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Frequently asked questions
What does Out Of Office do?
Out Of Office is a luxury LGBTQ+ travel company specializing in tailor-made vacations and extraordinary journeys around the world. We create bespoke luxury vacations, LGBTQ+ honeymoons, safaris, cruises, beach escapes, private tours and group trips, with every itinerary designed around you. Our travel specialists combine global expertise, first-hand destination knowledge and trusted local partners to create seamless, highly personalized experiences.
Is Out Of Office a gay travel agency?
Out Of Office is an LGBTQ+ owned and run luxury travel specialist, with particular expertise in gay and LGBTQ+ travel. We understand the additional considerations that can come with traveling as an LGBTQ+ person or couple, from local laws and customs to finding genuinely welcoming hotels and experiences.
We welcome every traveler, including friends, families and allies. Many of our clients are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, but choose Out Of Office for our luxury travel expertise, personalized service and discretion.
Do you create tailor-made LGBTQ+ vacations?
Yes. Every tailor-made trip with Out Of Office is designed from scratch around your interests, travel style, budget and the way you want to experience a destination. We can arrange luxury hotels, private transfers, flights, guides, excursions, cruises and special experiences as part of one personalized itinerary. The journeys shown on our website are there to inspire you rather than restrict you; only clearly identified group departures operate as fixed itineraries.
How do you choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and destinations?
We combine first-hand destination knowledge with trusted local expertise to recommend luxury hotels, resorts and experiences where LGBTQ+ travelers can feel informed and welcome. We also consider the laws, customs and attitudes of each destination, because LGBTQ+ rights and experiences differ around the world. Our team regularly visit many of the properties we work with and where a destination requires greater awareness, we give you clear and considered advice so that you can make an informed decision about where and how you travel.
We plant trees for every booking
For every booking made with Out Of Office we commit to planting trees in your name to help reduce the impact of travel on future generations. You'll even get a link to see where your trees are planted in the world via our partner Ecologi.
We donate to Rainbow Railroad with every booking
Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQ+ people escape state-sponsored violence and persecution. A donation goes with every trip we sell, funded by us and never added to your price.
Start Planning Your Trip
Tell us where you would love to go, when you are thinking of traveling and what kind of trip you have in mind. One of our LGBTQ+ travel specialists will create a tailor-made itinerary designed around your destination, style and preferences.
One named specialist, first inquiry to homecoming. No call center, and nothing is charged until you decide to book.