From the outside, the 5 star-de-luxe Parco dei Principi Grand Hotel looks like one of the most unassuming, if not plain dull, places to stay in Rome. However, this uninspiring façade hides a world of pampering and baroque elegance behind its doors. The highlight of this hotel is the open-air swimming pool, definitely an asset to cool down in the heated summer months. The décor may appear somewhat tired, but the ultra stylish 21,500-square feet spa can make you forget it all in favour of a true royal treatment. The Spa was given the aristocratic name ‘Prince’ for the Italian 2010/2011 Spa Awards Winner, and also has another novelty which is the arrival of Executive Chef, Agostino Petrosino at the ‘Pauline Borghese’ restaurant.

The hotel is not within walking distance from the main central attractions – except for the Galleria Borghese, which is a ten-minute walk – but it does allow you to cut through the lush Villa Borghese and get atop of the Spanish Steps in 20 minutes.