In Short…. A grand palazzo on the sea, just 30 minutes from the city center and from the Fiumicino airport–my favorite place to decompress after a long flight, or after a hectic and hot couple of days in Rome.
The vibe….While it’s like staying in a museum, with creative director Marie-Louise’s hand everywhere, it feels more sexy chic villa. This 17th century Renaissance villa was the former home of the art collector tycoon John Paul Getty was bought by Roberto Sciò (who started the Pellicano Hotel) many decades ago, who raised his kids here, including Marie-Louise, who is now the CEO and creative director of the Pellicano Hotel Group. Both she and her father care so much about preserving its great history–besides Getty’s incredible collection of antiques, there are the remains of a 2nd century bc Roman villa. The preservation determination is so strong that recently, when Marie-Louise and Roberto discovered that the facade color (a sort of terracotta) wasn’t historically correct, they went through all the complications to get permission to bring it back to what it was intended to be. At the same time, they discovered that there had previously been large windows in the area that is now the dining room, and were able to put them back in, which has given that room so much more energy and light.
The rooms….It’s so nice to be in a hotel that is confident enough to let its history be the story. Each room is so different, from the Getty Suite which has the most elegant bathroom I’ve ever been in, to the Colonna Suite with its completely pink tiled bathroom. You’re here for the history and the character–it’s the opposite of the Aman approach. Ask for a seafront room, and if possible, a corner one!
Food and drink….The cacio e pepe is incredible here, as is their pomodoro. But their club sandwich is one of my favorites–nothing better than a Campari spritz and that club sandwich with that view of the sea.
Date of stay: May 26, 2023
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